Uninsured Motorist Coverage: How It Pays Your Medical Bills After an Accident

If an at-fault driver has no insurance (or flees), your Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage pays your medical bills and other damages up to your policy limits. If the at-fault driver has insurance but it's insufficient, Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage bridges the gap.

How It Works

• UM: At-fault driver has $0 liability coverage. Your UM pays your damages (medical, lost wages, pain/suffering) up to your UM limit.
• UIM: At-fault driver's liability limit < your damages. Your UIM pays the difference, up to your UIM limit.

Key Points

• UM/UIM is optional in most states but highly recommended.
• Limits often match your liability limits (e.g., 100/300).
• Stacking (combining limits across vehicles) allowed in some states.
• Without UM/UIM, you must sue the at-fault driver personally—difficult if they have no assets.

Check your policy declarations page and discuss adequate UM/UIM limits with your agent.