Uninsured motorist coverage, or UM, addresses covered losses caused by an uninsured driver. Underinsured motorist coverage, or UIM, addresses situations where the at-fault driver has insufficient insurance. When requesting a quote, check which protections are included, their limits, and any property damage deductible. Hit-and-run coverage depends on the coverage type, state rules, and policy.
NAIC notes that 49 states and Washington, D.C. require drivers to have auto liability insurance before legally driving, although requirements vary by state [1]. Yet uninsured drivers remain a real issue: the Insurance Research Council estimated that the share of uninsured motorists rose from 12.6% in 2017 to 15.4% in 2023 [2].
Your quote should specify which uninsured and underinsured motorist coverages are included, along with their limits and premiums. Request these details in writing so you can compare offers on the same basis.
Protects Against Uninsured Drivers
UM bodily injury coverage can help with covered injuries when an uninsured driver causes an accident. Vehicle damage requires a separate applicable coverage.
Helps With Coverage Gaps
UIM coverage can help with covered losses when the at-fault driver has too little insurance, subject to your policy’s limits and payment rules.
Supports Financial Recovery
Depending on your policy and state, UM/UIM can help with medical expenses, lost wages, and other covered damages.
Why Uninsured Motorist Coverage Matters
Uninsured motorist coverage matters because you cannot control whether the other driver carries enough insurance. Even responsible drivers can be hit by someone who has no coverage, has allowed their policy to lapse, or only carries low minimum limits.
The financial impact can be serious. Medical bills, time off work, follow-up care, rehabilitation, vehicle repairs, and transportation costs can create a large burden. Without applicable UM/UIM coverage, you may need to rely on health insurance, collision coverage, personal savings, or recovery from the at-fault driver. Injury coverage and vehicle damage coverage pay for different kinds of losses.
| Risk | Without UM/UIM | How UM/UIM May Help |
|---|---|---|
| Uninsured driver | You may need to pay out of pocket or pursue the driver directly. | UM may help pay covered injury-related losses up to your limits. |
| Underinsured driver | The other driver’s policy may run out before your losses are paid. | UIM may help cover the gap, subject to policy terms. |
| Hit-and-run | You may have no at-fault driver to recover from. | UM bodily injury may apply; property damage coverage has separate eligibility and reporting rules. |
| Lost wages | Health insurance may not replace income. | UM/UIM may help with covered lost wages in some policies and states. |
Types of Uninsured Motorist Protection
UM/UIM protection can be structured differently depending on your state and insurer. Bodily injury coverage addresses covered injury losses. Uninsured motorist property damage, where available, addresses vehicle damage. Check each coverage separately on the quote.[3]
Coverage Types to Compare
- UMBI: Uninsured motorist bodily injury.
- UIMBI: Underinsured motorist bodily injury.
- UMPD: Uninsured motorist property damage, where available.
- Collision: A separate coverage that can pay for crash damage to your car, subject to its deductible.
What to Check
- Your per-person and per-accident limits.
- Whether UMPD is included or optional.
- Whether stacking, or combining eligible limits, is allowed by the policy and state.
- Whether a police report is required for hit-and-run claims.
Texas insurers must offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, and policyholders who decline it must do so in writing.[4] Hit-and-run rules also differ by coverage: California’s UMPD requires the uninsured driver to be identified, so it does not cover vehicle damage from an unidentified driver.[3]
How Much Uninsured Motorist Coverage Do You Need?
There is no single limit that suits every driver. Ask what UM/UIM limits are available alongside your liability coverage, then compare the added premium with the injury losses your household could struggle to absorb. A split limit shows a maximum for one injured person and a separate maximum for all injured people in one accident.
| Illustrative bodily injury limits | Maximum for one injured person | Maximum for all injured people in one accident |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 / $100,000 | $50,000 | $100,000 total |
| $100,000 / $300,000 | $100,000 | $300,000 total |
These examples explain split limits; available options depend on the insurer and state. The per-accident amount does not increase the per-person cap. Actual payments remain subject to covered damages, policy terms, and any applicable credits for other payments. Vehicle damage has its own coverage limits and deductible.
Your household’s needs, daily commute, and budget influence the UM/UIM limits you choose when comparing options before renewal. Ask how any umbrella or excess policy treats UM/UIM rather than assuming it includes this protection.
How to Compare UM/UIM Quote Costs
To assess UM and UIM cost differences fairly, request matching limits, deductibles, and policy terms from each insurer. Ask for the UM/UIM premium separately when it is available and compare the total policy cost as well.
| Quote detail | What to compare | Question to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Injury protection | UM and UIM limits per person and per accident. | Are both coverages included at the limits I requested? |
| Vehicle damage | UMPD availability, limit, and deductible alongside collision. | Which coverage would handle damage from an unidentified hit-and-run driver? |
| UIM payment rules | How the policy treats payments from the at-fault driver. | Can those payments reduce my available UIM benefit? |
| Total price | The same policy term, discounts, and payment-plan fees. | What is the full cost for the term, including installment fees? |
A quote is a premium estimate.[3] Before relying on the coverage, obtain confirmation of the policy or endorsement and its effective date from the insurer.
Financial Implications of Not Having UM Coverage
Without applicable protection, the financial risks of an uninsured-driver accident can extend beyond the repair bill. Medical expenses and missed work can affect your household while a claim is being resolved. Collecting directly from the at-fault driver can be difficult if they lack the resources to pay.
Medical Bills
Emergency care, imaging, surgery, physical therapy, and follow-up appointments can create large costs after a crash.
Lost Income
Time away from work can create stress even if health insurance helps with some medical bills.
Vehicle and Transportation Costs
Repairs, towing, and replacement transportation can add pressure. Check UMPD, collision, and rental coverage separately; bodily injury UM does not pay for vehicle repairs.
Common Misconceptions About Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Misconceptions
- “Health insurance is enough.”
- “Full coverage always includes UM/UIM.”
- “Uninsured drivers are rare.”
- “Minimum limits are always enough.”
- “I only need UM in big cities.”
Reality
- Health insurance may not replace lost wages or handle every loss.
- “Full coverage” is not a standardized term.
- Uninsured motorist rates vary, but the risk is real nationwide.
- Serious injuries can exceed minimum limits quickly.
- UM/UIM risk can exist in urban, suburban, and rural areas.
How to Add UM Coverage to an Existing Policy
The process of adding UM/UIM to an existing policy starts with your insurer or agent. Ask which limits are available, whether UMPD is offered, and when an approved change would take effect.
- Open your declarations page and check whether UM/UIM already appears.
- Ask for quotes at multiple limit levels.
- Confirm whether your state allows stacking.
- Ask whether hit-and-run claims require a police report.
- Compare the added cost against the financial risk of not carrying the coverage.
What to Do After an Accident With an Uninsured Driver
After a crash, the steps for dealing with an uninsured driver include documenting the scene and notifying your insurer promptly. Send claim reports and policy questions directly to the company handling your coverage.
If your policy is with Fred Loya Insurance, its official claims page lists 1-800-880-0472 for reporting a claim and provides the department’s operating hours.[5]
Immediate Steps
- Call emergency services if anyone is hurt.
- Get a police report or report number.
- Take photos of vehicles, damage, location, and documents.
- Collect witness contact information.
- Notify your insurer as soon as possible.
Keep These Records
- Medical bills and treatment notes.
- Repair estimates and towing receipts.
- Proof of missed work.
- Claim number and adjuster contact details.
- All written communication with insurers.
FAQ: Uninsured Motorist Coverage Quotes
Is uninsured motorist coverage required?
It depends on your state. Some states require UM/UIM coverage, some require insurers to offer it, and others allow drivers to reject it. Check your state rules and policy documents before deciding.
What does uninsured motorist coverage pay for?
Depending on the policy and state, uninsured motorist coverage may help with covered injury-related losses after a crash caused by an uninsured driver or, in some cases, a hit-and-run driver.
Is UM coverage the same as UIM coverage?
No. UM generally applies when the at-fault driver has no insurance. UIM generally applies when the at-fault driver has insurance, but not enough to cover the full covered loss.
Does uninsured motorist coverage cover hit-and-run accidents?
It depends on the state, policy, and coverage type. UM bodily injury and UMPD can have different rules. Ask about reporting deadlines, police reports, physical contact requirements, and whether the other driver must be identified.
How much UM/UIM coverage should I carry?
Ask for quotes at the limits available with your liability coverage. Compare per-person and per-accident protection, the additional premium, and the losses your household could struggle to absorb. No single limit suits every driver.
Final Thoughts
Uninsured motorist coverage is important because it protects against a risk you cannot fully control: another driver’s failure to carry enough insurance. Even if you drive safely, you can still be hit by someone who has no coverage, low limits, or no identifiable insurance information after a hit-and-run.
Before choosing limits, compare your UM/UIM options, check state rules, review your financial exposure, and ask how much it costs to raise limits. Check the actual price difference and confirm when any selected coverage takes effect.
References
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Uninsured Motorists. Liability insurance requirements and uninsured-driver estimates. ↩
- Insurance Research Council, Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists: 2017–2023. Historical estimates of uninsured driving. ↩
- California Department of Insurance, Automobile Insurance. Coverage definitions, California UMPD rules, and quote comparison. ↩
- Texas Department of Insurance, Auto insurance guide. Texas UM/UIM offers, rejection requirements, and policy limits. ↩
- Fred Loya Insurance, File a Claim. Official claims reporting contact information. ↩