You can drive carefully and carry great coverage, but you cannot control whether the other driver has insurance. That is where uninsured motorist coverage comes in.
This guide offers uninsured motorist coverage explained in plain English: what it pays for, when it applies, and how to choose the right limits.
Key takeaways
- Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage helps pay for your losses when an at-fault driver has no insurance.
- Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage helps when the at-fault driver's limits are too low.
- According to the Insurance Research Council, an estimated 15.4% of U.S. drivers were uninsured in 2023.
- Some states require UM or UIM, while others let you reject it in writing.
- Many drivers set UM and UIM limits to match their liability limits.
Why this coverage matters
If someone hits you and they have no insurance, you could be left paying for medical bills, lost wages, and car repairs yourself. Suing an uninsured driver is often not practical, because many have few assets to collect.
The risk is real. According to the Insurance Research Council (IRC), more than one in seven U.S. drivers, or about 15.4%, were uninsured in 2023. The IRC also estimates that about one in three drivers (33.4%) were either uninsured or underinsured that year.
Rates vary widely by state. The IRC found that Mississippi had the highest uninsured rate in 2023 at 28.2%, while Maine had the lowest at 5.7%.
What uninsured motorist coverage pays for
UM coverage usually comes in two parts:
- Uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI) helps pay for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering for you and your passengers when an uninsured driver is at fault.
- Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) helps pay to repair your car after a crash caused by an uninsured driver. It is not offered in every state, and it may come with a deductible.
In many states, UMBI also applies to hit-and-run crashes where the driver is never found.
What underinsured motorist coverage pays for
Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage helps when the at-fault driver has insurance, but not enough.
For example, say another driver causes a crash and your injury costs are much higher than their bodily injury limit. Their insurer pays up to its limit. Your UIM coverage can help pay the remaining costs, up to your own UIM limits.
Since many drivers carry only their state's minimum limits, UIM can be valuable. Check your state's minimums in our guide to minimum car insurance requirements by state.
UM, UIM, and other coverages compared
| Coverage | When it helps | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Uninsured motorist bodily injury | At-fault driver has no insurance or is a hit-and-run | Injuries to you and your passengers |
| Uninsured motorist property damage | At-fault driver has no insurance (where offered) | Damage to your car |
| Underinsured motorist | At-fault driver's limits are too low | Injury costs above their limits |
| Collision | Any crash, regardless of fault | Damage to your car, minus deductible |
| Medical payments or PIP | Any crash, regardless of fault | Medical bills for you and passengers |
If you already carry collision, it can also pay to repair your car after a crash with an uninsured driver, minus your deductible. Some drivers weigh UMPD against their collision coverage to avoid paying for overlapping protection.
State rules vary
States handle UM and UIM differently:
- Some states require drivers to carry UM coverage.
- Some states require both UM and UIM.
- Other states require insurers to offer it, but let you reject it in writing.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, state laws on mandatory uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage vary, and drivers should check with their state insurance department to see whether these coverages are required.
How to choose your limits
A common approach is to match your UM and UIM limits to your liability limits. The logic is simple: you probably want the same protection for yourself and your family that you provide to others.
Questions to ask yourself:
- How good is your health insurance? Strong health coverage may handle some medical bills, but it will not cover lost wages or pain and suffering.
- Do you have disability coverage? If not, UM can help replace lost income after an injury.
- How many people usually ride with you? Families who carpool may want higher per-accident limits.
- Do you have collision coverage? That affects whether UMPD is worth adding.
For help setting your overall limits, see our guide on how much car insurance you need.
Is UM coverage worth it if I have health insurance?
This is a common question. Health insurance can help with medical bills after a crash, so some drivers wonder whether uninsured motorist coverage is necessary. There are a few reasons many people keep both.
- Health insurance has its own costs. Deductibles, copays, and coinsurance can add up after a serious injury.
- Health insurance does not replace lost income. UM bodily injury coverage can help with lost wages if you cannot work.
- Health insurance does not pay for pain and suffering. UM coverage may include these damages, depending on your state.
- Your passengers may not have good health coverage. UM can help protect everyone in your car.
- Health insurance does not fix your car. UMPD or collision is needed for vehicle damage.
Stacking UM coverage
Some states allow "stacking," which lets you combine uninsured motorist limits across more than one vehicle on your policy. For example, if you insure two cars, stacking could let you draw on the UM limits for both in a single claim. Stacked coverage usually costs more, and not every state allows it. Ask your agent whether stacking is available where you live and whether it makes sense for your household.
What to do if an uninsured driver hits you
If you are in a crash with an uninsured driver or a hit-and-run:
- Call the police and get a report number
- Get medical care if you need it
- Take photos of the scene, vehicles, and injuries
- Write down witness names and contact information
- Notify your insurer promptly
For a full step-by-step checklist, read what to do after a car accident.
Protect yourself from other drivers
Uninsured motorist coverage is often affordable compared with how much it can protect. Quote4Us connects you with licensed insurance agencies in our network that can help you review UM and UIM options for your state. We are not an insurance company and do not sell policies.
Start your free auto insurance quote to compare coverage options in minutes.
This article is for general information only and isn't legal or insurance advice. Coverage and rules vary by state and insurer.
Frequently asked questions
It depends on where you live. Some states require uninsured motorist coverage, some also require underinsured motorist coverage, and others only require insurers to offer it so you can accept or reject it in writing. Check your state insurance department's website or ask a licensed agent to understand your state's rules.
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage applies when the at-fault driver has no liability insurance, or in many cases when the driver cannot be identified. Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage applies when the at-fault driver has insurance, but their limits are too low to cover your losses. Many policies combine the two.
Generally, uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage can help pay for injuries to you and the passengers in your car when an uninsured driver is at fault, up to your policy limits. It may also cover you and household members in some other situations, such as when walking. Coverage details vary by state and insurer, so read your policy.