The Insurance You Hope You Never Need But Shouldn’t Drive Without

Even if you’re a careful driver, you can’t control whether other drivers carry adequate insurance. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) protects you when at-fault drivers lack sufficient insurance to cover your damages.

What UM/UIM Coverage Provides

Uninsured motorist coverage pays for your injuries when at-fault drivers have no insurance. Underinsured motorist coverage fills the gap when negligent drivers carry insurance but policy limits don’t cover your full damages. This coverage essentially substitutes for the missing or insufficient insurance the other driver should have carried.

Common Scenarios

You’ll need this coverage when hit-and-run drivers flee the scene, when at-fault drivers carry only minimum state-required liability limits ($25,000-$50,000 in many states), or when uninsured drivers cause serious accidents resulting in damages exceeding their ability to pay.

How Much Coverage to Buy

Insurance experts recommend UM/UIM coverage equal to your liability limits. If you carry $250,000 in liability coverage, purchase matching UM/UIM protection. This ensures consistent protection whether you cause an accident or become a victim of someone else’s negligence.

Stacking vs. Non-Stacking

Some states allow “stacking” multiple vehicles’ UM/UIM coverage. If you insure three cars with $100,000 UM/UIM each, stacking provides $300,000 total coverage. Non-stacking policies limit recovery to one vehicle’s coverage regardless of how many you insure.

Cost Considerations

UM/UIM coverage is relatively inexpensive—often adding only $50-$150 annually to premiums. This modest cost provides substantial protection against potentially devastating financial losses when negligent drivers lack adequate insurance.

Making Claims

Filing UM/UIM claims involves notifying your own insurance company and potentially arbitrating disputes about damages or coverage. Having an attorney experienced in UM/UIM claims helps maximize recovery from your own insurer when other drivers cannot pay.