Injury guide
PIP and UM/UIM coverage in Texas
Reviewed by Nolan Ryan McConville, Texas attorney since 2016 · Updated October 2026
When people think about car insurance after a crash, they usually think about the other driver's policy. But two parts of your own policy, personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM), often matter just as much.
Here is what each one does, when it applies, and why many Texas drivers have coverage they do not know about.
Your coverage
Why your own coverage matters
Texas requires drivers to carry at least 30/60/25 in liability coverage, and those minimums can run out quickly. That is where PIP and UM/UIM come in.
What 30/60/25 means
$30,000 for each injured person, $60,000 total per crash for injuries, and $25,000 for property damage.
Costs add up
A hospital stay, surgery or months of lost work can cost far more than $30,000.
Uninsured drivers
Some drivers on Dallas roads carry no insurance at all.
PIP
What PIP is
Personal injury protection is coverage on your own policy that can help pay medical bills and lost income after a crash.
Regardless of fault
PIP generally applies regardless of who was at fault, so you do not have to prove the other driver caused the crash to use it.
$2,500 minimum
Texas insurers must offer PIP with a minimum of $2,500 in coverage per person. Many people choose higher limits.
Passengers and household
PIP may also cover passengers in your vehicle and members of your household, depending on the policy.
UM/UIM
What UM/UIM is
UM/UIM coverage can pay for your injuries when the at-fault driver has no insurance, or not enough.
Uninsured motorist
Uninsured motorist coverage can pay when the at-fault driver has no insurance.
Underinsured motorist
Underinsured motorist coverage can pay when the at-fault driver has some insurance, but not enough to cover your losses.
Hit-and-run claims
UM can also apply when a hit-and-run driver cannot be identified. Policies often require actual physical contact with the other vehicle and prompt reporting. Read your policy for the exact terms.
Rejection rule
The written-rejection rule
Texas insurers must include PIP and UM/UIM with auto policies. Both apply unless the insured rejected them in writing.
A common assumption
Many people assume they declined coverage when they never signed a rejection.
Get your policy
If you are not sure what you have, ask your insurer for a copy of your policy and your declarations page.
Ask for the form
If the company says you rejected coverage, ask for the signed rejection form.
Filling gaps
How UIM can fill the gap
Once the at-fault driver's coverage is used up, your own UIM coverage may help pay the difference, up to your UIM limit and subject to your policy's terms.
An illustration
With made-up numbers: the at-fault driver carries the $30,000 minimum per person, and your medical bills, lost income and other damages are well above that.
Notice rules
The details matter, including how your insurer must be notified.
Insurer consent
Check whether your insurer must consent before you accept the other driver's policy limits.
Read before settling
Read your policy, or have a lawyer read it, before you settle with the at-fault driver.
Not fault
Using PIP and UM/UIM does not mean you were at fault
Some people worry that using their own coverage means admitting fault. It does not.
PIP pays regardless
PIP is designed to pay regardless of fault.
Why UM/UIM exists
UM/UIM exists precisely because the other driver was at fault but cannot fully pay.
No admission of fault
Using your own PIP or UM/UIM coverage is not an admission that you caused the crash.
Your insurer
Your insurer is not on your side in a UM/UIM claim
A UM/UIM claim is a claim against your own insurance company, but the relationship changes: your insurer essentially stands in the shoes of the at-fault driver.
Expect questions
It may question how the crash happened, whether your treatment was necessary and what your injuries are worth.
Give prompt notice
Many of the same cautions apply as with the other driver's insurer. Give prompt notice, as your policy requires.
Statements and authorizations
Be careful with recorded statements and broad medical authorizations.
Keep good records
Keep good records of your treatment and losses.
PIP claims
How to start a PIP claim
PIP claims are usually straightforward to open, but they go more smoothly when you are organized.
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01First call
Report and open a claim
Report the crash to your insurer and ask that a PIP claim be opened.
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02Next
Ask about forms
Ask what forms the insurer needs, such as an application for benefits or proof of lost income.
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03As bills arrive
Send bills and records
Send medical bills and records as you receive them.
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04Every time
Keep copies
Keep copies of everything you send, and note the dates.
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05If paid less
Ask for explanations
Ask your insurer to explain any payment it denies or reduces, in writing.
- Report the crash to your insurer and ask that a PIP claim be opened.
- Ask what forms the insurer needs, such as an application for benefits or proof of lost income.
- Send medical bills and records as you receive them.
- Keep copies of everything you send, and note the dates.
- Ask your insurer to explain any payment it denies or reduces, in writing.
When it matters
When these coverages often matter in Dallas
PIP and UM/UIM can make a real difference in several common Dallas situations.
Low or no insurance
The other driver had only minimum limits and your injuries cost more, or had no insurance at all.
A driver who fled
A hit-and-run driver fled the scene.
Bills right away
You need help paying medical bills right away while the liability claim is still pending.
Walking or cycling
You were hurt as a pedestrian or cyclist, and your own auto policy may still apply depending on its terms.
- The other driver had only minimum limits, and your injuries cost more.
- The other driver had no insurance.
- A hit-and-run driver fled the scene.
- You need help paying medical bills right away while the liability claim is still pending.
- You were hurt as a pedestrian or cyclist, and your own auto policy may still apply depending on its terms.
Policy check
Check your coverage before you need it
Choices about coverage are personal, but they are easier to make before a crash than after one.
Pull your declarations page
Look for PIP and UM/UIM on your declarations page.
Note the limits
Note the limits for each one.
Past rejections
If you rejected either one in the past, talk with your agent about whether that still makes sense.
Agent questions
Questions to ask your agent
If you are reviewing your policy, these questions can help.
PIP limits
Do I have PIP, and what is the limit per person?
UM/UIM limits
Do I have UM/UIM for bodily injury, and what are the limits?
Signed rejections
Did I ever sign a rejection of PIP or UM/UIM? Can I see it?
Who is covered
Who in my household is covered, and in what situations?
- Do I have PIP, and what is the limit per person?
- Do I have UM/UIM for bodily injury, and what are the limits?
- Did I ever sign a rejection of PIP or UM/UIM? Can I see it?
- Who in my household is covered, and in what situations?
Next step
Talk to Nolan
After a crash, Nolan reviews every insurance policy that may apply, including your own PIP and UM/UIM, so nothing gets left on the table.
Help with coverage
If you were hurt in Dallas and want help understanding your coverage, Nolan can go through it with you.
Free consultation
The consultation is free, and there is no attorney's fee unless money is recovered.
Call Nolan
Call Nolan at (214) 706-4031.
Related cases
Related practice areas
Car accidents
Hit-and-run accidents
Motorcycle accidents
Uber and Lyft accidents
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