Updated April 2026
What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage Insurance?
Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM) protects you when an at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage to pay for your injuries, vehicle damage, and other losses. The coverage includes two parts: Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury (UMBI) pays medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering when an uninsured driver injures you, while Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) covers damage to your vehicle. This coverage also applies in hit-and-run accidents where the at-fault driver cannot be identified. For senior drivers, UMBI is especially valuable because medical costs from accident injuries average 40% higher for those over 65, and Medicare typically does not cover auto accident injuries until other insurance is exhausted.
- You're stopped at a red light when an uninsured driver rear-ends you. You suffer a shoulder injury requiring surgery, with medical bills totaling $45,000, plus $8,000 in lost income during recovery. The at-fault driver has no insurance. Your Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury coverage with a $50,000 limit pays the full $53,000. Without this coverage, you would need to sue the uninsured driver personally — a process that typically recovers little to nothing since most uninsured drivers lack assets.
- A driver sideswiping your parked car causes $4,200 in damage and flees the scene. Police cannot identify the driver. Your Uninsured Motorist Property Damage coverage with a $3,500 limit pays that amount minus your $500 deductible, covering $3,000 of the repairs. You pay the remaining $1,200 out of pocket. Without UMPD coverage, you would either use your collision coverage (if you have it) or pay the full $4,200 yourself.
- A driver with minimum state liability coverage of $25,000 runs a stop sign and causes a collision that leaves you with $67,000 in medical bills and rehabilitation costs. Their insurance pays their $25,000 limit. Your Underinsured Motorist coverage with a $100,000 limit pays the remaining $42,000. Over age 65, recovery from accident injuries often requires extended physical therapy and home health services that quickly exceed minimum liability limits — making underinsured motorist protection especially valuable.
Who Needs Uninsured Motorist Coverage Insurance?
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is strongly recommended for all senior drivers, particularly those in states where it's optional. If you live in a state with uninsured driver rates above 10% (including Florida at 20.4%, New Mexico at 21.8%, Michigan at 25.5%, or Mississippi at 15.2%), this coverage protects against a significant risk. Senior drivers should especially consider UM coverage because medical costs from accident injuries are substantially higher after age 65, Medicare does not cover auto accident injuries as primary insurance, and recovery periods are longer — making the financial impact of an uninsured driver collision far more severe.
If your state requires UM coverage, maintain at least the minimum — but strongly consider increasing limits to match your liability coverage, especially if you have significant assets to protect or limited health coverage for auto accidents. If your state makes UM optional, evaluate your area's uninsured driver rate and your own financial ability to absorb $50,000+ in medical costs from someone else's negligence. For most senior drivers, carrying UMBI coverage with limits matching your liability policy provides essential protection for less than $20 per month.
How Much Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Insurance Cost?
Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury coverage typically costs $8–$18 per month ($96–$216 annually) for senior drivers with standard driving records, while adding Uninsured Motorist Property Damage costs an additional $3–$7 per month ($36–$84 annually). Combined UMBI and UMPD coverage usually runs $11–$25 per month ($132–$300 annually). These costs represent approximately 5–8% of your total premium for comprehensive full-coverage policies.
- Coverage limits selected — higher limits ($100,000/$300,000) cost 40–60% more than minimum required limits ($25,000/$50,000)
- State requirements — mandatory UM states have 15–25% lower premiums due to larger risk pools compared to optional-coverage states
- Uninsured driver rates in your area — states with 20%+ uninsured rates see premiums 30–50% higher than low-uninsured states
- Your liability coverage limits — UM limits typically cannot exceed your liability limits, affecting available options
- Stacking options — states allowing stacked coverage (multiplying limits by number of vehicles) charge 25–40% more for this feature
- Age-based discounts — many carriers offer 5–10% UM premium reductions for drivers over 65 with clean records