What is Uninsured Motorists (UM) Coverage?

Uninsured motorists (UM) coverage indemnifies the insured for bodily injury only because of an accident with a legally liable uninsured motorist. Only compensatory damages are covered; punitive damages are specifically excluded. Some states offer property damage coverage in addition to bodily injury coverage. The following conditions must be met for an insured to be indemnified:

• The loss must be caused by an auto accident and involve bodily injury (in most states)

• The loss must be sustained by an insured

• The insured must be legally entitled to recover for bodily injury damages

Definition of an uninsured motor vehicle:

• Has no liability coverage at the time of the incident

• Has liability coverage but not enough to meet the state’s financial responsibility requirement

• Is operated by a hit-and run driver who cannot be identified who strikes an insured or family member, the insured’s covered auto, or any auto occupied by the insured or a family member

• Has invalid liability coverage at the time of the accident because the insurer is insolvent or denies coverage.

Who is insured?

• The named insured and family members

• Anyone occupying the named insured’s covered auto

• Any person entitled to recover damages because of bodily injury caused by an uninsured motorist to the named insured, family members, or passengers in the covered auto