Updated: August 22, 2025
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Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage pays for accident expenses when the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough coverage to pay your bills.
UM covers medical bills, lost wages while you recover, pain and suffering compensation, funeral expenses and car damage in some states.
UM isn't required in all states, but many insurers include it in their policies.
Consider UM coverage if you live where many drivers are uninsured or can't afford to pay accident expenses like hospital bills and car repairs out of pocket.
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage protects you if you're in an accident caused by an uninsured driver, a driver whose coverage can't cover your costs or a driver whose insurance company denies their claim. UM pays for medical bills, lost wages and car damage when the accident isn't your fault.
You'll encounter two types of UM coverage. They're not always bundled together, though some states require both, so check with your insurer.
Uninsured motorist coverage protects you from injuries or property damage caused by an uninsured driver. An "uninsured driver" means someone who has no insurance, has coverage below state requirements or whose insurer denies the claim. UM coverage splits into two categories: uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI) and uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD).
Underinsured motorist coverage protects you when the at-fault driver's insurance doesn't cover all accident expenses. Many drivers carry only minimum liability coverage, which often isn't enough to pay for serious accidents.
UM covers accident expenses for you and your passengers, including:
Every UM policy differs, so ask your insurer what's covered. Compare several providers to see how their UM coverage stacks up against your current policy.
Which Companies Are Best for Uninsured
UM doesn't cover every accident expense, even when you're not at fault, so discuss full coverage car insurance details with your provider. Understanding your coverage before filing a claim saves headaches later. UM typically doesn't cover:
After an accident, contact your insurer immediately to report your UM claim. Some insurers have filing deadlines, so don't wait. You'll file the claim like any other car insurance claim, except you're claiming against your own insurance company.
Kevin rear-ends Jeff at a stoplight. Jeff sustains injuries and goes to the hospital, where he receives treatment for a few broken bones. Jeff’s medical bills amount to $45,000 for the treatment he received from the accident. Kevin’s insurance company offers to pay his total policy amount insured: $30,000, which falls short of total expenses accrued.
In this example, Jeff still needs $15,000 to cover his bills. Jeff files an uninsured motorist coverage claim to cover the rest of his medical expenses. Without uninsured motorist insurance, Jeff would have to pay that $15,000 out of pocket.
GEICO offers both Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury (UMBI) and Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) coverage. UMBI pays medical expenses, lost wages and related costs if an uninsured driver injures you. UMPD covers repair or replacement costs for your vehicle and property. GEICO's solid claims process and competitive rates make it popular.
Progressive provides UMBI and UMPD coverage, including protection against hit-and-run accidents where the at-fault driver can't be identified. Its online claims tools and Snapshot® program help you manage costs and track progress.
Nationwide's UM and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage includes both UMBI and UMPD, protecting you if you're hit by a driver with no or insufficient coverage. Its accident forgiveness and multi-policy discounts make UM coverage more affordable.
Most auto insurers offer UM coverage, but compare quotes from several providers to find the right plan.
Based on MoneyGeek analysis of coverage options, customer satisfaction data and industry ratings. Individual experiences may vary.
Unless your state requires UM coverage, you don't have to buy it. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't consider this protection. Ask yourself: Can you cover unexpected medical bills? Can you pay for car repairs out of pocket? Will you be able to work if injured? Most drivers answer "no" to these questions. Talk to your insurer about your options.
Not all states require UM insurance, but it could already be included in your auto insurance coverage, so check with your provider. The following states require UM insurance:
Remember that minimum liability limits vary by state, so be sure to discuss your required limits with each insurance provider when shopping for auto insurance quotes.
Uninsured driver rates vary by state. If you live where many drivers are uninsured, UM coverage protects you from paying accident costs yourself. The table below ranks each state by percentage of uninsured drivers.
Rank | State | Percentage of
Uninsured Drivers |
|---|---|---|
1 | Florida | 26.7% |
2 | Mississippi | 23.7% |
3 | New Mexico | 20.8% |
4 | Michigan | 20.3% |
5 | Tennessee | 20.0% |
6 | Alabama | 18.4% |
7 | Washington | 17.4% |
8 | Indiana | 16.7% |
9 | Arkansas | 16.6% |
10 | D.C. | 15.6% |
11 | Alaska | 15.4% |
12 | California | 15.2% |
13 | Rhode Island | 15.2% |
14 | New Jersey | 14.9% |
15 | Wisconsin | 14.3% |
16 | Texas | 14.1% |
17 | Missouri | 14.0% |
18 | Illinois | 13.7% |
19 | Colorado | 13.3% |
20 | Louisiana | 13.0% |
21 | Oregon | 12.7% |
22 | Ohio | 12.4% |
23 | Maryland | 12.4% |
24 | Arizona | 12.0% |
25 | Georgia | 12.0% |
26 | Kentucky | 11.5% |
27 | Minnesota | 11.5% |
28 | Delaware | 11.4% |
29 | Nevada | 10.6% |
30 | Hawaii | 10.6% |
31 | Oklahoma | 10.5% |
32 | West Virginia | 10.1% |
33 | Montana | 9.9% |
34 | Virginia | 9.9% |
35 | New Hampshire | 9.9% |
36 | Connecticut | 9.4% |
37 | South Carolina | 9.4% |
38 | Iowa | 8.7% |
39 | Utah | 8.2% |
40 | Idaho | 8.2% |
41 | Wyoming | 7.8% |
42 | South Dakota | 7.7% |
43 | Pennsylvania | 7.6% |
44 | Kansas | 7.2% |
45 | North Dakota | 6.8% |
46 | Nebraska | 6.8% |
47 | Vermont | 6.8% |
48 | North Carolina | 6.5% |
49 | Massachusetts | 6.2% |
50 | New York | 6.1% |
51 | Maine | 4.5% |
Source: Insurance Research Council.
Consider UM coverage costs when weighing your options. If your state's minimum liability coverage limits are low, UM coverage becomes more valuable.
Uninsured motorist coverage protects you if you're in a car accident caused by an uninsured driver.
Some states require all drivers to have UM coverage. Whether it's required or optional, understanding different coverage types helps you protect your family's finances.
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage protects you financially if you're hit by a driver with no insurance, too little insurance or in a hit-and-run. It covers medical bills, lost wages and property damage, giving you added security on the road.
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage pays for medical bills, lost wages and property damage if you're in an accident caused by a driver without insurance, a driver with too little insurance or a hit-and-run driver.
UMBI (Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury) covers injury-related expenses for you and your passengers. UMPD (Uninsured Motorist Property Damage) covers damage to your car or property.
UM coverage requirements vary by state. Some states mandate UM coverage while others make it optional. Check your state's insurance regulations to know what's required.
In most states, UM coverage pays for injuries or property damage caused by an unidentified hit-and-run driver, though proof requirements vary by state.
UIM applies when the at-fault driver has insurance but their coverage limits aren’t high enough to pay all accident-related expenses.
UM coverage pays for costs your health insurance doesn't cover, such as deductibles, lost wages and pain and suffering compensation.
UM coverage usually doesn't pay for rental cars or towing. You'll need separate rental reimbursement or roadside assistance coverage for those services.
Ideally, match your UM limits to your liability limits to ensure equal protection for yourself and others in your vehicle.
UM coverage applies if the at-fault driver's insurer refuses to pay their claim, treating them as effectively uninsured for your claim purposes.
Filing a UM claim can affect your rates depending on your insurer and state laws, but many providers won't raise rates for accidents that aren't your fault.
Our uninsured motorist coverage analysis draws from comprehensive nationwide data to help you understand this important protection and find the right coverage for your needs.
Data Sources
Quadrant Information Services: Provides rate data for uninsured motorist coverage across all 50 states and different driver profiles.
State Insurance Departments: Official requirements and regulations for uninsured motorist coverage by state.
Industry Sources:
Our Analysis Process
We evaluate uninsured motorist coverage based on:
Sample Driver Profile
Our rate comparisons use this baseline profile to ensure consistency:
Note: Not all states require uninsured motorist coverage. However, purchasing this coverage can protect you from paying significant costs if you're involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver.
Expert Review
Licensed insurance professionals review all coverage explanations and state requirement information to ensure accuracy. Our research team contacts insurance companies directly when clarification is needed on UM coverage specifics.
Disclaimer: Insurance regulations vary by state. Always verify uninsured motorist coverage requirements and options with your state's insurance department and insurance providers.
About Nicole Duxbury
Nicole Duxbury is a writer for MoneyGeek and a marketing and communications professional based in Reno, Nevada. She has more than six years of professional marketing and communications experience working with clients in finance, insurance, non-profit, international education, travel, food and beverage, consumer packaged goods, higher education and politics.
Nicole earned her bachelor of arts degree in psychology from the University of Oregon. She uses her knowledge of human psychology to create content that captures consumers' attention. Her expertise and passion lie in social media management and content curation for blogs and websites in these industries.
