Coverage Options Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist
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:
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.
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 |
| DC | 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.
Compare auto insurance options with uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage by enter your zip code now. You could save $744* per year!
