Updated June 2026
What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage Insurance?
Uninsured Motorist Coverage protects you when the at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage to pay for your injuries. It also covers hit-and-run accidents where the driver cannot be identified. This coverage pays your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering up to your policy limits when the other driver's liability coverage is absent or inadequate.
- You're rear-ended on I-95 in Richmond and the driver flees. You have $18,000 in medical bills and miss three weeks of work. Your Uninsured Motorist Coverage pays your medical expenses and lost wages up to your policy limit because the at-fault driver cannot be identified. Without this coverage, you pay out of pocket unless you locate the driver and successfully sue.
- An uninsured driver runs a red light in Norfolk and T-bones your car. You suffer $25,000 in injuries and $12,000 in vehicle damage. Your Uninsured Motorist Coverage pays the $25,000 in injury costs up to your limit. Your collision coverage pays for the vehicle damage minus your deductible. Without UM coverage, you'd have to sue the uninsured driver directly—who likely has no assets to collect against.
- You're seriously injured by a driver carrying only Virginia's $25,000 minimum liability limit. Your medical bills total $65,000. The other driver's liability pays the first $25,000. If you carry $100,000 in Underinsured Motorist Coverage, it pays the remaining $40,000. Without underinsured coverage, you absorb the $40,000 gap or pursue a lawsuit against a driver who already carries minimum limits.
Who Needs Uninsured Motorist Coverage Insurance?
You should carry Uninsured Motorist Coverage if you cannot afford to pay for major medical bills out of pocket after an accident caused by someone with no insurance. Drivers who commute on I-95, I-64, or I-81 face higher hit-and-run risk due to high traffic volumes and limited enforcement. Drivers reinstating a suspended license often face higher premiums for liability coverage, making the low cost of UM coverage a cost-effective way to protect against financial loss from uninsured drivers.
Compare the monthly cost of UM coverage to your out-of-pocket medical coverage limits. If your health insurance has a $5,000 deductible and you'd struggle to cover that plus lost wages, the $10–$15 monthly cost is justified. If you carry excellent health and disability coverage through an employer, UM coverage duplicates protection you already have.
How Much Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Insurance Cost?
Uninsured Motorist Coverage typically adds $8–$15 per month to your premium in Virginia, or $96–$180 per year.
- Your coverage limits—$50,000 per person costs less than $100,000 per person.
- Whether you add Underinsured Motorist Coverage alongside uninsured coverage—bundling both raises the cost.
- Your county's uninsured driver rate—areas with higher uninsured rates see slightly higher premiums.
- Whether you select stacked or unstacked coverage—stacked multiplies your limits across vehicles and costs 15–30% more.
- Your driving record—drivers with violations or SR-22 filings pay 20–40% more for optional coverages including UM.