What is uninsured motorist car insurance?

Uninsured motorist car insurance will cover your injuries, your passengers' injuries, and damages to your vehicle if the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured. Uninsured motorist auto insurance is one of the most important coverages you can add to your policy even if it raises your car insurance rates. Find affordable uninsured motorist car insurance coverage with our free quote comparison tool below.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

By clicking, you agree to our Terms of Use

Nationwide State Farm Allstate
AllstateState FarmNationwideLiberty MutualFarmers Insurance

Find the Lowest Car Insurance Rates Today

Quote’s drivers have found rates as low as $42/month in the last few days!

Updated Jan 2025
Learn more about USAA, what products they offer, what their consumers think about them and how they compare ag... more
Learn more about USAA, what products they offer, what their consumers think about them and how they compare against other carriers. less
4.68
Good pricing $$
Updated Dec 2021
Learn more about Nationwide, what products they offer, what their consumers think about them and how they comp... more
Learn more about Nationwide, what products they offer, what their consumers think about them and how they compare against other carriers. less
4.00
Average pricing $
Updated Jul 2024
Allstate's best-in-class products and services help provide innovative protection and retirement solutions to ... more
Allstate's best-in-class products and services help provide innovative protection and retirement solutions to millions of households nationwide.\n\nOur evolving business strategies and solutions continue to reinvent the industry standards, helping our customers better protect what they have today and prepare for a brig less
3.98
Average pricing $
Updated Mar 2025
For more than 90 years, American Family has been protecting and supporting its customers with strong customer ... more
For more than 90 years, American Family has been protecting and supporting its customers with strong customer service. They claim to be more than just an insurance company. They want to transform the way you think about insurance. At AmFam, they believe your dreams are important and that is why they work hard to protec less
4.01
Average pricing $
Rachael Brennan

Licensed Insurance Agent

Rachael Brennan has been working in the insurance industry since 2006 when she began working as a licensed insurance representative for 21st Century Insurance, during which time she earned her Property and Casualty license in all 50 states. After several years she expanded her insurance expertise, earning her license in Health and AD&D insurance as well. She has worked for small health insuran...

Written by
Rachael Brennan
Ty Stewart

Licensed Insurance Agent

Ty Stewart is the founder and CEO of SimpleLifeInsure.com. He started researching and studying about insurance when he got his first policy for his own family. He has been featured as an insurance expert speaker at agent conventions and in top publications.  As an independent licensed insurance agent, he has helped clients nationwide to secure affordable coverage while making the process simpl...

Reviewed by
Ty Stewart

Updated November 2024

Key takeaways...

  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is one of the most important types of car insurance
  • There are many scenarios where uninsured motorist coverage can protect you
  • Other factors can raise your car insurance rates — adding uninsured motorist coverage, not so much

An optional feature to car insurance is the uninsured motorist policy coverage. Uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance is one of the most important types of coverage any driver should consider.

Most (if not all) states do not require drivers to have this coverage in state minimum car insurance requirements. However, that is not surprising due to the utterly ridiculous minimum car insurance limits most states set anyway.

Want to ensure that you have better and more affordable coverage? Enter your ZIP code above and compare at least three to four policies today!

Scenarios When Uninsured Motorist Coverage Protects You

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LH-6wizPE-g

Having an auto insurance policy which includes an uninsured motorist coverage provides protection for injuries to both the policyholder(s) and passenger(s) in the event of an accident where:

  • The at-fault driver does not have a liability policy or any car insurance at all
  • The at-fault driver has auto insurance coverage, but is underinsured, meaning their coverage is not enough to also pay for your claims
  • You are a victim of a hit-and-run car accident
  • The other driver has a policy no longer valid or coverage provided by a car insurance company who is not able to pay the claim or denies coverage

Uninsured/underinsured motorist car insurance also provides coverage for injuries sustained by a vehicle to the policyholders.

For example, if you are walking across the street and another car hits you, it is the uninsured motorist car insurance which will cover your medical expenses, lost wages, etc.

More About Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Many car insurance companies also provide coverage for physical property damaged by uninsured motorists, but this feature varies by state and by company.

Please note that most property damage would probably also be covered by your general homeowner’s insurance policy. Always check that you are not overpaying for insurance by having two separate policies which cover the same thing.

The cost of adding almost any supplemental insurance to your car insurance policy is very low, but the actual premium increase will vary depending on:

  • Your driving record
  • Your vehicle
  • Where you live
  • Marital status
  • Your credit history, etc.

Ultimately, it is up to the car insurance company to decide what factors are important.

And if you’d like to decide which car insurance quote is better, enter your ZIP code below and start comparison shopping today!

Get a FREE Quote in Minutes

Insurance rates change constantly — we help you stay ahead by making it easy to compare top options and save.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

By clicking, you agree to our Terms of Use

Nationwide State Farm Allstate
Farmers InsuranceAllstateState FarmNationwide