What Uninsured Motorist Coverage Does (and Doesn't) Protect You For
Uninsured motorist coverage pays for your injuries and vehicle damage when another driver causes a crash and has no insurance
Uninsured motorist coverage is an optional add-on to your car insurance policy. If you're hit by a driver with no insurance, this coverage pays your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering up to your policy limit. It also covers hit-and-run crashes where the other driver flees the scene. Without it, you'd have to sue the uninsured driver directly — which often means getting nothing, since uninsured drivers typically have no money to pay a judgment.
This coverage comes in two parts: uninsured motorist bodily injury (UM) covers your medical expenses and related losses, and uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) covers damage to your car. Not all states require it, and not all insurers offer UMPD, but UM bodily injury is available in most states. You choose your own limits when you buy the policy — usually $25,000 to $100,000 per person, depending on what your insurer offers.
Key Takeaways
- Uninsured motorist coverage pays your medical bills and vehicle repairs when an uninsured driver hits you, up to the limit you choose on your policy.
- This coverage is optional in most states but required in a few, and it covers both uninsured drivers and hit-and-run crashes where the driver is never identified.
- Your own insurance company pays the claim, not the other driver, so you don't have to track down someone with no money.
- The coverage does not pay for damage to other people's property or injuries you cause to others — that's what liability insurance does.
- You typically need to report the crash to police and notify your insurer within a set time frame, usually 30 days.
When uninsured motorist coverage actually pays out
The coverage kicks in when another driver causes a crash and either has no insurance at all or their insurance company denies the claim. It also covers hit-and-run accidents where you never get the other driver's information. In a few states, it also covers underinsured motorist claims — when the other driver has insurance but their limits are too low to cover your full damages.
You must file a claim with your own insurance company, not the other driver's. Your insurer will investigate the crash, review police reports, and determine whether the other driver was at fault. If the other driver was partly at fault for the crash, your uninsured motorist payout may be reduced by your percentage of fault, depending on your state's rules.
The coverage pays for medical treatment, hospital stays, surgery, physical therapy, lost wages while you recover, and pain and suffering. If your car is damaged, UMPD (if you have it) covers repairs or replacement up to your policy limit. Some policies also cover rental car costs while yours is being fixed.
What uninsured motorist coverage does not cover
This coverage only protects you and your passengers — it does not pay for damage you cause to other people's cars or injuries you cause to other people. That's what your liability insurance covers. Uninsured motorist coverage also does not cover damage to your own vehicle from theft, weather, or single-vehicle accidents where no other driver was involved.
It does not cover medical bills from crashes where you were at fault, or from accidents that happened before you bought the policy. If you were hit by a driver with insurance, your claim goes to their insurance company first, not yours — uninsured motorist coverage is a backup.
How much coverage you need and what it costs
Your uninsured motorist limit is separate from your liability limit. You choose how much coverage to buy, usually in increments like $25,000/$50,000 or $100,000/$300,000 (the first number is per person, the second is per accident). The higher your limit, the more your insurer will pay if you're seriously injured.
The cost varies by insurer, your age, driving record, location, and the limit you choose. Adding uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage typically costs $15 to $40 per six-month policy period, though this varies widely. UMPD (property damage coverage) costs less — usually $5 to $15 per six months — but not all insurers offer it in all states.
Many insurers automatically set your uninsured motorist limit to match your liability limit unless you ask for less. Some states require your UM limit to be at least as high as your liability limit. Check your policy documents to see what you currently have and whether you can adjust it.
Which states require uninsured motorist coverage
Most states do not require uninsured motorist coverage, but you can always buy it. A handful of states — including Kentucky, Mississippi, New Mexico, and North Carolina — require it as part of your standard policy. In these states, you can usually reject it in writing, but your insurer must document that you chose to decline.
Even in states where it's optional, it's worth considering. The Insurance Information Institute reports that roughly one in eight drivers nationwide has no insurance, and rates are higher in some states and regions. If you have a loan or lease on your car, your lender may require you to carry uninsured motorist coverage as a condition of the loan.
How to file a claim and what to expect
After a crash, call the police and get a report number. Take photos of the damage, get the names and phone numbers of any witnesses, and write down everything you remember about how the crash happened. If the other driver is present, get their license plate and vehicle description, but do not assume they have insurance just because they say so.
Contact your insurance company within 30 days of the crash (check your policy for the exact deadline). Tell them you're filing an uninsured motorist claim and provide the police report number, photos, witness information, and a written account of the crash. Your insurer will assign a claims adjuster who will contact you to discuss your injuries and damages.
The adjuster will request medical records, repair estimates, pay stubs (to document lost wages), and receipts for other expenses. If your injuries are serious, your insurer may hire a doctor to examine you. The process typically takes four to eight weeks, though complex cases can take longer. Once your insurer approves the claim, they'll send you a check for the approved amount, minus your deductible if your policy applies one to uninsured motorist claims.
Uninsured motorist coverage versus collision insurance
These two coverages protect you in different situations. Collision insurance pays for damage to your car from any crash, regardless of who caused it or whether the other driver has insurance. Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) only pays if the other driver has no insurance. If the other driver has insurance, their liability coverage pays for your car damage, not your collision or UMPD.
Collision insurance is required if you have a loan or lease on your car, but UMPD is optional in most states. If you have collision coverage, UMPD is less critical for vehicle damage — but UM bodily injury coverage is still important because it covers your medical bills and pain and suffering, which collision does not.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage?
Uninsured motorist coverage applies when the other driver has no insurance at all. Underinsured motorist coverage applies when the other driver has insurance but their limits are too low to cover your full damages. Not all states offer underinsured coverage, and it's usually a separate add-on you can buy.
Do I have to use my uninsured motorist coverage if the other driver is found at fault?
No. If the other driver has insurance, you can file a claim with their liability insurance first. Your uninsured motorist coverage is a backup if their insurance denies the claim or if they have no insurance. You cannot collect from both — you get paid once, from whichever source covers the claim.
Will my rates go up if I file an uninsured motorist claim?
No. Because you were not at fault, filing an uninsured motorist claim should not increase your premiums. However, if you file multiple claims in a short time, your insurer may raise your rates or non-renew your policy. Check your insurer's policy on claim history.
What if I was partially at fault for the crash?
In most states, your uninsured motorist payout is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you were 20 percent at fault and your damages total $10,000, you'd receive $8,000. A few states use different rules, so check your state's insurance laws or ask your insurer how fault affects your claim.
Can I buy uninsured motorist coverage if I don't have other insurance?
Most insurers require you to buy uninsured motorist coverage as part of a full policy that includes liability and other coverages. You cannot usually buy it as a standalone product. If you're looking for low-cost insurance, ask your insurer about minimum coverage options in your state.