Everything You Need to Know About Uninsured Motorist Coverage

If a driver hits you and they don’t have liability insurance, uninsured motorist coverage can help pay for bodily injury and property damage expenses.
Written by Andrea Barrett
Edited by Amy Bobinger
Uninsured motorist coverage protects you financially if you’re involved in an accident with a driver who does not have insurance, while underinsured motorist insurance protects you if you’re hit by a driver who doesn’t have enough coverage to pay for damages.
  • Uninsured motorist coverage kicks in when the at-fault driver doesn't have enough liability coverage to cover the cost of damages.
  • Uninsured motorist coverage isn’t mandatory in all states, but it’s recommended.
  • UM/UIM can help save you from out-of-pocket expenses if you’re involved in an accident you didn’t cause.
  • Adding uninsured motorist coverage to your policy generally costs more in states with a high percentage of uninsured drivers.

There are four types of uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage

An uninsured driver is a person who doesn’t have liability car insurance. If you’re in an accident and the other driver is at fault, their insurance should pay vehicle repair costs and medical bills for you and your passengers. However, if the other driver doesn’t have insurance, you can end up footing the bill. 
Uninsured motorist coverage closes the gap between your costs and the other driver’s ability to pay.
Here’s a breakdown of the four types of coverage.
If you’re hit by a driver who doesn’t have car insurance:
  • Uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI): Covers medical expenses for you and your passengers.
  • Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD): Pays for damage to your vehicle.
If you’re hit by a driver who doesn’t have enough car insurance:
  • Underinsured motorist bodily injury (UIMBI): Covers medical expenses for you and your passengers in excess of what the underinsured driver’s insurance covers.
  • Underinsured motorist property damage (UIMPD): Pays for damage to your vehicle in excess of what the underinsured driver’s insurance covers.
In the case of underinsured motorist coverage, the underinsured driver's insurance will usually pay for damages up to their auto insurance policy limits. After that, your UM/UIM coverage may cover the excess amount up to your policy limits.
Note: Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage usually covers expenses from a hit-and-run accident, but collision coverage may be required in certain states.
MORE: Does insurance cover a hit and run?

UM/UIM is a required coverage in some states

Having uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is a great way to protect yourself from hefty bills resulting from an accident, but it’s not required in every state as part of the minimum car insurance requirements. 
In some states, insurers are required to offer UM/UIM, even though it’s not required for drivers to carry it. In these states, drivers who wish to reject UM/UIM coverage must do so in writing.
Additionally, some states only allow drivers to purchase UMBI/UIMBI, so you’ll need to check whether UMPD/UIMPD is available where you live. If it isn’t, collision coverage will typically provide the same protection.
State
Bodily injury liability requirements
Property damage liability requirements
Uninsured motorist coverage requirements
Personal injury protection (PIP) requirements
Other insurance requirements
Alabama
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
$25,000 per accident
UM/UIM: optional; UMPD: not available
N/A
N/A
Alaska
$50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident
$25,000 per accident
UM/UIM/UMPD: optional
N/A
Coverage is not required in some remote areas
Arizona
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
$15,000 per accident
UM/UIM: optional; UMPD: not available
N/A
N/A
Arkansas
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
$25,000 per accident
UM/UIM: optional; UMPD: not available
N/A
N/A
California
$15,000 per person / $30,000 per accident
$5,000 per accident
UM/UIM/UMPD: optional
N/A
N/A
Colorado
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
$15,000 per accident
UM/UIM: optional; UMPD: not available
N/A
N/A
Connecticut
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
$50,000 per accident
UM/UIM: $25,000 per person/ $50,000 per accident; UMPD: not available
N/A
N/A
District of Columbia
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
$10,000 per accident
UM: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident; UMPD: $5,000 per occurrence; UIM: not available
N/A
N/A
Delaware
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
$10,000 per accident
UM/UIM/UMPD: optional
$15,000 per person / $30,000 per accident
N/A
Florida
Optional for most drivers
$10,000 per accident
UM/UIM: optional; UMPD: not available
$10,000 
N/A
Georgia
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
$25,000 per accident
UM/UIM/UMPD: optional
N/A
N/A
Hawaii
$20,000 per person / $40,000 per accident
$10,000 per accident
UM/UIM: optional; UMPD: not available
$10,000
N/A
Idaho
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
$15,000 per accident
UM/UIM: optional; UMPD: not available
N/A
N/A
Illinois
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
$20,000 per accident
UM/UIM: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident; UMPD: optional 
N/A
N/A
Indiana
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
$25,000 per accident
UM/UIM/UMPD: optional
N/A
N/A
Iowa
$20,000 per person / $40,000 per accident
$15,000 per accident
UM/UIM: optional; UMPD: not available
N/A
N/A
Kansas
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
$25,000 per accident
UM/UIM: $25,000 per person/ $50,000 per accident; UMPD: not available
$4,500
N/A
Kentucky
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
$25,000 per accident
UM/UIM: optional; UMPD: not available
Optional
N/A
Louisiana
$15,000 per person / $30,000 per accident
$25,000 per accident
UM/UIM/UMPD: optional
N/A
N/A
Maine
$50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident
$25,000 per accident
UM/UIM: $50,000 per person/ $100,000 per accident; UMPD: not available
N/A
Medical payments coverage: $2,000 per person
Maryland
$30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident
$15,000 per accident
UM/UIM: $30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident; UMPD: $15,000 per accident
$2,500 per accident
N/A
Massachusetts
$20,000 per person / $40,000 per accident
$5,000 per accident
UM: $20,000 per person / $40,000 per accident; UIM: optional; UMPD: not available
$8,000 per person
N/A
Michigan
$50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident
$10,000 per accident (only for accidents outside Michigan)
UM/UIM: optional; UMPD: not available
Six levels of coverage up to $250,000
Minnesota
$30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident
$10,000 per accident
UM/UIM: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident; UMPD: not available
$40,000 ($20,000 for medical expenses / $20,000 for lost wages)
N/A
Mississippi
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
$25,000 per accident
UM/UIM/UMPD: optional
N/A
N/A
Missouri
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
$25,000 per accident
UM: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident; UIM: optional; UMPD: not available
N/A
N/A
Montana
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
$20,000 per accident
UM/UIM: optional; UMPD: not available
N/A
N/A
Nebraska
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
$25,000 per accident
UM/UIM: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident; UMPD: not available
N/A
N/A
Nevada
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
$20,000 per accident
UM/UIM: optional; UMPD: not available
N/A
N/A
New Hampshire*
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
$25,000 per accident
UM/UIM: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident; UMPD: not available
N/A
Medical payments coverage: $1,000 per accident
New Jersey
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
$5,000 – $25,000 per accident 
UM/UIM/UMPD: optional
N/A
Some drivers can opt for a Basic Policy or Special Automobile Insurance Policy with low coverage limits
New Mexico
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
$10,000 per accident
UM/UIM/UMPD: optional
N/A
N/A
New York
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
$10,000 per accident
UM: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident; UIM: optional; UMPD: not available
$50,000 per person
Wrongful death: $50,000 per death/accident; $100,000 for multiple accidents
North Carolina
$30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident
$25,000 per accident
UM: $30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident; UIM: required if liability limits exceed state minimum; UMPD: $25,000 per accident
N/A
N/A
North Dakota
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
$25,000 per accident
UM/UIM: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident; UMPD: not available
$30,000 per person
N/A
Ohio
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
$25,000 per accident
UM/UIM/UMPD: optional
N/A
N/A
Oklahoma
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
$25,000 per accident
UM/UIM: optional; UMPD: not available
N/A
N/A
Oregon
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
$20,000 per accident
UM: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident; UIM: optional; UMPD: not available
$15,000 per person
N/A
Pennsylvania
$15,000 per person / $30,000 per accident
$5,000 per accident
UM/UIM: optional; UMPD: not available
$5,000 per person
N/A
Rhode Island
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
$25,000 per accident
UM/UIM: required if liability limits exceed state minimum; UMPD: optional
N/A
N/A
South Carolina
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
$25,000 per accident
UM: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident; UIM: optional; UMPD: $25,000 per accident
N/A
N/A
South Dakota
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
$25,000 per accident
UM/UIM: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident; UMPD: not available
N/A
N/A
Tennessee
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
$15,000 per accident
UM/UIM/UMPD: optional
N/A
N/A
Texas
$30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident
$25,000 per accident
UM/UIM/UMPD: optional
$2,500 (optional)
N/A
Utah
$25,000 per person / $65,000 per accident
$15,000 per accident
UM/UIM/UMPD: optional
$3,000 per person
Drivers can choose a single $80,000 coverage option for bodily injury liability and property damage liability.
Vermont
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
$10,000 per accident
UM/UIM: $50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident; UMPD: $10,000 per accident
N/A
N/A
Virginia*
$30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident
$20,000 per accident
UM/UIM: $30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident; UMPD: $20,000 per accident
N/A
Liability limits will increase to 50/100/25 in 2025
Washington
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
$10,000 per accident
UM/UIM/UMPD: optional
N/A
N/A
West Virginia
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
$25,000 per accident
UM: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident; UIM: optional; UMPD: $25,000 per accident
N/A
N/A
Wisconsin
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
$10,000 per accident
UM: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident; UIM: optional; UMPD: not available
N/A
N/A
Wyoming
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
$20,000 per accident
UM/UIM/UMPD: optional
N/A
N/A

Your UMBI/UIMBI limits should at least match your liability coverage

Having UMBI/UIMBI coverage is great for more financial protection against uninsured drivers, but how much do you need?
If your state requires you to purchase uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, you’ll need to buy at least the state-required liability limits.
For example, suppose you have liability limits of $30,000 for bodily injury per person and $60,000 for bodily injury per accident (also known as 30/60). In that case, you’ll want at least 30/60 in UM bodily injury coverage.
However, it doesn’t hurt to exceed the minimum limits. If you’re involved in an accident and sustain serious injuries, hospital bills can quickly exceed $30,000, depending on the extent of the injuries. 
The same goes for your car. If your $50,000 car is totaled in an accident with an uninsured driver, and you only have $20,000 worth of uninsured motorist property damage coverage, you’ll be on the hook for the remainder of the costs to replace your vehicle. In general, you’ll want to purchase UMPD that’s close to the value of your car to avoid significant out-of-pocket expenses. 

Some states allow you to stack your UM/UIM coverage

Depending on your state and insurance company, you may be able to “stack” your uninsured motorist insurance. For an extra fee, you can combine uninsured motorist bodily injury limits for multiple vehicles to increase the amount of insurance coverage for an accident.
There are two ways to do this:
  1. Stack coverage for two vehicles insured under one policy.
  2. Stack coverage for two vehicles insured under two policies in the same name.
Here’s an example. Let’s say you own two vehicles insured under the same policy, each with $60,000 worth of uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage. If you stack the coverage, any injury expenses from a car crash with an at-fault uninsured driver would be covered up to $120,000—the total stacked policy limit.
But not every state allows stacking. Some insurers have an “anti-stacking provision” that prevents multiple uninsured motorist insurance claims for a single accident.
If your state allows stacking, there are a few things to consider:
  1. Stacking typically costs more.
  2. You must choose to stack when you buy or renew a policy.
  3. UM coverage is only for accidents caused by others.
If you elect to stack your insurance, shopping around for multiple quotes with an
insurance comparison app
like Jerry might pay off to keep your costs low. 

UM/UIM and collision coverage may overlap

UM/UIM covers damages to your vehicle caused by a driver without insurance or without enough insurance to cover the total cost of damages. Collision coverage covers damages to your vehicle resulting from a crash with another motor vehicle. 
If you have collision coverage, you may wonder why UM is worth considering. While both coverages help cover the cost of vehicle damage after an accident, there are a few primary differences: 
  • In some states, UMPD will not cover a hit-and-run, so you’d need collision coverage to pay for damages to your car.
  • Collision and comprehensive don’t cover medical expenses if you’re hit by someone who doesn’t have insurance, but UMBI/UIMBI does.
  • UM helps cover the cost of things that don’t fall under collision and comprehensive insurance, like lost wages, funeral expenses, or pain and suffering.
Need to know: If your state law requires uninsured motorist coverage, you’ll have to purchase it regardless of whether you have collision or comprehensive insurance. 
The bottom line: If you don’t have a full-coverage insurance policy that includes collision and comprehensive, you may want to consider UM/UIM for greater financial protection—especially if you live in a state with a high rate of uninsured drivers.

UM/UIM may offer protections your health insurance doesn’t

As with collision and comprehensive, if your state requires uninsured motorist coverage, you’ll need it whether you have health insurance or not. Apart from covering the cost of an accident with an uninsured driver, UM/UIM also helps cover medical expenses where your health insurance may fall short.
Here are some points to consider before you pass on UM/UIM:
  • UM/UIM isn’t subject to a deductible, whereas health insurance policies often have a high deductible.
  • UM/UIM provide medical coverage for passengers without health insurance.
  • UM/UIM may offer financial protection beyond the limits of personal injury protection (PIP) and Medical Payments (MedPay).
  • An individual health insurance policy may not kick in until after the limits of your car insurance policy have been met.
  • Healthcare insurance typically doesn’t offer compensation for lost wages or funeral expenses.
Although UMBI/UIMBI may overlap with health care insurance, it still offers benefits that make it a worthwhile consideration to your car insurance policy.
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FAQs

If you’re in a car accident with someone who doesn’t have car insurance, uninsured motorist coverage may pay for your medical bills, funeral expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering compensation. In some states, you can also purchase uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD), which pays for damages to your car if an uninsured driver hits you. 
Yes—if you’re involved in a hit-and-run, you can file a claim against your policy's uninsured motorist coverage. However, uninsured motorist coverage for property damage (UMPD) will not cover hit-and-run incidents in certain states. If you reside in a state that doesn’t allow this, you’ll need collision coverage for insurance to cover vehicle damage from a hit-and-run driver.
There are no set limits for UM/UIM, but you’ll generally want to have at least equal amounts of UM/UIM as liability insurance. For example, if your liability insurance limits are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, you’ll want to choose the same limits (or more) for UMBI and UIMBI.
If you’re in a car crash where the other driver doesn't have car insurance, and you don’t have uninsured motorist coverage, you have two options: take legal action against the other driver or pay for the expenses out-of-pocket. However, the legal process can be time-consuming and costly, as can paying for vehicle damages and medical bills yourself.
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