How much uninsured motorist coverage do i need?

Uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage protects you when another driver causes an accident but doesn’t have enough—or any—insurance. The amount you need depends on your state’s minimum requirements, your personal assets, and how much financial risk you’re willing to take.

🟩 Quick Definition 

Uninsured motorist coverage pays your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages if an uninsured or underinsured driver injures you. Experts recommend matching your liability limits.

How Much Coverage Should You Carry?

1. Meet or Exceed State Minimums

Every state sets its own minimum UM limits—often around $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident. While that’s a starting point, it may not cover serious injuries or extended recovery time.

2. Match Your Liability Coverage

Most insurance professionals suggest setting your UM/UIM limits equal to your bodily injury liability limits. For example, if your liability coverage is $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident, set the same for UM/UIM. This ensures you’re equally protected whether you cause the crash or someone else does.

3. Consider Your Assets and Income

If you own a home, savings, or valuable property—or depend on your income to support others—higher UM/UIM limits make sense. These protect your financial security if an uninsured driver causes major harm.

Typical Cost and Value

Uninsured motorist coverage is relatively inexpensive. Many drivers pay just $5 to $10 per month for basic protection. Considering that an accident with an uninsured driver could cost tens of thousands of dollars, it’s a smart investment.

FAQs

Q1. Is uninsured motorist coverage required in every state?
No. Some states require it, others make it optional, and a few allow you to reject it in writing.

Q2. What happens if the at-fault driver has no insurance?
Your UM coverage pays for your medical bills, lost income, and other covered damages up to your policy limit.

Q3. Should my UM coverage match my liability limits?
Yes. Matching limits simplifies your protection and ensures consistent coverage on both sides of an accident.

Q4. Does UM coverage include vehicle repairs?
Some policies include property damage coverage (UMPD), but others cover only bodily injury. Check your policy details.

Q5. What’s the difference between UM and UIM coverage?
Uninsured motorist (UM) covers you if the other driver has no insurance; underinsured motorist (UIM) covers you if they don’t have enough coverage to pay your damages.

Final Thoughts

Uninsured motorist coverage is a small monthly cost for significant protection. Start with your state’s minimum, match your liability limits, and consider increasing coverage if you have valuable assets or dependents. It’s one of the smartest additions you can make to your auto insurance policy.

Are you unsure how much uninsured motorist coverage you really need?
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