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Uninsured motorist coverage for trucks in Texas: did you reject it?
Uninsured motorist coverage for trucks in Texas stays on your policy unless you reject it in writing. Learn what it does and how to check.
Questions about how this applies to you? Talk to a licensed agent who ran his own authority.
Uninsured motorist coverage for trucks is easy to skip without noticing. In Texas, it is part of your auto policy unless you reject it in writing. Many drivers sign a stack of forms when they buy a policy and never know they turned it down. This article explains what this coverage does, what Texas law says, and how to check what you signed.
What uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is
Uninsured motorist coverage (UM) can pay for your losses when another driver causes a crash and has no insurance. Underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) can help when the other driver has insurance, but not enough to pay for the damage they caused. Together they are called UM/UIM.
Think of it this way. Your liability coverage pays for harm you cause to others. UM/UIM helps protect you when the other driver is at fault and cannot pay. What it pays for, and how much, depends on the coverage you choose and your policy wording.
What Texas law says about uninsured motorist coverage for trucks
The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) explains the rule in its review requirements for commercial auto policies. Under the Texas Insurance Code, sections 1952.101 to 1952.110, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage must be provided unless the named insured rejects it in writing.
In plain words: in Texas, UM/UIM goes on the policy by default. It comes off only if the named insured signs a written rejection. The named insured is the person or company named on the policy, usually you or your trucking company.
TDI also notes that the forms used to select or reject this coverage are not part of the policy. So you may not see that page when you read your policy later. You have to ask for it.
Why it matters for an owner-operator
When another driver hits your truck, you expect their insurance to pay. But that does not always happen. The other driver may have no insurance, or much less than the cost of the damage. Without UM/UIM, you may be left to deal with that gap through other coverage, if you have it, or on your own.
For an owner-operator, a crash also means days without the truck. Your income stops while bills keep coming. Knowing what you have before it happens lets you make a clear choice.
How to check your policy, step by step
- Ask your agent for a copy of any UM/UIM rejection form you signed. Remember, it is not part of the policy itself.
- Look at your declarations page. See if UM/UIM is listed and with what limits.
- Ask what it covers on your policy. Coverage can differ. Ask about injuries, damage to your truck and any deductible.
- Decide on purpose. If you want to add it back or change limits, ask your agent how and when it can be changed.
- Check again at renewal. Make sure your choice did not change by accident.
Mistakes to avoid
- Signing forms you did not read. A rejection form is one page, but it changes your coverage.
- Assuming liability protects you. It protects other people from you, not you from them.
- Not asking about your truck. Ask how a crash with an uninsured driver would work with your physical damage coverage.
To see how UM/UIM fits with the rest of a truck policy, read our trucking insurance coverage guide. If you are ever in a crash, our claims tips explain the first steps.
When to call us
Not sure if you rejected UM/UIM? Call us at 956-526-6727. We can help you find what you signed, explain your options and quote coverage. We never promise a price or that coverage will be accepted, but we will give you a clear answer.
Common questions
Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Texas? Texas law requires insurers to provide UM/UIM coverage unless the named insured rejects it in writing (Texas Insurance Code 1952.101-1952.110).
How do I know if I rejected UM/UIM? Ask your agent for the signed selection or rejection form. TDI says these forms are not part of the policy, so it may not be in your policy packet.
What is the difference between uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage? Uninsured covers a driver with no insurance. Underinsured covers a driver whose insurance is not enough to pay for the damage they caused.
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