Question 1

Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage required?

Accepted Answer

Twenty-two states plus DC require Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury coverage, while the remaining states make it optional but require insurers to offer it. Required states include Illinois, North Carolina, Virginia, and Maine, with mandatory minimum limits typically matching state liability minimums. Even where optional, approximately 75% of insured drivers carry some level of UM coverage according to industry data.

Question 2

Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage pay for hit-and-run accidents?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in most states Uninsured Motorist Coverage treats hit-and-run crashes where the driver is never identified as uninsured motorist claims. However, some states require the incident to meet specific documentation thresholds, such as filing a police report within 24 hours or having an independent witness. A few states exclude hit-and-runs from UMPD but cover them under UMBI, creating a gap that only collision coverage fills for vehicle damage.

Question 3

What is stacked vs. non-stacked Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

Accepted Answer

Stacked coverage multiplies your UM limits by the number of vehicles on your policy, while non-stacked applies per-vehicle limits. If you have two cars with $50,000 UMBI each, stacked coverage provides $100,000 in protection if you're injured while driving either vehicle, whereas non-stacked caps you at $50,000. Stacking typically increases premiums by 30% to 60% and is prohibited in some states but valuable for households with multiple vehicles and modest per-vehicle limits.

Question 4

Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage increase my rates if I file a claim?

Accepted Answer

Most insurers treat UM claims as not-at-fault incidents since another driver caused the crash, resulting in no rate increase or a smaller surcharge than at-fault claims. However, some carriers apply a 10% to 20% increase even for UM claims, reasoning that any claim indicates elevated risk. Rate impact varies significantly by insurer and state regulation, making it worthwhile to ask your carrier's specific policy before purchasing coverage.

Question 5

Can I buy higher Uninsured Motorist limits than my liability limits?

Accepted Answer

Most states cap your UM limits at your liability limits, reasoning that you shouldn't protect yourself more than you protect others. However, a handful of states including Wisconsin and Oregon allow you to purchase UM coverage exceeding your liability limits. In states with low mandatory liability minimums like California ($15,000/$30,000), this restriction can leave significant coverage gaps unless you voluntarily increase liability limits first.

Question 6

Does my health insurance replace the need for Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

Accepted Answer

Health insurance covers medical bills but does not pay for lost wages, pain and suffering, funeral costs, or the gap between your health plan's out-of-pocket maximum and total injury costs. UMBI covers all economic and non-economic damages up to your policy limits. Additionally, many health plans contain subrogation clauses requiring reimbursement if you recover damages from another source, whereas UM benefits are yours to keep regardless of other recoveries in most states.

Question 7

What happens if the uninsured driver has some assets?

Accepted Answer

Your UM coverage pays your claim up to policy limits regardless of the at-fault driver's assets, then your insurer may pursue subrogation to recover what they paid from the uninsured driver. You receive your compensation immediately from your insurer rather than waiting years for a lawsuit and potential judgment against a defendant who may never pay. This speed and certainty is UM coverage's primary advantage over suing uninsured drivers directly.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage: What It Pays

What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage Insurance?

How Much Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Insurance Cost?

See How Much You Could Save

Who Needs Uninsured Motorist Coverage Insurance?

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Coverage Types

Get Your Free Uninsured Motorist Coverage Quote