Uninsured Motorist Protection

Overview

Not every driver on the road is insured. Uninsured motorist (UM) protection pays for your injuries, and in some policies your vehicle damage, when the responsible driver cannot pay.

Types of cover

UM bodily injury: medical bills and lost wages for you and your passengers.
UM property damage: repairs to your vehicle.
Underinsured motorist (UIM): tops up the difference when the other driver's limits are too low.

Hit-and-run accidents

Many UM policies also respond to hit-and-run incidents, provided you report the accident to the police promptly.

Car insurance protects you, your vehicle and other road users from the financial impact of accidents. The most basic layer is third-party liability, which pays for damage or injury you cause to others. It satisfies the legal minimum in most places but does nothing for your own car.

Own damage cover fills that gap by paying for repairs or replacement after accidents, theft, fire or natural disasters. Personal accident cover adds compensation for injury, disability or death, while uninsured motorist protection steps in when the other driver has no valid insurance.

For the broadest protection, a comprehensive policy combines all of these layers and usually lets you add optional extras. Compare quotes, check the claim process and look at deductibles before choosing a plan that suits your driving habits and budget.