Updated April 2026
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.
- You're stopped at a red light when a driver with no insurance rear-ends you. You have $8,000 in medical bills, miss three weeks of work losing $3,200 in wages, and your vehicle sustains $6,500 in damage. Your Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury coverage pays the $8,000 medical and $3,200 lost wages. If you have Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (available in your state) or collision coverage, that pays the $6,500 vehicle repair minus your deductible.
- Someone hits your parked car and flees the scene. You have no way to identify the driver. Your police report documents the hit-and-run. Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (if your state offers it and you purchased it) covers the $4,200 repair after you pay your deductible. If you weren't in the vehicle and suffered no injuries, UMBI doesn't apply—but if you'd been inside and injured, it would cover your medical costs up to your policy limits.
- A driver with only the state minimum $25,000 liability limit causes a crash that leaves you with $85,000 in medical bills and permanent disability. Their insurer pays their $25,000 limit. Your Underinsured Motorist coverage (often sold alongside uninsured motorist) pays the remaining $60,000 if you carry at least $85,000 in UIM limits. Without this coverage, you'd be left suing the at-fault driver personally for the $60,000 shortfall—unlikely to recover much if they carry minimum insurance and few assets.
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. It's also essential if you live in a state with high uninsured driver rates (above 15%), drive in urban areas with frequent hit-and-runs, or don't have health insurance robust enough to cover major accident injuries. 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.
Compare the annual cost of UM coverage (typically $60 to $180) against your financial exposure: could you cover $50,000 in medical bills and lost income out-of-pocket if an uninsured driver injures you? 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?
Uninsured Motorist Coverage typically adds $5 to $15 per month ($60 to $180 annually) to your premium for standard UMBI limits.
- Your coverage limits—$25,000/$50,000 UMBI costs less than $100,000/$300,000, but higher limits matter more if you're already facing elevated rates from a DUI or violation.
- Your state's uninsured driver rate—states with more uninsured motorists (like Florida, Mississippi, and New Mexico with rates above 20%) charge more because claims are statistically more likely.
- Whether you add Uninsured Motorist Property Damage or just Bodily Injury—UMPD typically adds another $3 to $8 monthly in states that offer it separately.
- Your own driving record—if you're already rated as high-risk due to a DUI, SR-22 requirement, or at-fault accidents, insurers may charge 15% to 30% more for UM coverage than they'd charge a clean-record driver.
- 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.
- Your deductible on UMPD (where applicable)—choosing a $500 deductible instead of $250 can reduce your UMPD premium by 10% to 20%.