Insurers in the state must offer you UMPD, which covers property damage after an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver. If you want to decline that insurance coverage, you must do so in writing.

3 types of uninsured motorist coverage

Uninsured motorist bodily injury

UM bodily injury covers medical expenses after an accident with an at-fault driver who doesn't carry even the minimum required car insurance.

Underinsured motorist bodily injury

UIM bodily injury covers medical expenses after an accident with an at-fault driver that has insurance, but whose limits aren’t high enough to pay for all the damages.

Uninsured motorist property damage

UMPD covers repairs to your vehicle caused by a driver who does not have insurance, or who has too little insurance to cover the full amount of damages.

Why uninsured motorist insurance is worth it in Texas

Adding uninsured motorist insurance to your current auto insurance policy will increase your premiums—but it’s well worth the added protection.

Texas is #8 in the nation for hit-and-run accidents: UM/UIM coverage can help if you’re the victim of a hit-and-run car accident—and Texas has the eighth-highest number of fatal hit-and-run accidents nationwide.1

Up to 1 in 13 Texas drivers are uninsured: Approximately 8.3% of all drivers in Texas are uninsured.2 This rate is often higher in large urban areas, like Dallas, El Paso, and Harris Counties.

Texas is the sixth most expensive state for ER visits: With average hospital costs of around $2,318 per visit, Texas ranks as the sixth most expensive state for emergency room visits.3 Even if you get into an accident and the at-fault driver has an insurance policy that meets the

minimum car insurance requirements

in Texas, their coverage limits may still not be enough to pay for your medical bills.

If you have collision insurance, you might not need UM: Both coverages pay to fix your vehicle after an accident. If your policy includes collision coverage, adding uninsured motorist coverage might be unnecessary. Speak to an agent or broker to determine what’s best for you.

It costs about $50-75 for Texas UM insurance

On average, most drivers pay less than $100 per year to add uninsured motorist coverage to their existing auto policy.

While waving this insurance might seem cheaper in the short term, a hit-and-run or accident with an uninsured driver could leave you with huge out-of-pocket costs.

If you’re on a budget: Consider shopping around for coverage. An online broker like

Jerry

can help you compare rates from multiple companies to find you the best price for the coverage you need—all in less than a minute!

Your UM limits will match your liability insurance limits

Your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage limits cannot be higher than your standard liability policy limits. If your liability insurance has limits of 100/300/100, your UM, UM, and UMPD must be the same.

If you want your insured motorist coverage limits to be lower than your liability limits, you’ll need to sign a form that allows your insurance company to do this. You can usually adjust your UM coverage in increments of $5,000.

“I just had to buy a new car, and I needed quick help to get insurance before I could get my plates. Because I work so many hours, Jerry was the ideal choice for getting things done without long phone calls and waiting periods.” —Rosa G.

FAQs

Is uninsured motorist coverage required in the state of Texas?

No. Your insurance company must offer you UM coverage, but you don’t have to purchase it. That said, it’s a good idea for most drivers—especially if you don’t have a full-coverage policy.

Do you need uninsured motorist coverage if you have collision insurance?

You may not need UM if you already have collision insurance. But keep in mind that the deductible for UM is usually $250, while most collision coverage deductibles are $500 to $1,000.

Does an uninsured motorist claim raise your insurance rates in Texas?

Most insurance companies will not increase your rate for a not-at-fault accident. If your rate goes up after a UM claim, consider shopping around for a more affordable rate with another insurance provider.