Underinsured Motorist Coverage in Washington

By the FigureMyTax Editorial Team · How we calculate

In Washington, a vehicle is underinsured when the sum of the liability limits applicable to you is less than the damages you are legally entitled to recover. Your own fault reduces damages but never bars recovery, and you generally have three years to sue.

Definition

RCW 48.22.030(1) defines an underinsured motor vehicle as one with no bodily injury or property damage liability bond or policy applicable at the accident, or one for which the sum of the limits of all such bonds and policies applicable to you is less than the damages you are legally entitled to recover.

How it pays

The statute does not say how UIM is calculated against the other driver's payment. The calculator shows an on-top-of-it reading and a reduced-by-limits reading; your policy and Washington court decisions, which we did not read, decide. With $100,000 of UIM, $25,000 paid and $250,000 of damages, they give $100,000 and $75,000.

Fault

Contributory fault diminishes proportionately the compensatory damages but does not bar recovery (RCW 4.22.005). Washington has no no-fault threshold for pain and suffering.

Deadlines

Actions for injury to the person must be commenced within three years (RCW 4.16.080(2)).

Next steps

Stacking is a separate question; see our statute post and the explainer, then use the Washington UIM stacking calculator.

This is general information, not legal advice, and the state comparisons above are illustrative, not an exhaustive survey. Confirm how Washington's rules apply to your specific case with a licensed Washington attorney.