Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM)

Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is an auto insurance component that pays for your injuries, medical bills, and, in some cases, vehicle damage when an at-fault driver has no insurance or in the event of a hit-and-run. Some states require UM; in others it’s optional.

Key takeaways

• UM covers medical expenses and certain property damage caused by uninsured or hit-and-run drivers.
• There are two main types: uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI) and uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD).
• UM is different from underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage, which applies when the at-fault driver’s limits are insufficient.
• Some states require UM; others make it optional or conditional.

How UM works

Most states require drivers to carry minimum liability insurance, but many drivers remain uninsured. If you’re hit by an uninsured driver who is at fault—or by a hit-and-run driver—UM can pay:
* Medical expenses for you and your passengers
* Lost wages and other injury-related costs (depending on policy)
* Vehicle repairs or diminished value (if your policy includes UMPD)

If you don’t have UM on your policy, you may have little or no recovery even when the other driver is clearly at fault.

Types of UM coverage

• Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury (UMBI): Pays medical bills, and sometimes lost wages and pain-and-suffering, for you and your passengers.
• Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD): Pays to repair or replace your vehicle and other property damaged by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver.

Availability and required coverage vary by state; some states offer only bodily-injury UM.

UM vs. Underinsured Motorist (UIM)

UM covers crashes with drivers who have no insurance (including hit-and-run). UIM applies when the at-fault driver has insurance but their policy limits are too low to cover your full losses. Some states require both UM and UIM; others do not.

Note: Many insurers and some states allow “stacking” of UM/UIM limits across multiple vehicles on the same policy, which increases the total available limit after a qualifying claim.

Filing a UM claim: what to do

1. Check for injuries and call 911 if necessary.
2. Contact the police to report the crash. If police do not respond or it’s a hit-and-run, gather as much information as possible.
3. Collect evidence: photos of the scene and damage, witness names and contact info, and the other vehicle’s license plate if available.
4. Report the claim to your insurer promptly and submit medical bills and repair estimates. Insurers often set time limits for filing UM claims.

Where UM is required

UM coverage is required in:
Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island (if you choose liability above the state minimum), South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.

Special cases:
* New Hampshire and Virginia: UM is required if you purchase car insurance (New Hampshire does not mandate insurance; Virginia allows an opt-out for a fee).
* New Jersey: Required with a standard auto policy, not with the basic policy.

(Check your state DMV or insurance regulator for the most current rules applicable to your area.)

What UM typically covers

• Medical expenses for you and passengers
• Lost wages and related injury costs (depending on policy language)
• Vehicle repairs or replacement and diminished value (if UMPD is included)
  Policy limits, exclusions, and claim procedures vary by state and insurer—review your policy carefully.

Bottom line

Uninsured motorist coverage helps protect you from the financial consequences of crashes involving uninsured or hit-and-run drivers. Because state requirements vary and coverage details differ by policy, confirm your state’s rules and consider UM (and UIM) limits that match your risk tolerance and needs.