State Requirements & Coverage Limits
Uninsured/underinsured motorist requirements vary by state — some mandate it, some require carriers to offer it, and minimum limits differ. Understanding your state's rules helps you avoid being underprotected.
UM/UIM Rules Are a Patchwork
There is no single national rule for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Whether you're required to carry it, whether your insurer must offer it, and what the minimum limits are all depend on your state. That patchwork is exactly why so many drivers are accidentally underprotected.
Three Kinds of States
- Mandatory UM/UIM states: you must carry it, usually at least at your liability limits.
- Mandatory-offer states: insurers must *offer* UM/UIM, and you can reject it — but the rejection generally must be in writing.
- Optional states: UM/UIM is available but not required, so it's easy to skip without realizing the exposure you're taking on.
Why Minimum Limits Are a Trap
Even where UM/UIM is required, the mandated minimums are often the same low numbers as liability — frequently $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident. Those limits were set decades ago and haven't kept pace with the cost of modern medical care. Carrying only the minimum can leave you badly exposed in a serious crash.
What to Actually Do
- Confirm whether your state requires UM/UIM — and whether you ever rejected it in writing without realizing it.
- Don't default to the minimum. Consider matching your UM/UIM limits to your liability limits, and raising both if your assets and income warrant it.
- Review after big life changes — a move to a new state, a new vehicle, a new driver, or growing assets.
We Know the State Rules
Because we're licensed in all 50 states, we can tell you exactly what your state requires, whether stacking and UMPD are available, and what limits make sense for your situation — then quote it. [Get a quote](/quote) to review your state's options.
What's Covered
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends. Some states require UM/UIM, some only require insurers to offer it (you can reject it in writing), and some make it optional. Even where it's required, the minimum limits are often very low. We can tell you exactly what your state requires and what limits make sense.
Because minimum limits — often $25,000 per person — haven't kept up with the cost of medical care. A single serious injury can far exceed that, leaving you to cover the rest. Matching your UM/UIM to your liability limits is a safer baseline.