Question 1

Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage required for SR-22 filing?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your state. If your state mandates UM as part of minimum liability coverage (like Illinois, Virginia, or South Carolina), then yes—your SR-22 policy must include it, and any lapse will reset your filing period. In states where UM is optional (like Florida, Texas, or Arizona), you can file SR-22 with liability-only, but many non-standard insurers include UM by default because it protects both you and them from uninsured driver claims.

Question 2

Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage pay if I'm hit by a driver with no license?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Uninsured Motorist Coverage pays for your injuries and vehicle damage when you're hit by any driver who lacks liability insurance—whether they're unlicensed, driving with a suspended license, or simply uninsured. The at-fault driver's license status is irrelevant; what matters is that they have no valid liability policy to cover your damages. This makes UM especially valuable if you're reinstating your license and driving in areas with high rates of unlicensed or suspended drivers.

Question 3

Can I get Uninsured Motorist Coverage on a non-owner policy?

Accepted Answer

Yes, nearly all non-owner SR-22 policies include Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury (UMBI) coverage, and some states require it. Non-owner policies don't cover vehicle damage (since you don't own a car), so UMPD isn't applicable—but UMBI protects you if you're injured while driving a borrowed car, rental, or riding as a passenger and the at-fault driver is uninsured. Typical non-owner UMBI limits range from $25,000/$50,000 to $100,000/$300,000, adding approximately $3 to $10 per month.

Question 4

What's the difference between Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage?

Accepted Answer

Uninsured Motorist (UM) pays when the at-fault driver has no liability insurance at all or flees the scene in a hit-and-run. Underinsured Motorist (UIM) pays when the at-fault driver has insurance, but their policy limits are too low to cover your full damages—for example, they carry $25,000 in liability but your injuries cost $60,000. Many states bundle UM and UIM into a single coverage; others offer them separately, and some (like California) don't require UIM at all.

Question 5

Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage have a deductible?

Accepted Answer

Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury (UMBI) typically has no deductible—your policy pays your medical bills and lost wages up to your coverage limit with no out-of-pocket cost. Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD), where available, may have a deductible ranging from $0 to $500 depending on your state and insurer. Some states like California prohibit UMPD deductibles entirely, while others allow you to choose a deductible to lower your premium.

Question 6

Will my Uninsured Motorist Coverage pay if the other driver is never found?

Accepted Answer

For bodily injury (UMBI), yes—your policy will pay your medical bills and lost wages even if the hit-and-run driver is never identified, as long as you report the incident to police and your insurer promptly. For property damage (UMPD), it depends on your state: some require you to identify the at-fault vehicle or driver, while others like California allow UMPD to cover hit-and-run vehicle damage with no deductible. If UMPD won't apply, collision coverage is your only option for unidentified hit-and-run vehicle damage.

Question 7

How much Uninsured Motorist Coverage should I carry if I'm reinstating my license?

Accepted Answer

At minimum, match your state's required UM limits—often the same as your liability limits, such as $25,000/$50,000. However, if you're reinstating after a DUI or suspension and classified as high-risk, consider higher limits like $100,000/$300,000 because you're statistically more likely to be involved in a serious collision during the first year post-reinstatement. The cost difference is typically $5 to $15 more per month, but it protects you from devastating out-of-pocket costs if an uninsured driver causes severe injuries.

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