Unless you’re a resident of New Hampshire or Virginia, every other state in the U.S. requires drivers to be insured before hitting the road. However, depending on your state, up to one in five drivers are uninsured due to various circumstances. If you’re in an accident with an at-fault and uninsured driver, you could find yourself facing substantial financial losses. Your insurance might refuse to pay for any of your medical bills or any damage to your vehicle, and the at-fault driver won’t have the coverage to reimburse you either. Uninsured Motorist Insurance is the best way to prevent this scenario from happening and protect yourself against financial losses from another driver’s lack of coverage.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Depending on your state, the different types of Uninsured Motorist Coverage available to you will vary. In general, Uninsured Motorist Coverage can be broken down into two categories:
• Uninsured Motorist Insurance/Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury Insurance. This insurance covers you and your passengers’ medical bills if you’re in an accident with an at-fault, uninsured driver. It can also reimburse you and your passengers for any wages lost during the period you were hospitalized. Pedestrians can also use this policy if they’re the victim of a hit-and-run or hit by an uninsured driver.
• Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Insurance. The previous type of insurance will pay for any bodily injuries you received during your accident, but it won’t cover damage to your vehicle or other property. UMPDI will cover the damage to your vehicle along with property damage, such as damage to your house or fence. Note that this coverage isn’t available in every state.
What Is the Difference Between Uninsured and Underinsured Coverage?
In addition to Uninsured Motorist Protection, some insurers offer Underinsured Motorist Protection. Underinsured Motorist Insurance is very similar to Uninsured Motorist Insurance, with some small differences. While Uninsured Motorist Insurance protects you against uninsured drivers, Underinsured Motorist Insurance covers you if you’re in an accident with an at-fault driver whose liability limits are too low to compensate you for damages.
There are two different types of Underinsured Motorist Coverage:
- Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury Insurance: Covers medical bills, lost wages, etc., if you get into an accident with an underinsured motorist whose liability limits cannot cover all of your expenses.
- Underinsured Motorist Property Damage Insurance: If the at-fault motorist covers some of the damage to your vehicle, but not all of it, then UIMPD will make up the difference.
Why Do I Need Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Which States Require Uninsured Motorist Insurance
The following states require Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury Insurance:
- Connecticut
- The District of Columbia
- Illinois
- Kansas
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- New Jersey
- New Hampshire*
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Oregon
- Rhode Island**
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Vermont
- Virginia***
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
The following states require Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Insurance:
- The District of Columbia
- Maryland
- New Jersey
- New Hampshire*
- North Carolina
- Rhode Island**
- South Carolina
- Vermont
- Virginia***
- West Virginia
*Insurance is not required in New Hampshire, but Uninsured Motorist Insurance and Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Insurance are required if you decide you want to purchase a policy.
**Uninsured Motorist Insurance and Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Insurance are required in Rhode Island if you purchase more than the state’s minimum requirement for bodily injury auto liability coverage.
***Insurance is not required in Virginia if you can prove that you have the means to pay for any losses incurred during a car accident. If you decide to purchase insurance, you will also need Uninsured Motorist Insurance and Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Insurance.
Keep you, your family members, and your passengers safe with Uninsured Motorist Insurance from The General. The General has been specializing in affordable standard and non-standard insurance rates for 60 years, and you can secure a free quote online in two minutes or less. Driving without insurance? Don’t risk your safety or your financial health. The General has policies to fit every need and budget, including policies for drivers with imperfect records and high-risk drivers; we even offer customers a discount if their record improves over time. If you’ve had difficulty purchasing affordable auto insurance in the past, then give The General a try today.