Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist coverage (UM/UIM)
Don’t pay out of pocket for an accident that’s not your fault.
What is Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist coverage?
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) insurance provides coverage for you and your vehicle if you’re involved in an accident that you didn’t cause with a driver who doesn’t have car insurance or doesn’t have enough coverage, or if you’re involved in a hit-and-run accident.
Collision coverage protects you in similar situations, but it does not cover any medical expenses as Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury (UMBI) or UIM Bodily Injury would.
UM/UIM Property Damage
UM/UIM Property Damage (UMPD) coverage helps you if there is damage to your vehicle after an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver.
UM/UIM Bodily Injury
UM/UIM Bodily Injury (UMBI) coverage helps to pay for your medical expenses and lost wages if you’re injured because of an underinsured or uninsured driver.
How Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist coverage works
Let’s say you’re in an accident with someone who is underinsured, and the accident isn’t your fault.
In this example, the accident caused $15,000 worth of damage to your vehicle, but the driver only has $5,000 of coverage. That means the extra $10,000 would be your responsibility. In this situation, UM/UIM coverage would help make up the difference for financial responsibility.
Similarly, let’s say you’re in the same accident (it’s still not your fault), but this time, the driver is driving without insurance. The $15,000 of damage from the accident falls on you to pay, even though the accident wasn’t your fault.
Is UM/UIM car insurance required in my state?
In most states, UM/UIM coverage is optional, but some states require drivers to carry UM coverage, UIM coverage, or both. Below are the states where Root offers auto insurance that require UM/UIM coverage:
How much does Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist coverage cost?
The cost of Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage depends on the coverage limits you select. Higher limits generally increase your insurance premium but provide more financial protection if you're involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver. Your rate also depends on factors like your location, driving history, and policy details.
Higher coverage limits
Choosing higher UM/UIM limits generally increases your insurance premium, but provides greater financial protection if an uninsured or underinsured driver causes an accident.
Lower coverage limits
Selecting lower UM/UIM limits generally keeps your insurance premium lower, but you'll have less financial protection if your expenses exceed your coverage limits.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist coverage FAQs
What states have the highest percentage of uninsured drivers?
According to the Insurance Information Institute, Florida is ranked #1 in highest percentage of uninsured drivers at 26.7%, followed by Mississippi, New Mexico, Michigan, and Tennessee.
Only 6.15% of New Yorkers are uninsured, making the Empire State #50.
How much Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage should I have?
The amount of UM/UIM coverage you choose depends on your budget, state requirements, and how much financial protection you want if you're involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver.
With UM/UIM coverage, you select the maximum amount Root will pay for a covered claim (the coverage limit). For example, if an uninsured driver causes an accident that results in $10,000 in covered medical expenses, a $10,000 Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury (UMBI) limit would cover those expenses, subject to your policy terms. If your covered medical expenses total $12,000, you would be responsible for the remaining $2,000. UM/UIM Bodily Injury coverage does not have a deductible.
In the Root app, you can see instantly how your insurance rate changes based on your selected coverage limits.
Does Underinsured Motorist insurance cover hit-and-run accidents?
Yes, in most states Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury (UMBI) coverage pays for your injuries after a hit-and-run, because a driver who flees and can’t be identified is treated as uninsured. UMBI coverage can help pay for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering for you and your passengers.
Damage to your car works differently. Many states’ Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) coverage pays only if the other driver is identified, so collision coverage is recommended to help pay for your vehicle’s repairs after a hit-and-run (minus your deductible).
How does UM/UIM coverage work with health insurance or PIP?
If you have health insurance, it may cover the cost of any injuries from an accident. Before you choose your health insurance policy over UM/UIM coverage, you’ll need to consider:
Your deductible: Health insurance plans often have deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs, while UM/UIM Bodily Injury coverage does not have a deductible. Learn more about deductibles.
Other insurance: If you have PIP or MedPay as part of your auto insurance policy, you may not need to use your health insurance.
What is stacked Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage?
Stacked UM/UIM coverage lets you combine the uninsured/underinsured motorist limits for each vehicle on your policy into one larger amount of protection.
For example, if you insure three cars, each with $25,000 per person in UM coverage, stacking gives you up to $75,000 per person if an uninsured or underinsured driver injures you.
Without stacking (called “unstacked” or “non-stacked” coverage), you’re limited to the UM/UIM limit for a single vehicle, no matter how many cars are on your policy.
Stacked coverage costs more than unstacked, but it can make a big difference after a serious accident, because medical bills can quickly exceed a single vehicle’s limit.
Not every state allows stacking. Some states make it the default unless you reject it in writing. Other states allow auto insurance companies to decide to allow stacking.
Can I reject Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage?
It depends on where you live. In many states, UM/UIM coverage is automatically included in your auto policy, but you can decline it by signing a written rejection form, usually on a state-approved document your insurer provides.
States where UM/UIM is included in auto insurance policies, but can be rejected in writing include: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming
States where UM/UIM must be offered, but is optional to buy are: Arizona, Nevada, and Pennsylvania
States where UM/UIM is not required: Michigan and Ohio
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