In almost every state, a driver is legally required to carry at least minimal liability car insurance- though this doesn’t protect drivers from accidents with uninsured motorists. In fact, according to the Insurance Research Council (IRCL), about 1 in 8 drivers do not have auto insurance.

You never know if you’ll encounter an uninsured driver, but it could happen to anyone. The good news is there’s a way of being prepared in the event that someone without auto insurance hits your car.

Uninsured motorist coverage is an optional insurance that most states offer, but in some areas it’s mandatory. For example, California mandates this for drivers who don’t carry liability insurance. If you get into an accident with a driver who has no insurance, your unsured motorist coverage will step in and help cover medical expenses and anything lost from either injury or other costs.

If you don’t have uninsured motorist coverage, the at-fault driver can be taken to court to sue for these incurred expenses. However, this could take a lot of time and money with nothing guaranteed in return, so you may end up paying out of pocket for any injuries. You should get collision insurance instead since it would be used to help fix your vehicle when you hit the road. The other option is uninsured motorist protection which gives you peace of mind on the roads ahead.