By the Five Star Insurance Reviews editorial team · Updated October 13, 2026

Uninsured Motorist Coverage: What It Covers and Why It Matters

Uninsured motorist coverage protects you and your passengers when the driver who hits you has no insurance, or not enough. Here is how it works and when to add it.

What uninsured motorist coverage is

Uninsured motorist coverage is an optional or required part of your auto policy, depending on your state, that pays when a driver without insurance causes a crash that hurts you. It steps in when the at-fault driver cannot pay.

It also helps in many hit-and-run accidents, when the other driver cannot be found. Without uninsured motorist protection, you would rely on your own health insurance, savings or a lawsuit against someone who may have nothing to collect.

Think of uninsured motorist protection as protection against other people’s lack of insurance.

Why uninsured motorist coverage matters

Not every driver carries insurance, and some carry only the legal minimum. You usually cannot tell which is which before a crash, and you cannot control it.

If an uninsured driver hurts you, you could face medical bills and lost income with no one to pay them. Uninsured motorist protection fills that gap with your own policy, so you are not dependent on the other driver’s finances.

That is the reason many drivers treat uninsured motorist protection as a core protection, not an extra.

Uninsured vs underinsured motorist coverage

You will usually see the two sold together, often shortened to UM and UIM. Uninsured motorist protection applies when the at-fault driver has no insurance. Underinsured motorist coverage applies when their limits are too low to cover your losses.

For example, if the other driver carries only the state minimum and your medical bills are higher, underinsured motorist coverage can cover part of the gap, up to your own limits.

What uninsured motorist coverage pays for

• Bodily injury: medical bills, lost income and pain and suffering for you and your passengers, up to your limits.
• Property damage: in some states and policies, repairs to your car. In others, collision coverage handles this.
• Hit-and-run accidents: often covered, with conditions such as reporting the crash promptly to the police.

Exactly what is included differs by state and by policy, so ask your insurer how uninsured motorist protection works where you live.

Uninsured motorist coverage in real-life examples

• A driver with no insurance runs a red light and injures you: uninsured motorist protection can help pay your medical bills.
• You are hit by a driver who flees: a hit-and-run claim may be covered, with prompt reporting.
• The at-fault driver carries only minimum limits and your bills are higher: underinsured motorist coverage can cover part of the gap.
• A passenger in your car is hurt by an uninsured driver: the coverage often extends to them, depending on your policy.

These are general examples. Your own policy language decides what is covered.

What uninsured motorist coverage does not cover

• Damage you cause to other people, which is the job of liability coverage.
• Losses above your uninsured motorist protection limits.
• Accidents where you are the driver at fault.
• Items that your policy excludes, which vary by insurer.

Is uninsured motorist coverage required?

It depends on your state. Some states require uninsured motorist protection. Others require insurers to offer it and let you decline in writing. Some do not require it at all.

From our state research, Illinois, Missouri, West Virginia and New York require uninsured motorist protection. Our state requirements table shows the rest of the states we cover. Always confirm current rules with your state insurance department.

How much uninsured motorist coverage to carry

A common suggestion is to match your uninsured motorist protection limits to your own liability limits. The reasoning is simple: you are protecting your family against a driver who might have carried too little or none.

Higher limits usually cost more, but uninsured motorist protection is often a modest part of the premium. Ask for quotes at a few levels. Our guide to how much car insurance you need explains how to weigh limits and cost.

How uninsured motorist coverage works with other coverage

Uninsured motorist protection can overlap with other protection, such as medical payments coverage, personal injury protection and your health insurance. How they coordinate depends on your state and policy.

Do not assume that health insurance makes uninsured motorist protection unnecessary. Health insurance may not replace lost wages, and your insurer may have the right to seek repayment from other sources.

How to make an uninsured motorist claim

• Make sure everyone is safe and call emergency services if anyone is hurt.
• Get the other driver’s details if you can, and file a police report. For a hit-and-run, report it as soon as possible.
• Take photos and keep records of medical care.
• Notify your insurer promptly and tell them the other driver appears to be uninsured.
• Keep copies of bills and correspondence.

What affects the cost of uninsured motorist coverage

• Your state and local ZIP code.
• The limits you choose.
• Whether you add property damage uninsured motorist protection.
• Your driving record and other policy features.

The only way to know your price is to request quotes. Our carrier reviews can help you decide which companies to ask.

Common uninsured motorist coverage mistakes

• Declining uninsured motorist protection without understanding what it protects.
• Choosing limits far below your liability limits.
• Assuming collision coverage covers injuries.
• Not reporting a hit-and-run quickly.
• Comparing quotes with different uninsured motorist protection limits.

A quick checklist before you buy

Confirm whether your state requires uninsured motorist coverage, which parts your policy includes and what limits you carry. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners and the Insurance Information Institute explain these terms in plain language, and your state insurance department can answer questions about local rules.

For a broader view of how this fits with the rest of your policy, read our liability coverage guide.

FAQs

General information, not insurance advice. Coverage and rules vary by state and policy.

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