Question 1

Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage required in my state?

Accepted Answer

Twenty-two states plus Washington D.C. require Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury coverage, while the rest either make it optional or require insurers to offer it with a signed rejection form. For example, Illinois mandates 25/50 UMBI, California requires an offer but allows rejection, and Florida makes it entirely optional. Check your state's Department of Insurance website for specific requirements.

Question 2

What's the difference between Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage?

Accepted Answer

Uninsured Motorist Coverage pays when the at-fault driver has no insurance at all or flees the scene. Underinsured Motorist Coverage activates when the at-fault driver carries insurance but their limits are too low to cover your damages—if they have 25/50 liability but caused $60,000 in injuries, UIM pays the gap. Most insurers bundle UM and UIM together as a single coverage.

Question 3

Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage cover hit-and-run accidents?

Accepted Answer

Yes, UMBI covers injuries from hit-and-run drivers who flee the scene, and UMPD covers vehicle damage in most states. You'll typically need to file a police report within 24-72 hours and provide evidence of the crash—dash cam footage, witness statements, or physical damage. Some states require you to prove contact occurred, while others cover single-vehicle crashes if you can document an unidentified hit-and-run driver caused it.

Question 4

How much Uninsured Motorist Coverage should I buy?

Accepted Answer

Match your UMBI limits to your liability limits—if you carry 100/300 liability, select 100/300 UMBI for symmetrical protection. Most states cap UMBI at your liability limit, so you can't buy more. Consider stacked coverage if your state allows it and you own multiple vehicles, which multiplies your limits by the number of cars but also increases premiums proportionally.

Question 5

Will Uninsured Motorist Coverage pay if I don't have health insurance?

Accepted Answer

Yes, UMBI pays medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering from crashes caused by uninsured drivers regardless of whether you have health insurance. It functions as primary coverage for auto-related injuries. This makes UMBI especially critical for drivers without health coverage, as medical bills from even moderate crashes can reach $20,000-50,000.

Question 6

What is stacked vs. unstacked Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

Accepted Answer

Stacked coverage multiplies your UMBI limits by the number of vehicles on your policy—if you have two cars with 50/100 UMBI each, stacked coverage gives you 100/200 in total limits. Unstacked coverage caps limits at the per-vehicle amount regardless of how many cars you insure. Stacking typically costs 30-60% more but provides significantly higher protection; it's available in about 20 states including Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Florida.

Question 7

Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage increase my premium if I file a claim?

Accepted Answer

Typically no, since you weren't at fault—most insurers treat UM claims as not-at-fault and don't surcharge your premium at renewal. However, some insurers may still raise rates 5-15% based on overall claims history even for not-at-fault incidents. State laws in California, Oklahoma, and a few others explicitly prohibit rate increases for not-at-fault UM claims.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage Explained

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