McKayla Girardin, Car Insurance Writer
@mckayla_girardin
Uninsured motorist coverage works a lot like liability insurance, but it covers the policyholder rather than other drivers. Uninsured motorist (UM) insurance replaces the liability coverage an uninsured driver should’ve had, covering property damage and bodily injury expenses they cause the policyholder to incur. If the driver does have insurance but it doesn’t cover all of your medical and vehicle repair costs, underinsured motorist (UIM) insurance can fill in the gaps.
Key Things to Know About Uninsured Motorist Insurance
- Uninsured motorist insurance is comprised of both uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage and uninsured motorist property damage.
- You can use UM when you’re not at fault for the accident.
- In most states, you can use UM if you’re the victim of a hit and run.
- Uninsured motorist insurance costs around $50 to $75 per year.
- Some states only require drivers to have uninsured motorist coverage, though 14 states require drivers to supplement that with underinsured motorist insurance.
- UIM can be used if the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough liability insurance to pay for your injuries or property damage.
Uninsured Motorist Insurance Requirements by State
| State | Requirements |
| Drivers can opt-out in writing | |
| Drivers can opt-out in writing | |
| Drivers can opt-out in writing | |
| Bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident | |
| Drivers can opt-out in writing | |
| Bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident | |
| Drivers can choose to add coverage | |
| Drivers can opt-out in writing | |
| Bodily injury coverage of at least $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident Property damage coverage of at least $25,000 per accident | |
| Drivers can opt-out in writing |
To learn more, check out WalletHub’s guide to uninsured motorist coverage.
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