Uninsured Motorist Coverage Explained
Uninsured Motorist Coverage pays for your injuries and vehicle damage when you're hit by a driver who has no insurance or insufficient coverage to pay your claim.
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What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage Insurance?
Uninsured Motorist Coverage has two components: Bodily Injury (UMBI) pays medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering when an uninsured driver injures you or your passengers. Property Damage (UMPD) covers repairs to your vehicle in states that offer it. This coverage also kicks in when you're hit by a driver whose insurance company denies the claim or goes bankrupt, and in most states, when you're injured in a hit-and-run. You file the claim through your own insurer, not the at-fault driver's—your carrier pays you, then pursues recovery from the uninsured driver.
Who Needs Uninsured Motorist Coverage Insurance?
You should carry Uninsured Motorist Coverage if you have an SR-22 or recent violations on your record—you're already paying elevated premiums and can't afford another financial hit from someone else's lack of insurance. If you carry low liability limits because of cost constraints from your driving record, uninsured motorist protects you when the other driver is in the same boat.
If the answer is no, carry it—the premium is trivial compared to the risk. Check your state's uninsured motorist rate and whether UM is required; if you're in a mandate state or your area has double-digit uninsured rates, this decision is already made for you.
How Much Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Insurance Cost?
- Stacking provisions—some states let you 'stack' UM limits across multiple vehicles on your policy (paying for two cars gives you double the coverage), which increases cost but can be worth it if you have serious injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage required?
More than 20 states require insurers to offer Uninsured Motorist Coverage, and you must reject it in writing if you choose not to buy it. States like Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, and North Carolina mandate you carry it—you cannot purchase liability-only insurance without UM in those states. In optional states like California, Arizona, and Texas, you can skip it entirely, though most agents strongly recommend it given that approximately 1 in 7 drivers nationwide lacks insurance.
Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage cover hit-and-runs?
Yes, Uninsured Motorist Coverage typically covers hit-and-run accidents in most states, treating the phantom driver as uninsured. You'll need to file a police report documenting the incident and provide any available evidence like witness statements or dashcam footage. Some states require you to exhaust efforts to identify the driver before your UM coverage pays, while others pay immediately as long as you have a police report on file.
Can I use Uninsured Motorist Coverage if I have health insurance?
Yes, you can use Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury coverage even if you have health insurance, and in many cases you should. UM covers expenses health insurance won't—like lost wages, pain and suffering, and out-of-pocket costs beyond your health plan's deductibles and co-pays. Your health insurer may have a right to reimbursement (subrogation) from your UM settlement, but UMBI often provides broader compensation than medical coverage alone.
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