When can you use uninsured motorist coverage? This question is about Uninsured Motorist Coverage Guide

When can you use uninsured motorist coverage?

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This question is about Uninsured Motorist Coverage Guide

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@WalletHub • 04/12/21 This answer was first published on 04/12/21. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

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You can use uninsured motorist coverage when you are in an accident caused by a driver who does not have liability insurance. Depending on your state, you may also be able to use uninsured motorist coverage to pay for your expenses if you’re the victim of a hit and run.

Using Uninsured Motorist Coverage After a Hit and Run

Most states allow drivers to use uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI) insurance to pay for their medical bills after a hit and run, even if the driver remains unidentified. But there are sometimes different rules for uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) coverage, which pays to repair or replace your car. In states like California and Illinois, policyholders can only use UMPD if the at-fault driver in a hit and run is identified and doesn’t have insurance.

Uninsured vs. Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured motorist coverage is typically purchased with underinsured motorist insurance, which can be used when you’re involved in an accident caused by a driver who has liability insurance but not enough to cover your expenses. Some states only require you to have uninsured motorist coverage, while others require you to have both uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance.

To learn more, check out WalletHub’s guide to uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.

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What is underinsured motorist coverage?

Underinsured motorist coverage is a type of car insurance that applies when the policyholder is in an accident caused by a driver who doesn’t have sufficient liability insurance. If the policyholder’s expenses exceed the at-fault driver’s limits, underinsured motorist covers the remaining bills up to a certain amount.

How Underinsured Motorist Coverage Works... read full answer

Say that you are involved in an accident that leaves you with $35,000 in vehicle damage. Typically, the at-fault driver’s property damage liability insurance would pay to repair your car. But if that driver’s liability insurance policy only covers $30,000 in property damage per accident, underinsured motorist coverage would pick up the rest. This would prevent you from having to either file a lawsuit against the driver or pay the remaining $5,000 yourself.

Underinsured motorist coverage is required in some states along with uninsured motorist insurance, which applies when the at-fault driver doesn’t have any liability insurance at all. But even if it’s not required, underinsured motorist coverage is still optional in most states. To learn more, check out WalletHub’s guide to uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

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Do I need uninsured motorist coverage if I have full coverage?

Yes, you do need uninsured motorist coverage even if you have full coverage if you live in a state where uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is required. It’s also a good idea to add UM insurance if you want coverage for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering after an accident caused by an uninsured driver.... read full answer

Full coverage car insurance typically includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, as well as coverage such as UM when required. Technically, in states where UM is required, UM is considered a component of full coverage.

Coverage After an Accident Caused by an Uninsured Driver

Type of Damage	Uninsured Motorist Coverage	Standard Full Coverage
Damage to your car	Covered	Covered
Non-vehicle property damage	Covered	Not Covered
Bodily injury suffered by you and your passengers	Covered	Not Covered
Mental and emotional injuries suffered by you and your passengers	Covered	Not Covered

Note: This table represents coverage in a state where UM, PIP and MedPay are not components of full coverage.

In some states, personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payments (MedPay) coverage is also required. These coverages will help pay for your medical expenses regardless of fault, making the bodily injury component of UM coverage redundant. However, the property damage component of UM coverage is still necessary because neither PIP nor MedPay covers property damage liability.

To learn more, check out WalletHub’s guides to uninsured motorist coverage and full coverage.

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How much uninsured motorist coverage do I need?

You need at least $25,000 in uninsured motorist coverage per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury in most states that require uninsured motorist insurance. You also may need $5,000 to $25,000 in uninsured motorist coverage for property damage , depending on the state. Whether or not your state requires uninsured motorist insurance, you should still purchase coverage to protect yourself in the event of an accident with an uninsured driver. ... read full answer

Uninsured motorist insurance acts in a similar way as an at-fault driver’s liability insurance, by covering your property damage and bodily injuries when an at-fault driver is uninsured. Uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI) coverage covers medical expenses, and uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) coverage is for repairing or replacing vehicles or other personal property after an accident.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage Requirements by State

State	Requirements
Connecticut	Bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person ($50,000 per accident)
District of Columbia	Bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person ($50,000 per accident) Property damage coverage of at least $5,000 per accident (subject to a $200 deductible)
Illinois	Bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person ($50,000 per accident)
Kansas	Bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person ($50,000 per accident)
Maine	Bodily injury coverage of at least $50,000 per person ($100,000 per accident)
Maryland	Bodily injury coverage of at least $30,000 per person ($60,000 per accident) Property damage coverage of at least $15,000 per accident
Massachusetts	Bodily injury coverage of at least $20,000 per person ($40,000 per accident)
Minnesota	Bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person ($50,000 per accident)
Missouri	Bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person ($50,000 per accident)
Nebraska	Bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person ($50,000 per accident)
New Hampshire	Bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person ($50,000 per accident)
New York	Bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person ($50,000 per accident)
North Carolina	Bodily injury coverage of at least $30,000 per person ($60,000 per accident) Property damage coverage of at least $25,000 per accident
North Dakota	Bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person ($50,000 per accident)
Oregon	Bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person ($50,000 per accident)
South Carolina	Bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person ($50,000 per accident) Property damage coverage of at least $25,000 per accident (subject to a $200 deductible)
South Dakota	Bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person ($50,000 per accident)
Vermont	Bodily injury coverage of at least $50,000 per person ($100,000 per accident) Property damage coverage of at least $10,000 per accident (subject to a $150 deductible)
Virginia	Bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person ($50,000 per accident) Property damage coverage of at least $20,000 per accident (subject to a $200 deductible)
West Virginia	Bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person ($50,000 per accident) Property damage coverage of at least $25,000 per accident
Wisconsin	Bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person ($50,000 per accident)

You may be able to forgo purchasing uninsured motorist insurance if you live in one of the 30 states in which it’s optional, but it is generally a better idea to purchase at least the minimum amount offered. Uninsured motorist coverage costs around $50 to $75 per year, so it is an inexpensive way to ensure you are protected.

To learn more, check out WalletHub’s guide to uninsured motorist coverage.

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