Updated July 2026
What Is Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage Insurance?
Uninsured motorist coverage (UM) and underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) protect you when the at-fault driver can't pay for the damage they caused. UM kicks in when the other driver has zero insurance. UIM activates when their policy limit is too low to cover your medical bills or vehicle repair costs. Both coverages step in only after you've exhausted the at-fault driver's liability policy — they don't replace your own collision or medical payments coverage.
- You're stopped at a red light when another driver rear-ends you at 40 mph. You suffer $18,000 in medical bills and your vehicle sustains $9,000 in damage. The at-fault driver has no insurance. Your uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage pays your medical bills up to your policy limit, and if you carry uninsured motorist property damage, it covers your vehicle repair minus your deductible.
- A driver runs a stop sign and T-bones your car. You sustain $75,000 in medical expenses and lost wages. The at-fault driver carries Kansas's minimum $25,000 bodily injury liability. Their insurer pays the $25,000 limit, leaving you $50,000 short. Your underinsured motorist coverage pays the remaining $50,000, up to your UIM policy limit.
- You're driving three passengers when an uninsured driver causes a head-on collision. Total medical bills across all occupants reach $120,000. Your $100,000 UM bodily injury limit is split among all injured parties in your vehicle. Each person's payout depends on their injury severity and your total policy limit — not a per-person cap.
Who Needs Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage Insurance?
You should carry UM/UIM if you drive frequently in areas with high uninsured driver rates, if your health insurance has high deductibles or excludes auto accident injuries, or if you can't afford to cover a $20,000 medical bill out of pocket. It's especially valuable if you carry passengers regularly — your UM bodily injury limit protects everyone in your vehicle, not just you.
Compare your UM/UIM cost to your health insurance deductible and out-of-pocket max. If a serious accident would leave you with a $10,000 medical gap and UM coverage costs $150 per year, the math favors coverage. If your health plan caps your exposure at $2,000 and you have collision coverage, the incremental protection may not justify the premium.
How Much Does Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage Insurance Cost?
Adding UM/UIM coverage typically costs $8 to $18 per month, or roughly $95 to $215 annually, depending on your selected limits and whether you include property damage coverage.
- Your UM/UIM policy limit — higher limits cost more, but the per-dollar price drops as limits increase.
- Whether you add uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) alongside bodily injury coverage.
- Your state's uninsured driver rate — Kansas sits near the national average, so premiums reflect moderate risk.
- Stacking provisions if you insure multiple vehicles — stacked coverage combines limits across all cars but costs 30-60% more.
- Your liability limits — most carriers require your UM/UIM limits to match or stay below your liability coverage.
- Claim history on UM/UIM — filing a UM claim can raise future premiums even though you weren't at fault.