Understanding Uninsured Motorist Limits
Roughly one in eight drivers may carry no insurance. Uninsured motorist coverage is your backstop when the at-fault party cannot pay.
Priya Natarajan·
Uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage steps in when another driver causes injury but lacks adequate liability insurance. Rules vary sharply by state—some require UM/UIM, others offer it as an optional endorsement.
Stacking limits carefully
Choosing UM limits equal to your bodily injury liability limits is a common starting point, but not a universal rule. If you carry low liability to save money but high UM, you are protecting yourself more generously than you protect others—which may or may not fit your values and budget.
- Confirm whether UM covers property damage in your state
- Ask if UM applies when you are a pedestrian or cyclist
- Review rejection forms if you choose lower UM than liability
After a serious collision, UM disputes can hinge on documentation of injuries and timing of notice to your carrier. Keep medical records organized from day one.