Do I need uninsured motorist insurance?

About uninsured motorist coverage

Uninsured motorist coverage is an automobile policy option which pays the policy owner and/or his passengers for medical bills, pain and suffering and lost wages if the driver at fault has no insurance.

This type of insurance is sometimes packaged with underinsured motorist coverage, which similarly covers damage caused by at-fault drivers with too little insurance.

The following states mandate uninsured motorist coverage: Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, Washington DC, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

In the other states, uninsured motorist coverage is optional. Some of these states also require underinsured motorist coverage. Consult the Insurance Information Institute Web site to find the laws in your state.

Even if it is not mandated by your state, it is very wise to have uninsured motorist coverage to protect yourself. In addition to covering damages caused by drivers that are not insured, it will also cover damaged caused to you and your passengers in a hit-and-run accident. It may also cover if you are a pedestrian hit by an uninsured motorist.