Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Raise My Premium
Adding uninsured motorist coverage will change your premium a little, but dropping it doesn't save you much and can cost you far more if you're hit by a driver with no insurance.
Yes, but usually by a small amount
Uninsured motorist coverage adds to your premium because it's another coverage your insurer is pricing in. It protects you when the other driver is at fault but carries no insurance, or not enough to cover what happened. The size of the increase depends on your insurer and on how common uninsured drivers are where you live.
In some states this coverage is required, so the question of adding it doesn't come up. In states where it's optional, insurers still price it based on risk in your area, not on your personal driving record the way they do with other coverages. That's why two drivers with the same clean record can see different changes to their premium for the same coverage.
Your state decides whether you have a choice
Some states require uninsured motorist coverage on every policy. If you live in one of those, your premium already reflects it and there's no decision to make.
In states where it's optional, you can usually decline it in writing, and your insurer can tell you what your premium looks like with and without it. Ask for both numbers side by side rather than guessing at the difference.
Even where it's optional, some states set a minimum amount of uninsured motorist coverage you must carry if you choose to have it at all. Your insurer or your state's insurance department can tell you what applies where you live.
The rate of uninsured drivers in your state or county also plays into the cost. That's set by your insurer's data, not by anything about you personally, so it's worth asking your agent what's driving the number if it seems high.
What people get wrong about dropping it
Some drivers drop uninsured motorist coverage thinking their health insurance or their own collision coverage will cover a crash with an uninsured driver. Health insurance may cover injuries, but it won't cover your car, and collision coverage comes with its own deductible that you'd pay out of pocket.
Others assume it only matters if they're hit by a driver with absolutely no insurance. It also applies when the at-fault driver has insurance that doesn't cover the full cost of the accident, which is more common than having no insurance at all.
If you're thinking about dropping this coverage to lower your premium, ask your insurer what a claim would look like without it. Compare that against what you'd actually save, not just the smaller number on your renewal notice.
Questions people ask about this
Does uninsured motorist coverage cover my car or just injuries?
It depends on whether you have the property damage version, the bodily injury version, or both. Some states only require one of the two. Your policy or your agent can tell you which you have.
Is uninsured motorist coverage the same as underinsured motorist coverage?
No, but they're often sold together. Uninsured covers you when the other driver has no insurance at all. Underinsured covers you when they have insurance but not enough to pay for the damage. Check your policy to see if you have both.
Will my rate go up after an uninsured motorist claim?
That depends on your insurer and your state, since this kind of claim isn't your fault. Some insurers treat it differently from an at-fault claim when they set your renewal rate. Ask your insurer directly before you file.
Can I add uninsured motorist coverage after I've already bought my policy?
Usually yes, through your insurer or agent, though some will only let you add it at renewal rather than mid-term. Ask what your options are and when the change would take effect.
Does uninsured motorist coverage cost more for older drivers?
Not in the way other coverages do. Insurers typically price this coverage on where you live and the rate of uninsured drivers there, not on your age or driving history. Ask your insurer how they price it if you want specifics for your policy.
See what adding or keeping this coverage actually changes on your premium before you decide.
Pull out your current policy or renewal notice and find the line for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Call your insurer or agent and ask for your premium quoted both with and without it, plus the minimum amount required in your state if any. Ask how they price this coverage, since it may be based on your area rather than your own driving record. If you're comparing quotes from other insurers, ask each one the same questions so you're comparing the same coverage, not just the same price.
