Uninsured motorist coverage pays for your injuries and vehicle damage when the other driver has no insurance

Uninsured motorist insurance (often called UM coverage) protects you when you are hit by a driver who carries no liability insurance at all. It works like this: the other driver is at fault, but they have no policy to pay your medical bills or repair costs. Your own uninsured motorist coverage steps in and pays you, up to your policy limit, as if their insurance company were paying.

This is different from liability coverage, which you carry to pay the other person when you cause an accident. Uninsured motorist coverage is about protecting yourself when the other driver cannot pay. Most states require you to carry it, or to actively reject it in writing.

The coverage comes in two forms: uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI) covers your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) covers repair or replacement of your vehicle. Not all states allow UMPD, so check your state's rules before assuming you have it.

Key Takeaways

  • Uninsured motorist coverage pays your medical bills and vehicle repairs when hit by an uninsured driver, using your own policy limit instead of theirs.
  • Bodily injury coverage (UMBI) is required or must be rejected in writing in most states; property damage coverage (UMPD) is available in some states only.
  • Your coverage limit is the maximum the insurer will pay, so a $25,000 limit means you receive up to $25,000 even if your damages are higher.
  • You must report the accident to your insurer and provide proof the other driver was uninsured; your insurer may investigate or require a police report.
  • Underinsured motorist coverage is a separate add-on that covers gaps when the other driver's insurance limit is too low to pay your full damages.

What bodily injury coverage includes

Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage pays for medical treatment you receive because of the accident—hospital bills, emergency room visits, surgery, physical therapy, and ongoing care. It also covers lost wages if you miss work while recovering, and pain and suffering, which is compensation for the injury itself and the disruption to your life.

The coverage applies whether you are the driver, a passenger in your own car, or a passenger in someone else's car (as long as that car is insured). If multiple people in your vehicle are injured, each person can claim up to the policy limit, though some states cap the total payout per accident.

You do not need to prove the other driver was intentionally reckless—negligence is enough. If they ran a red light, failed to yield, or were distracted, and they have no insurance, your UMBI coverage applies. You will need to show the accident happened and that the other driver was at fault, usually through a police report or witness statements.

What property damage coverage includes

Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) pays to repair or replace your vehicle when an uninsured driver damages it. This covers the cost of parts, labor, and rental car expenses while your vehicle is being fixed. If the vehicle is totaled, UMPD pays the actual cash value—what the car was worth before the accident, not what you paid for it.

UMPD is not available in all states. Some states prohibit it entirely, while others allow it only if you also carry collision coverage. Check your state's insurance regulations or ask your insurer whether UMPD is an option for you. If it is not available in your state, collision coverage (which you may already have) will cover damage to your vehicle regardless of who caused the accident.

Like bodily injury coverage, UMPD requires proof that the other driver was uninsured and at fault. You will need the police report and the other driver's information. If the other driver cannot be identified—for example, in a hit-and-run—some policies cover this under uninsured motorist provisions, though rules vary by state and insurer.

How your policy limit works

Your uninsured motorist coverage limit is the maximum amount your insurer will pay you per accident. A common limit is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, written as 25/50. This means your insurer pays up to $25,000 for one person's injuries and up to $50,000 total if multiple people are injured in the same accident.

If your damages exceed your limit—for example, your medical bills are $40,000 but your limit is $25,000—you receive $25,000 from your insurer and you are responsible for the remaining $15,000. This is why choosing an appropriate limit matters. Higher limits cost more in premiums but protect you if the accident causes serious injury.

Your limit applies separately to bodily injury and property damage (if your state allows UMPD). A $25,000 UMBI limit and a $10,000 UMPD limit means you can receive up to $25,000 for injuries and up to $10,000 for vehicle damage in the same accident.

How to file a claim and what your insurer needs

Report the accident to your insurer as soon as possible, even if you are not sure whether the other driver is uninsured. Provide your insurer with the other driver's name, phone number, address, and vehicle information if you have it. If you do not have this information because the driver fled, tell your insurer when ready—this is a hit-and-run, and your state may have specific rules for uninsured motorist claims in these cases.

Your insurer will ask for a police report. If you have not filed one, do so at your local police station or online through your city or county website. The police report documents the accident, identifies the other driver (if known), and may note whether they had insurance. Bring this report to your insurer or provide the report number.

Gather medical records, repair estimates, and receipts for any out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident. If you missed work, provide a letter from your employer stating the dates and wages lost. Your insurer may request a recorded statement about how the accident happened; you can provide this, but you are not required to without your own attorney present if the claim is disputed.

The difference between uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage

Underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) is a separate add-on that covers the gap when the other driver has insurance but their limit is too low. For example, if the other driver is at fault and their policy limit is $15,000, but your medical bills are $40,000, underinsured motorist coverage pays the difference (up to your UIM limit).

Uninsured motorist coverage applies when the other driver has no insurance at all. Underinsured motorist coverage applies when they have insurance but it is not enough. Many people carry both because they address different situations. Some states require you to carry underinsured motorist coverage at the same limit as your uninsured motorist coverage, or to reject it in writing.

If you have both coverages and are hit by an underinsured driver, your insurer will first exhaust the other driver's liability policy, then pay the remaining damages up to your underinsured motorist limit. You cannot collect from both policies for the same damage, but you can collect the difference.

Hit-and-run accidents and uninsured motorist claims

If you are hit by a driver who leaves the scene, you may be able to file an uninsured motorist claim even though you cannot identify the driver. Most states treat hit-and-run as an uninsured motorist situation because the at-fault driver's insurance is unavailable to you. However, your state may require you to file a police report within a specific time frame (often 24 to 72 hours) and to show that you took reasonable steps to identify the driver.

Some insurers require a police report number and proof that you reported the hit-and-run promptly. A few states require you to have collision coverage in order to claim uninsured motorist coverage for a hit-and-run, so check your policy and your state's rules. If you have a dashcam or witness information, provide that to police and your insurer—it strengthens your claim.

Hit-and-run claims can take longer to process because your insurer cannot contact the other driver's insurer or verify fault through a third party. Be prepared to provide detailed information about the accident, the other vehicle (color, size, partial license plate if visible), and the time and location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does uninsured motorist coverage explore if I am hit while parked?

Yes, if an uninsured driver hits your parked car, you can file an uninsured motorist claim. You will need the police report and the other driver's information if available. If the driver leaves the scene, follow your state's hit-and-run procedures and provide your insurer with any witness information or dashcam footage.

What if the other driver says they have insurance but cannot show proof?

Your insurer will verify whether the other driver actually has a policy. If no active policy exists at the time of the accident, they are uninsured for your purposes, and your uninsured motorist coverage applies. Provide your insurer with the other driver's name and any insurance company name they claim to use.

Can I sue the uninsured driver after my insurer pays me?

Your insurer may pursue subrogation, which means they try to recover what they paid from the at-fault driver. If they recover money, you may receive a refund of your deductible. You can also sue the other driver directly in small claims or civil court, but collecting a judgment from someone with no insurance is often difficult.

Does my deductible explore to uninsured motorist claims?

In most states, your uninsured motorist deductible (often $250 or $500) applies to property damage claims. For bodily injury claims, many states do not explore a deductible, though some do. Check your policy or ask your insurer what deductible, if any, applies to your UMBI coverage.

What if I was partially at fault for the accident?

Your state's comparative negligence rules explore. If you were 20 percent at fault and your damages are $10,000, you receive $8,000 (80 percent). Your insurer will determine fault based on the police report and statements from both drivers. If you disagree with their information, you can dispute it or seek legal counsel.