Here’s a truth most drivers never think about: even if you do everything right behind the wheel, you can still get hit by someone who has no insurance at all. And in Tennessee, that happens a lot more than you might think.
How Common Are Uninsured Drivers in Tennessee?
According to the Insurance Information Institute, about 21.4% of Tennessee drivers are uninsured — nearly 1 in 4 cars on the road. That means if you’re in an accident, there’s almost a one-in-four chance the other driver has no coverage at all.
When that happens, your uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage steps in to pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and property damage.
- Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage helps if the other driver has no insurance.
- Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage helps if they have too little insurance to cover your losses.
Real-World Example: The $25,000 Problem
In Tennessee, the minimum required liability insurance for drivers is only $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury (TN.gov). But the average hospital bill after a serious crash can easily exceed that. Without UM coverage, that difference comes straight out of your pocket.
Try It: Uninsured Motorist Coverage Calculator
See how much protection UM coverage can add compared to Tennessee’s minimum limits.
*This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal or insurance advice. For advice about your situation, contact Stillman & Friedland directly.*
Do You Already Have UM Coverage?
In Tennessee, uninsured motorist (UM) coverage isn’t optional at first — it’s automatically included in every auto insurance policy by law. This is required under Tennessee Code Annotated § 56-7-1201.
However, you can reject this coverage in writing (or electronically). That means you might have waived it years ago without remembering — usually to lower your premium by a few dollars per month.
| Situation | Covered by UM/UIM? |
|---|---|
| You accepted the default coverage | ✅ Yes — up to your liability limits |
| You rejected UM/UIM in writing | ❌ No — you’re on your own |
| You’re not sure | ⚠️ Check your declarations page or ask your agent |
Most policies include UM coverage by default — unless you signed a rejection form. To confirm, check your policy’s “Declarations Page.” Look for these lines:
- UM Bodily Injury
- UIM Property Damage
If either shows “Rejected” or $0, you do not have uninsured motorist protection. In that case, even if the other driver causes the crash, you could be responsible for your own medical bills and losses.
How Much Coverage Should You Carry?
A good rule of thumb is to match your uninsured/underinsured motorist limits to your liability limits. If you’re protected for $100,000 in damages you cause, you should have the same protection for yourself if someone else causes your injuries.
Quick coverage checklist
- ✅ You have at least as much UM/UIM coverage as your liability coverage
- ✅ You didn’t reject UM coverage years ago (check your declarations page)
- ✅ You’ve reviewed your coverage limits in the last 12 months
When Uninsured Motorist Coverage Applies
- Hit-and-run crashes (when the other driver leaves and can’t be found)
- Collisions with uninsured or underinsured drivers
- Pedestrian or bicycle accidents caused by uninsured drivers
- Passengers in your vehicle injured by an uninsured driver
Coming Soon in Our Insurance Secrets Series
This article is the first in our new series, Insurance Secrets: What Drivers Don’t Know Until It’s Too Late. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be pulling back the curtain on how car insurance really works — and what you can do to protect yourself after a crash.
- Why You Need Uninsured Motorist Coverage (Even If You’re a Safe Driver) (you’re reading it now)
- 🚧 Next: How Insurance Companies Calculate Settlements (and What They Don’t Tell You)
- 🕵️♀️ Coming soon: Why “Full Coverage” Often Isn’t What You Think
- 💡 Coming soon: The Hidden Role of Medical Liens After a Car Accident
- 🤝 Coming soon: How to Protect Yourself from a Lowball Offer
Stay tuned — new posts in this series will publish each week through October.
Were You Hit or Injured by an Uninsured or Underinsured Driver?
Finding out the other driver doesn’t have enough insurance — or any at all — can be stressful and confusing. You might be facing medical bills, car repairs, and lost time from work with no clear way to recover your costs.
That’s where we can help. Our team can walk you through your options, explain how your uninsured motorist coverage works, and help you recover the compensation you deserve — whether it’s through your policy or the other driver’s.
Call 615-244-2111 or reach out through our online contact form. We’ll listen, answer your questions, and help you take the next step forward.
Because we care,
Stillman & Friedland
