Do You Need Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

Last Updated on October 14, 2026

By James Shaffer Reviewed by Thomas Rockford, insurance industry executive and financial analyst, on October 13, 2026 How we fact-check

Uninsured motorist coverage is designed to protect you if you’re hit by a driver who doesn’t have insurance—or doesn’t have enough of it. With millions of uninsured and underinsured drivers on U.S. roads, this coverage can be the difference between a fully paid claim and a huge out-of-pocket bill.

In some states, uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is required by law. In others, it’s optional but strongly recommended. Below, we explain what UM coverage is, when it applies, how much you might need, and how to decide if it’s worth the cost in your situation.

Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage protects you and your passengers if you’re hit by a driver who has no insurance, not enough insurance, or in many cases, flees the scene in a hit-and-run.
About 20 states and D.C. require uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, and many other states require insurers to offer it, so you usually have to reject it in writing to go without. Where it’s optional, it’s up to you to decide if the extra protection is worth the cost.
UM coverage often costs less than liability or collision insurance, though the price varies by state and limits, and it can help pay for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and vehicle damage when the at-fault driver can’t.
Most experts suggest matching your UM limits to your liability limits (often at least 100/300), especially if you live in a state with many uninsured drivers, drive a higher-value vehicle, or want additional peace of mind.

Table Of Contents

What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
When Do You Use Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
What Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Pay For?
How Does UM Work with Health Insurance?
Where Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage Required?
Do I Need Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
What Happens If I Don’t Have Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage Worth It?
How Much Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Cost?
How Much Uninsured Motorist Coverage Do I Need?
FAQs on Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Final Word on Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Sources

What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

Uninsured motorist coverage, often abbreviated as UM, protects you after a collision with a driver who has no liability insurance—or in some cases, a hit-and-run driver. It’s meant to step in when the at-fault driver’s coverage simply isn’t there.

About 15.4% of U.S. drivers, more than 1 in 7, were uninsured in 2023, according to Insurance Research Council figures published by the Insurance Information Institute. In some states the 2023 share was above 20%, led by Mississippi at 28.2%, which means there’s a real chance your next accident could involve someone with no coverage at all. Uninsured motorists by state can vary wildly, so where you live matters.

UM coverage can also apply when the at-fault driver is unknown, such as a hit-and-run where the other driver flees the scene and is never identified.

You’ll often see uninsured motorist coverage paired with underinsured motorist coverage, abbreviated as UM/UIM, because both cover similar situations where the other driver can’t fully pay for your losses.

UM coverage usually has two main parts:

Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage (UMBI) helps pay medical bills, lost wages, and related costs for you and your passengers after an accident caused by an uninsured (or sometimes hit-and-run) driver.

Uninsured motorist property damage coverage (UMPD) helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle and certain other property after a crash with an uninsured driver.

When Do You Use Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

Uninsured (and underinsured) motorist coverage typically comes into play when:

You or your passengers are injured by an uninsured driver. UMBI can step in to cover medical bills, lost wages, and related damages when the at-fault driver has no liability insurance.
You are hit by an underinsured driver. If the other driver has insurance but not enough to cover all injuries, underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) can help fill the gap.
Your vehicle is damaged in a hit-and-run. In some states and policies, UMPD (or collision coverage) can help pay for repairs after a hit-and-run where the at-fault driver can’t be identified.
You or your passengers are injured in a hit-and-run. Depending on state law and policy language, you may be able to use UMBI to cover injuries when the other driver disappears.

Not every policy treats hit-and-run situations the same way. Some insurers allow you to file a claim under uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage (UMBI), while others may require proof of physical contact or other conditions. It’s important to review your UM section carefully.

What Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Pay For?

Uninsured motorist coverage is designed to mirror what the at-fault driver’s liability insurance should have paid. Depending on your limits and your state’s rules, UM may cover:

Medical bills for you or your passengers after a crash with an uninsured driver, including hospital visits, surgery, rehab, and follow-up care. See how car insurance pays for medical bills after an accident.
Lost wages if injuries keep you from working. Learn more about car insurance and lost wages.
Pain and suffering and other non-economic damages in some states. These are discussed in more detail in our guide to pain and suffering in car insurance settlements.
Damage to your vehicle caused by an uninsured driver, through UMPD, up to your coverage limits.

In many states, uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) claims come with a deductible. Under the state rules summarized in our state-by-state requirements guide (updated October 7, 2026), North Carolina’s UMPD has a built-in $100 deductible and D.C.’s property damage side carries a $200 deductible. Check how your policy handles each part of UM coverage, and whether a UM claim could raise your rates.

How Does UM Work with Health Insurance?

When deciding whether you need UM, you’ll want to factor in how health insurance and auto insurance coordinate.

Health insurance generally covers your medical treatment after an accident, regardless of who caused it. However:

Your health plan may have deductibles, co-pays, and coinsurance you must pay out of pocket.
Your health insurer may seek reimbursement (subrogation) from any auto insurance settlement you receive from the at-fault driver or your own UM coverage.
Health insurance doesn’t cover property damage, and it may not fully address non-economic damages like pain and suffering.

If you already have strong health insurance and other optional auto coverages, you might be tempted to skip UM where it’s not required. Just keep in mind that UM can fill important gaps—especially in states with high uninsured driver rates or if you have a high health insurance deductible.

Where Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage Required?

About 20 states and the District of Columbia make uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage mandatory, according to the Insurance Information Institute. In those states, you must carry at least a minimum amount of UM or UM/UIM bodily injury coverage; some also require UMPD. Most of the remaining states require insurers to offer UM instead of requiring you to carry it; in many of them it goes on the policy unless you reject it in writing. Rules differ by state, so check yours.

If you buy car insurance in a state that mandates UM or UM/UIM, your policy should include at least the minimum legal requirements. In other states, insurers may be required to offer UM to you—and you may have to sign a waiver if you choose to reject it.

Even if your home state doesn’t require UM, you might still want it if you live or drive in an area with a high percentage of uninsured drivers. Check local data or talk to a local agent for an idea of how common uninsured driving is where you live.

Also note that when you travel out of state, many auto policies automatically adjust liability coverages to meet another state’s minimums while you’re driving there. That doesn’t always mean you’ll automatically gain UM/UIM coverage you didn’t purchase—so it’s smart to confirm how your specific policy works if you regularly cross state lines.

Do I Need Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

If your state requires UM or UM/UIM, it will be part of your policy. You still decide whether to buy limits above the state minimum, and a few states let you reject one part, such as UMPD, in writing.

If UM is optional where you live, the decision comes down to:

How common uninsured drivers are in your area. In some states, more than 1 in 5 drivers on the road has no insurance at all; Mississippi was at 28.2% in 2023, according to the Insurance Research Council.
Your health insurance and other coverages. If you have great health insurance and strong collision coverage, you may be less reliant on UM—but it can still help with deductibles, lost wages, and pain and suffering in some cases.
Your vehicle value. If you drive an expensive vehicle, repairing it after a crash with an uninsured driver could cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Your savings and risk tolerance. UM often costs less than liability or collision, though the price varies by state and limits. Many people are comfortable paying a bit more each month to avoid the risk of a huge uninsured loss.

As with most car insurance decisions, it’s a trade-off: pay an extra premium for added peace of mind, or save that money and accept more risk if an uninsured driver hits you.

What Happens If I Don’t Have Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

If you live in a state where UM is mandatory and somehow end up without it, you’re likely out of compliance with state law. A standard policy sold in such a state should include UM, so this is uncommon.

In states where UM is not required, here’s what might happen after an accident with an uninsured driver if you don’t carry UM:

You can still sue the at-fault driver. That person is legally liable for your damages, and you can sue an uninsured driver for medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle damage.
Collecting may be difficult. In reality, many people who drive without insurance don’t have many assets. Even if you win a judgment, you may recover little or nothing.
Health insurance may cover medical treatment. Your health insurance can handle medical bills, but not your vehicle damage or all non-economic damages. You might still face deductibles, co-pays, and gaps in coverage.
Collision coverage can repair your car. If you have collision coverage, a hit-and-run or uninsured-driver crash may be treated as a collision claim. You pay your deductible and your insurer pays the rest, subject to your limits. See how collision claims affect rates.

Without UM, you’re relying heavily on your own health insurance, your collision coverage (if you have it), and your ability to recover money from the at-fault driver through the legal system. That’s a lot of risk to carry on your own.

Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage Worth It?

Whether UM coverage is “worth it” depends on your budget, how risk-averse you are, and your specific situation.

You might strongly consider UM if:

You live in a state with a high percentage of uninsured drivers.
You drive a higher-value or luxury vehicle where repairs are expensive.
You have limited savings and can’t easily absorb a large, unexpected bill.
You want peace of mind that you’re protected even if other drivers on the road aren’t following the rules.

If you consider yourself very risk-averse, you may be willing to pay more each month to avoid the chance of bearing the full cost of an uninsured driver’s mistake.

How Much Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Cost?

The cost of UM coverage varies by state, insurer, vehicle, and limits, and it often costs less than liability, collision, or comprehensive coverage, though not in every state or at every limit.

UM often makes up a smaller part of the premium than liability or collision, but the price depends on your state, your insurer, your limits and how many uninsured drivers are on the roads where you live. At high limits or in states with many uninsured drivers, it can be a noticeable part of the bill, so get the price in a quote.

Because pricing varies so much, the best way to know what’s fair in your zip code is to compare quotes and review how different insurers price UM limits side-by-side.

How Much Uninsured Motorist Coverage Do I Need?

Some states specify minimum UM or UM/UIM limits. In those states, you must carry at least the required amount, but you can always buy more.

In states without a specific UM minimum, you can choose your own limits—often up to your liability limits or higher.

Many insurance professionals recommend matching your UM bodily injury limits to your liability limits. A common benchmark is 100/300 insurance, which means:

$100,000 of uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage per person
$300,000 of uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage per accident

For uninsured motorist property damage coverage, consider your vehicle’s value and whether you have collision coverage. If you drive an older, inexpensive car, you may not need a very high UMPD limit. If you drive a newer or high-end vehicle, or you don’t carry collision, higher UMPD limits may make sense. For extra context, see how property damage coverage works.

My advice is to pull up your declarations page and look at the UM line before your next renewal. If it’s missing or set lower than your liability limits, ask your agent what it would cost to match them. It’s the coverage that pays you when the other driver can’t, so see the price before you decide.

FAQs on Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Is uninsured motorist coverage required in every state?

No. Some states require uninsured or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, while others only require insurers to offer it to you. In many states, UM is optional, but you may have to sign a waiver if you decline it. A policy sold in your state should meet its minimum requirements, but check your declarations page or ask your agent if UM is included and in what amount.

If I have good health insurance, do I really need uninsured motorist coverage?

Strong health insurance definitely helps after an accident, but it doesn’t cover everything. UM/UIM coverage can help with deductibles, lost wages, and sometimes pain and suffering, and it may also help pay for vehicle damage through UMPD. Health insurance doesn’t repair your car or compensate you for all non-medical losses. Many drivers with good health plans still choose UM for extra protection against uninsured drivers.

Does uninsured motorist coverage pay if I’m in a hit-and-run?

Often, yes—but it depends on your state and policy language. In many places, a hit-and-run driver is treated as an uninsured motorist if you can’t identify them, and UMBI and/or UMPD may apply. Some policies require proof of physical contact or a police report, so it’s important to document the accident and report it quickly. Ask your insurer exactly how hit-and-run claims are handled under your UM coverage.

Will an uninsured motorist claim raise my car insurance rates?

It can, but not always. Some insurers treat UM claims more leniently than at-fault collision claims, since you didn’t cause the accident. However, any claim can potentially impact your premiums. If you’re concerned, ask your agent how a UM claim might affect your rate and whether accident forgiveness or other features could help.

How much uninsured motorist coverage should I buy?

A common rule of thumb is to match your UM bodily injury limits to your liability limits—often at least 100/300, meaning $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident. For property damage, consider your vehicle’s value and whether you have collision coverage. If you’re unsure, start by matching your UM to your liability and then ask your agent how much it would cost to increase those limits.

Is uninsured motorist coverage expensive?

It depends on your state, your insurer and the limits you pick. UM often costs less than liability or collision, but it isn’t cheap everywhere, especially at high limits or where many drivers are uninsured. Get the UM price as its own line in a quote, and compare it with what it would pay if an uninsured driver hit you.

Final Word on Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Millions of drivers in the United States either have no auto insurance or carry only bare-minimum policies that may not fully cover the damage they cause. In 2023, more than 1 in 5 drivers were uninsured in seven states and D.C., led by Mississippi at 28.2% and New Mexico at 24.1%, according to Insurance Research Council figures published by the Insurance Information Institute.

If you want to protect yourself and your passengers from other people’s lack of coverage, uninsured motorist insurance is one of the most efficient ways to do it. Whether you live in a state with high uninsured-driver rates or you simply want added peace of mind, adding UM or UM/UIM to your policy—or increasing your limits—can be a smart way to reduce your financial risk; get the price in a quote to see what it costs where you live.

Sources

Checked October 13, 2026

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