Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
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Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is auto insurance protection designed to help pay for medical costs, lost wages and other damages if you’re in an accident caused by a driver who has no insurance or not enough coverage. In some states, it may also help cover vehicle damage.
What is uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage?
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage can help cover medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and, in some states, vehicle damage after an accident caused by a driver who has no insurance or not enough coverage. It can also help with these costs if you’re hit by a car as a pedestrian, depending on your state.
What is the difference between uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage?
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverages are often included together in a policy, but they apply to different situations:
| Coverage type | When it applies | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Uninsured motorist | The at-fault driver has no insurance, or the driver can’t be identified in a hit-and-run | Damages such as medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering, up to policy limits; vehicle damage in some states, up to policy limits |
| Underinsured motorist | The at-fault driver has insurance, but not enough to cover the cost of the damages | After the other driver’s policy pays, coverage pays the remaining covered costs up to policy limits |
What is uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage?
Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage addresses physical injuries specifically, as opposed to vehicle or property damage. This bodily injury coverage can help pay for covered expenses like medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering for you, your passengers and, depending on your state and policy, pedestrians injured in the accident.
Who needs uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage?
Anyone who drives could benefit from uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. If you’re in an accident caused by a driver with no insurance or not enough coverage, the costs of the damages could fall on you. Some states require one or both coverages.
Consider adding this coverage if you:
- Drive or commute regularly.
- Regularly have passengers in your car.
- Moved to a state where this coverage is required or recommended.
More than one in seven drivers in the U.S. were uninsured in 2023, according to the Insurance Information Institute.1 That means there’s a real chance you could be in an accident with a driver who isn’t insured to cover the costs.
How much does uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage cost?
The cost of uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage can vary based on many factors, including where you live, your policy details and the limits you choose. Talking with your agent can help you find an option that fits your needs and budget.
What does uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage pay for?
This coverage is designed to help pay the costs of:
- Medical bills for you and your passengers.
- Lost wages if you’re unable to work while recovering.
- Pain and suffering.
- Vehicle damage, depending on your state and policy.
All coverage is subject to your policy’s limits. Vehicle damage coverage varies by state and may not be available under all policies.
When does uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage apply?
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is designed for when the driver who caused the accident isn’t insured or doesn’t have enough insurance to cover costs associated with the accident. Here are a few common examples of when these coverages could apply:
If you’re hit by a driver with no insurance
This coverage may help cover the costs of your injuries and other covered expenses up to policy limits when the at-fault driver has no policy in place.
If the other driver doesn’t have enough coverage
Underinsured motorist coverage may help pay the remaining covered costs when the at-fault driver’s policy falls short.
If you’re involved in a hit-and-run accident
If the other driver leaves the scene and can’t be identified, uninsured motorist coverage is designed to help cover costs. In some states, this may include vehicle damage.
If you’re hit as a pedestrian
Depending on the policy details, this type of coverage may help pay for your injuries even if you weren’t in a vehicle at the time of the accident.
Is uninsured motorist coverage required in your state?
Requirements vary. Some states require uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, while others make it optional. In certain states, you may be required to carry it unless you formally decline it in writing.
Even if it’s not required where you live, it may still be a good idea to consider the added financial protection this coverage offers, especially given the risk of uninsured drivers on the road.
How to file an uninsured motorist claim
If you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, a few simple steps can help move the process forward safely and ensure that your claim is managed efficiently.
- Call the police. Make sure the accident is documented, especially if the other driver doesn’t have insurance or leaves the scene.
- Get medical care, if needed. Even if injuries seem minor, it’s a good idea to get checked.
- Gather information at the scene. Take photos, note the location and collect witness contact details if any are available.
- Report the claim to your insurance company. Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to begin the process.
- Work with your claim representative. They can walk you through next steps, answer your questions and help keep the process on track, guide you through next steps and help collect all the information required to ensure that you feel supported through a smooth claim experience.
Get help with your auto insurance coverage
Not sure whether uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is right for you? You don’t have to figure it out on your own.
Contact your independent agent or Travelers representative to help you confidently determine whether it suits your needs.
Frequently asked questions about uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage
Health insurance alone may not be enough after an accident. It may help cover your medical bills, but it generally doesn’t extend to lost income or injuries to your passengers. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage may help pay for those costs when the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough to cover your expenses.
Not necessarily. This coverage may help pay for covered expenses, but only up to the limits in your policy. If the total cost of an accident exceeds your coverage limits, you may still be responsible for some expenses.
In many cases, hit-and-runs are covered by uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance. This coverage can apply to hit-and-run accidents if the driver who caused the accident can’t be identified.
Coverage can vary by state and by policy, so it’s a good idea to review your specific policy details.
Not all drivers carry adequate coverage, and if an uninsured or underinsured driver causes an accident, those costs could fall on you. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage may help protect you from that situation, making it worth considering even in states where it isn’t required.
