Tennessee’s roads are busy, and a surprising number of drivers—roughly one in five—have no insurance at all. If one of them hits you, their empty wallet won’t cover your medical bills or car repairs. That’s where Uninsured Motorist Coverage comes in. It steps up when the at‑fault driver can’t, protecting you and your passengers from financial fallout you never caused in the first place.
1. What Is Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Coverage?
UM reimburses you if an uninsured or hit‑and‑run driver causes a crash. UIM pays the difference when the at‑fault driver’s policy limits run out. Tennessee State Government
2. It’s Built In—Unless You Reject It in Writing
Tennessee law requires every auto policy to include UM coverage in the same limits as your bodily‑injury liability—unless the named insured signs a written rejection or chooses lower limits. Justia
Tip: If you’ve never signed a waiver, you already have UM/UIM protection. Ask your agent to confirm your limits.
3. One in Five Drivers Has No Insurance
The state estimates that about 21 percent of Tennessee’s 5.5 million registered vehicles are operated without insurance. That’s roughly one out of every five vehicles you meet on the road. Tennessee State Government
4. How UM/UIM Coverage Works After a Crash
| Scenario | How UM/UIM Helps |
|---|---|
| Uninsured at‑fault driver | Your UM pays for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and (if purchased) property damage. |
| Hit‑and‑run | Treated the same as an uninsured driver; your UM steps in. |
| Driver with low limits | UIM pays the gap between the at‑fault driver’s limits and your actual losses, up to your UIM limit. |
Property‑damage UM is optional in Tennessee but can be added; it typically carries a $200 deductible. Justia
5. Why You Still Need UM If You Have Health Insurance
- Health policies rarely cover lost wages or pain‑and‑suffering.
- High deductibles and co‑pays can leave you paying thousands out of pocket.
- Vehicle repairs and diminished value are outside standard health coverage.
UM fills these gaps—especially critical after serious injuries.
6. Check Your Limits (And Consider Matching Liability)
Because UM limits default to your liability limits, raising liability also increases UM/UIM. For many drivers, boosting limits from the state‑minimum 25/50/25 to 100/300/100 costs only a few dollars a month but quadruples protection.
7. How to Confirm or Add UM/UIM Coverage
- Pull out your policy declarations page and look for “UM/UIM Bodily Injury” and “UM Property Damage.”
- Compare limits to your liability coverage; matching them is usually best.
- Contact your agent to increase limits or add UM property‑damage coverage.
- Keep written proof of any changes or waiver withdrawals.
8. Related Reading
- How to File a Car Accident Insurance Claim in Tennessee – step‑by‑step checklist after a crash. https://jstillman.com/how-to-file-a-car-accident-insurance-claim-in-tennessee/
- Who pays for damages after an accident in Tennessee? – https://jstillman.com/who-pays-for-damages-after-an-accident-in-tennessee/
If you or someone you know has been hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver, Stillman & Friedland is here to help. Call 615‑244‑2111 or reach out through our online contact form.
Because we care,
Stillman & Friedland
