Uninsured Motorist Coverage Explained
Uninsured Motorist Coverage pays for your medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle damage when you're hit by a driver with no insurance or insufficient coverage.
Get Quotes Based on Your RecordWhat Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage Insurance?
Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM) consists of two components: Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury (UMBI) covers your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and funeral costs when an at-fault driver has no insurance. Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) pays to repair or replace your vehicle when damaged by an uninsured driver. Most states also include underinsured motorist protection, which activates when the at-fault driver's liability limits are too low to cover your full damages. Hit-and-run accidents typically trigger UM coverage since the at-fault driver cannot be identified or located.
Who Needs Uninsured Motorist Coverage Insurance?
Drivers with past violations, DUIs, or accidents should strongly consider Uninsured Motorist Coverage even when optional — you already face elevated premiums, and a second hit from an uninsured driver could create financial catastrophe without UM protection. Drivers who cannot afford large out-of-pocket medical expenses or who lack robust health insurance with low deductibles should treat UM as essential, not optional.
In required UM states, maximize your limits to match liability; in optional states, check your area's uninsured driver rate and your personal medical coverage gaps before declining.
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