What does "uninsured motorist coverage" protect the insured against?

Uninsured motorist coverage is specifically designed to protect the insured in situations where they are involved in an accident with a driver who does not have insurance. This coverage comes into play when the other driver is at fault and lacks the financial means to cover the damages resulting from the accident, including medical expenses and other losses the insured may experience. This type of coverage helps ensure that the insured is not left with significant out-of-pocket expenses when facing an accident caused by an uninsured driver, effectively providing a safety net for such unfortunate circumstances.

In contrast, the other options relate to different scenarios not covered by uninsured motorist protection. Damage to one's own vehicle in a collision would typically fall under collision coverage. Injury caused by one's own negligence is not addressed by this coverage and is generally managed through personal liability or other types of insurance. Personal property theft from the vehicle is covered under comprehensive insurance, not under uninsured motorist coverage. Thus, C is clearly the option that best reflects the purpose of uninsured motorist coverage.