Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Suppose you are injured in an accident caused by an uninsured motorist? Or, what if you are injured by a hit-and-run driver?

This coverage is commonly referred to as UM coverage. This coverage is important and is required in many states because even in mandatory insurance states there are still vehicles without insurance coverage in force at some time during the year. This coverage pays for injuries, up to the coverage limit, caused by a driver who is uninsured, or an unidentified hit-and-run driver, who is legally liable for those injuries. This coverage also protects relatives who live with you, the occupants of your insured car, and while you are a pedestrian.

Please note that uninsured motorist coverage does not pay for damage to your car which was caused by an uninsured motorist. Damage to your car would be covered under collision coverage or uninsured motorist property damage coverage if it is allowed in your state and you carry it on your vehicle.

The coverages and limits vary by state:

• Arkansas allows for uninsured motorist coverage to be rejected in writing. If uninsured motorist coverage is purchased, the limit purchased cannot exceed the limit of bodily injury liability coverage purchased.
• Illinois requires the purchase of uninsured motorist coverage with minimum limits of $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident. The amount of coverage purchased must match the limit of bodily injury liability coverage purchased unless the higher limit is rejected in writing.
• Indiana uninsured motorist coverage limits cannot exceed the bodily injury liability coverage limits.  This coverage must be rejected in writing if not desired.
• Kansas uninsured motorist coverage includes underinsured motorist coverage. Kansas requires a minimum uninsured motorist limit of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. The amount purchased must match the limit of Bodily Injury Liability coverage unless the higher limit is rejected in writing.
• Louisiana refers to this coverage as UMBI, which includes underinsured motorist coverage. This coverage limit cannot exceed the bodily injury liability limits. The insured must reject in writing entire coverage or higher limits. 
• In Louisiana, Economic Only Uninsured Motorist (EOUM) coverage is also available.  This coverage also includes Economic Only Underinsured Motorist Coverage.  This coverage limit cannot exceed the bodily injury liability limits.
• Missouri requires a minimum uninsured motorist limit of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. The limit purchased cannot exceed the limit of bodily injury liability coverage purchased.
• Mississippi uninsured motorist coverage includes underinsured motorist coverage.  The limits for this coverage cannot exceed the bodily injury liability limits.  Coverage limits for uninsured motorist coverage that are less than the bodily injury liability limits must be rejected in writing.  If uninsured motorist coverage is not desired, the coverage must be declined in writing.

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