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What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM)?
Let me explain uninsured motorist (UM) coverage directly: it's part of your auto insurance policy that steps in when you're in an accident with a driver who lacks insurance. If you have UM, it covers injuries to you and your passengers, and sometimes damage to your vehicle. In some states, this coverage is mandatory in auto policies, while in others, you can add it as an optional endorsement.
How Uninsured Motorist Coverage Works
Most states require drivers to have some level of auto liability insurance, with requirements differing by state—New Hampshire doesn't mandate any minimum, and Virginia allows opting out for a fee. Despite these rules, roughly one in seven U.S. drivers is uninsured, based on the Insurance Research Council's 2021 report, with Washington, D.C. topping the list at 25.2%, followed by New Mexico and Mississippi, while Wyoming has the lowest at 5.9%.
Given the risk of colliding with an uninsured driver, about half the states, including D.C., mandate UM coverage in policies; others require it under specific conditions, like higher liability limits. If an at-fault driver without insurance hits you, your UM coverage handles vehicle repairs or medical bills. This also applies to hit-and-runs, as those drivers count as uninsured. Without UM, you get no payout even if it's not your fault.
Remember, there are two main types: uninsured motorist bodily injury for medical bills from a crash, and uninsured motorist property damage for car repairs. Some states only offer the bodily injury version.
Uninsured Motorist vs. Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Some drivers have insurance, but their limits might not cover full accident costs. States set minimum liability requirements, but choosing the bare minimum can leave others shortchanged in a crash. Know that UM coverage isn't the same as underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage, which kicks in when the at-fault driver has insurance but not enough for your damages. Not all states requiring UM also mandate UIM—check your state's DMV if unsure.
In some places, you can 'stack' UM or UIM bodily injury limits across multiple vehicles on one policy. For instance, two cars each with $30,000 limits could combine to $60,000 after an accident.
What Do You Need to File a UM Coverage Claim?
After an accident, prioritize checking for injuries and call 911 if needed, then notify the police. If it's a hit-and-run or police don't arrive, collect witness details like names, addresses, and phone numbers, plus the other car's license plate if possible, and photograph the scene.
File your claim with your insurer quickly, sharing all gathered info—some companies have time limits for UM claims. Submit medical and repair bills from the accident.
Where Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage Required?
UM is mandatory in Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and D.C. In New Hampshire and Virginia, you need it if you buy insurance. Rhode Island requires it for liability above the minimum, and New Jersey for standard policies but not basic ones.
What Is Covered by Uninsured Motorist Insurance?
UM splits into bodily injury, covering medical expenses for you and passengers plus possibly lost wages, and property damage, for repairing or replacing your car and other damaged items. Coverage details vary by state and policy, so review yours carefully.
The Bottom Line
Uninsured motorist insurance handles your and your passengers' medical costs and car damage after an accident with an uninsured driver. It's required in some states, optional in others, and covers hit-and-runs too.
Key Takeaways
- Uninsured motorist coverage (UM) is a type of car insurance that pays for injuries and damages caused by an uninsured driver.
- Uninsured motorist coverage also pays for you and your passengers' medical bills and diminished value if your car has a lower value due to the accident.
- Hit-and-run drivers are also considered uninsured motorists.
- UM coverage is required in many states and available as an optional add-on to your car insurance policy in others.
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