What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

Updated May 28, 2026 · 4 min read

You can do everything right and still get hit by a driver who has no insurance — or not enough. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage exists for exactly that situation. Here’s how it works.

What it covers

There are two related coverages, often sold together:

• Uninsured Motorist (UM) — pays for your injuries (and sometimes property damage) when the at-fault driver has no insurance at all.
• Underinsured Motorist (UIM) — kicks in when the at-fault driver has insurance, but not enough to cover your costs.

It usually also covers you in a hit-and-run, where the responsible driver can’t be identified.

Why it matters

Roughly 1 in 7 U.S. drivers is uninsured, and many more carry only their state’s minimum. If one of them causes a serious crash, their coverage (or lack of it) becomes your problem — UM/UIM fills that gap so you’re not stuck with the bill.

Two types of UM coverage

• UM Bodily Injury (UMBI) — covers medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering for you and your passengers.
• UM Property Damage (UMPD) — covers damage to your vehicle (offered in some states; in others, collision coverage handles this).

Is it required?

It depends on your state. Many states require UM/UIM (for example, North Carolina, Virginia, and Missouri), while others make it optional or let you reject it in writing. Even where it’s optional, it’s often inexpensive relative to the protection it provides.

How much should you carry?

A common recommendation is to match your UM/UIM limits to your liability limits. The logic: you’d want the same level of protection for yourself that you’re required to carry for others.

The bottom line

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage protects you from drivers who can’t pay for the damage they cause. It’s required in some states and a smart add-on in most others. Comparing quotes lets you see how carriers price it — it’s often cheaper than people expect.