Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Underinsured motorist coverage is an auto insurance policy option which covers the policyholder, authorized drivers, and his/her passengers for bodily injury and property damage incurred in an accident caused by a driver who has insufficient auto insurance coverage to cover the total damages. Underinsured motorist coverage typically covers the difference between your coverage limit and the other driver's coverage limit.
Underinsured motorist auto insurance can take the form of bodily injury coverage, property damage coverage, or both. Either of these forms of coverage may be mandatory in some states.
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Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage
Underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage pays for medical expenses, lost wages, and other general damages when policyholders, authorized drivers, or passengers are injured in an accident caused by a driver with insufficient auto insurance coverage. This type of auto insurance pays the difference between your coverage limit and the other driver's bodily injury coverage limit.
Underinsured Motorist Property Damage Coverage
Uninsured motorist property damage coverage protects the policyholder if his/her vehicle is damaged in an accident caused by a driver with insufficient auto insurance coverage. This typs of coverage pays the different between your coverage limit and the other driver's property damage coverage limit.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
In some states, underinsured motorist coverage is packaged with uninsured motorist coverage to form a single coverage. Furthermore, some states require drivers to purchase either:
- uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage, or
- uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage coverage.
Underinsured motorist coverage is available in most states, and mandatory in some. Coverage limits are determined when policies are purchased.
Do You Need Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Regardless of whether underinsured motorist coverage is required or not, drivers should purchase this type of coverage to maintain maximum insurance protection and to protect their assets. Hospital and other medical costs combined with lost wages and damages can add up quickly. Drivers without adequate insurance coverage may personally be held liable for costs not covered under their policies. You should purchase the highest coverage limits you can afford above those required by state laws.
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The following table outlines state-by-state underinsured motorist coverage requirements. Refer to state-specific pages for detailed auto insurance requirements.
AL - FL | GA - LA | ME - NH | NJ - RI | SC - WY
State |
Underinsured Motorists Coverage Required? |
Minimum Coverage Amount Required
*if purchased
(per person / per accident) |
|
| Alabama |
No |
|
| Alaska |
No |
|
| Arizona |
No |
|
| Arkansas |
No |
|
| California |
No |
|
| Colorado |
No |
|
| Connecticut |
Yes |
$20,000 / $40,000 |
| Delaware |
No |
|
| District of Columbia |
No |
$25,000 / $50,000 * |
| Florida |
No |
|
| Georgia |
No |
|
| Hawaii |
No1 |
$20,000 / $40,000 * |
| Idaho |
No |
|
| Illinois |
No |
|
| Indiana |
No |
|
| Iowa |
No1 |
$20,000 / $40,000 * |
| Kansas |
No |
|
|
| Kentucky |
No1 |
|
| Louisiana |
No |
|
| Maine |
Yes |
$50,000 / $100,000 |
| Maryland |
No |
|
| Massachusetts |
No |
|
| Michigan |
No |
|
| Minnesota |
Yes |
$25,000 / $50,000 |
| Mississippi |
No |
|
| Missouri |
No |
|
| Montana |
No |
|
| Nebraska |
No2 |
|
| Nevada |
No |
|
| New Hampshire |
No |
|
| New Jersey |
No |
|
| New Mexico |
No |
|
| New York |
No |
|
| North Carolina |
No2 |
|
|
| North Dakota |
No |
|
| Ohio |
No |
|
| Oklahoma |
No |
|
| Oregon |
No |
|
| Pennsylvania |
No1 |
$15,000 / $30,000 * |
| Rhode Island |
No |
|
| South Carolina |
No |
|
| South Dakota |
No |
|
| Tennessee |
No |
|
| Texas |
No |
|
| Utah |
No1 |
$10,000 / $20,000 * |
| Vermont |
Yes |
$50,000 / $100,000 |
| Virginia |
Yes |
$25,000 / $50,000 |
| Washington |
No |
|
| West Virginia |
No |
$20,000 / $40,000 * |
| Wisconsin |
No |
$50,000 / $100,000 * |
| Wyoming |
No |
|
|
|
1 Underinsured Motorist Coverage is not required by law, but must be rejected in writing if not purchased.
2 Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage is required by state law. Refer to state-specific page for more detailed coverage requirements.
3 Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage is optional, but if purchased, must equal Bodily Injury Liability limits.
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**Auto Insurance Finder is not an insurance broker or carrier. Content on this site is for comparison and informational purposes only. The products and services listed on this site may not be available in all states.
Last Updated: February 14, 2008
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