Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage pays for your injuries and, in some states, your vehicle damage when a driver with no insurance hits you. Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage pays when the at-fault driver's limits aren't enough. It's required in South Carolina and North Carolina and strongly recommended in Florida, Georgia and Alabama, where many drivers carry no or minimal coverage.
The problem it solves
Liability insurance only pays if the at-fault driver has it. Roughly one in five drivers in some Southeast states carries no insurance at all, and many more carry only state minimums. UM/UIM makes sure your own policy pays when theirs can't.
UM vs. UIM
UM applies when the other driver has no insurance (or it's a hit-and-run). UIM applies when they have insurance but not enough to cover your injuries.
State by state
South Carolina requires UM at 25/50/25. North Carolina requires UM/UIM at least equal to your liability limits (50/100/50 minimum). Florida, Georgia and Alabama make it optional but require insurers to offer it; you must reject it in writing.
How much to carry
A good rule is to match your UM/UIM limits to your bodily injury liability limits. Because it's priced on injury risk rather than vehicle value, it's typically one of the least expensive coverages per dollar of protection.
Stacked vs. non-stacked
In Florida and some other states, "stacked" UM multiplies your limit by the number of vehicles on the policy. It costs more but can make a significant difference after a serious crash.
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Frequently asked questions
Does uninsured motorist coverage cover hit-and-run?
Generally yes for bodily injury. Coverage for vehicle damage from a hit-and-run varies by state and policy.
Is UM coverage expensive?
No. It's usually a small fraction of the total premium relative to the protection it provides.