Protect Yourself with Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM) coverage can financially protect you from financially irresponsible drivers.

In the event you are in an accident caused by a driver who is uninsured, has too little coverage, or flees the scene, UM coverage can help pay for your expenses. Without UM coverage in such a scenario, you'd have to pay for your injury and property damage costs, even though the accident was not your fault.

UM coverage includes two components:

• Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI): Pays for your medical expenses in the event another driver with no insurance or insufficient coverage is at-fault in an accident that injuries you. UMBI will also cover your passengers if they are injured. UMBI can protect you from paying medical bills out of your own pocket.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage (UMPD): Pays to replace or fix the damage of your vehicle or property if you are in an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver. This coverage helps pay for your repair and replacement costs, so you do not pay out of your own pocket.

UM coverage lowers your financial risk by protecting you from financially irresponsible drivers. It can help pay for the injury and property damage costs caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver. Without UM, depending on where you live, you could end up paying for these costs out of your own pocket.

Do I need Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist (UM) Coverage?

Consider that in many states, over 20% of drivers are uninsured. In other words, if you are hit by another driver, there is a fair chance you could end up paying for your medical bills and repair costs from an accident that isn’t even your fault.

Depending on where you live, you may need to purchase UM coverage by law to meet your state’s minimum insurance requirements. Below are the 20 states that require uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, along with their minimum coverage amounts:

State	Minimum Coverage Amounts
Connecticut	Bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
District of Columbia	Bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident Property damage coverage of at least $5,000 per accident, subject to a $200 deductible
Illinois	Bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
Kansas	Bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
Maine	Bodily injury coverage of at least $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
Maryland	Bodily injury coverage of at least $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident Property damage coverage of at least $15,000 per accident
Massachusetts	Bodily injury coverage of at least $20,000 per person, $40,000 per accident
Minnesota	Bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
Missouri	Bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
Nebraska	Bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
New Hampshire*	Bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident Property damage coverage of at least $25,000 per accident
New York	Bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
North Carolina	Bodily injury coverage of at least $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident Property damage coverage of at least $25,000 per accident
North Dakota	Bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
Oregon	Bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
South Carolina	Bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident Property damage coverage of at least $25,000 per accident, subject to a $200 deductible
South Dakota	Bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
Vermont	Bodily injury coverage of at least $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident Property damage coverage of at least $10,000 per accident, subject to a $150 deductible
Virginia*	Bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident Property damage coverage of at least $20,000 per accident, subject to a $200 deductible
West Virginia	Bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident Property damage coverage of at least $25,000 per accident
Wisconsin	Bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident

If you do not live in the above states, UM coverage is optional. Even so, it can make financial sense to purchase UM coverage, as it typically will not add much to your monthly premium.

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