Which States Require Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

Key takeaways

Uninsured motorist coverage pays for your injuries when the at-fault driver has no insurance or cannot be identified.
Some states require it, some include it unless you decline in writing, and some only require insurers to offer it.
"Not listed as required" in our sources does not mean the coverage is unavailable.
Check your own state's page and your policy for the exact limits.

The short answer

Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage pays for your injuries when the driver who hits you has no insurance or cannot be identified. Whether you must carry it depends on your state.

The groups below are built from the official sources in our state summaries. Each name links to that state's full car insurance page, with its sources.

What uninsured motorist coverage does

It can pay for your injuries and, in some states, your property damage, when the driver at fault has no insurance or leaves the scene. Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage applies when the at-fault driver has insurance, but not enough to cover your losses.

Limits and rules differ by state, so use your state's page and your policy as the final word.

State by state

Required by law
Included unless you reject it in writing
Insurers must offer it
Optional
Not listed as required in our sources

Required by law (23)

The state's official source says the coverage is required, at the limits shown.

Connecticut car insurance requirements: Uninsured/underinsured motorist: at least $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident. Required by law
District of Columbia car insurance requirements: Uninsured motorist bodily injury: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident. Uninsured motorist property damage: $5,000, subject to a $200 deductible
Illinois car insurance requirements: Uninsured motorist bodily injury: $25,000 / $50,000 required
Kansas car insurance requirements: Uninsured/underinsured motorist: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
Maine car insurance requirements: Uninsured/underinsured motorist: at least $50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident
Maryland car insurance requirements: Uninsured motorist limits of 30/60/15, according to Maryland Auto Insurance
Massachusetts car insurance requirements: Bodily injury caused by an uninsured auto: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Minnesota car insurance requirements: Uninsured motorist $25,000 / $50,000 and underinsured motorist $25,000 / $50,000. Both required
Missouri car insurance requirements: Uninsured motorist bodily injury: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident required
Nebraska car insurance requirements: Required. The Department of Insurance page lists uninsured/underinsured motorist limits of $25,000 per person and $25,000 per accident, while other sources list $25,000 / $50,000. Confirm the limits with the Department
New Hampshire car insurance requirements: If you buy a policy, uninsured motorist coverage is required at limits equal to your liability coverage (RSA 264:15)
New Jersey car insurance requirements: Standard Policy: a minimum amount of uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is required. Basic Policy: none
New York car insurance requirements: Required, same minimums: $25,000 / $50,000
North Carolina car insurance requirements: Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage required on all policies
North Dakota car insurance requirements: Uninsured motorist: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident. Underinsured motorist must equal uninsured motorist
Oregon car insurance requirements: Uninsured motorist: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per crash for bodily injury. Required
Rhode Island car insurance requirements: Insurers must offer uninsured/underinsured bodily injury limits equal to your bodily injury limits. You may buy less, but not below the statutory minimum and not zero (230-RICR-20-05-1)
South Carolina car insurance requirements: Required. The Department lists limits of $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage
South Dakota car insurance requirements: Required on all policies, with limits equal to your bodily injury liability limits (SDCL 58-11-9). Underinsured coverage must equal your bodily injury limits (SDCL 58-11-9.4)
Vermont car insurance requirements: Required in every liability policy (23 V.S.A. 941), with limits of not less than $50,000 for one person and $100,000 for two or more persons in the statute text we read
Virginia car insurance requirements: Required in every liability policy, at limits not less than the liability minimums. Limits equal your liability limits unless a named insured rejects the additional coverage
West Virginia car insurance requirements: Uninsured motorist coverage is mandatory at the same 25/50/25 limits
Wisconsin car insurance requirements: Uninsured motorist: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident, for bodily injury only. Required

Included unless you reject it in writing (6)

It comes with the policy unless you decline it in writing.

Colorado car insurance requirements: Optional. Included in your policy unless you reject it in writing
Idaho car insurance requirements: Included in every liability policy unless the named insured rejects it in writing (Idaho Code 41-2502)
Indiana car insurance requirements: Included on newly written policies unless you reject it in writing: $25,000 / $50,000, with underinsured motorist at $50,000
Iowa car insurance requirements: Included in every liability policy at limits at least equal to the liability minimums, unless the named insured rejects it in writing
Montana car insurance requirements: Included in every liability policy, at the limits in section 61-6-103, unless the named insured rejects it (Montana Code 33-23-201)
New Mexico car insurance requirements: Included in every policy for vehicles registered or principally garaged in New Mexico, including underinsured coverage, unless the named insured rejects it in writing (NMSA 66-5-301)

Insurers must offer it (4)

Buying it is your choice, but the insurer has to offer it.

Arkansas car insurance requirements: Not required. Insurers must offer uninsured motorist coverage up to the liability limits you choose
Nevada car insurance requirements: Optional. Insurers must offer it at no less than the minimum liability limits (25/50 for bodily injury)
Oklahoma car insurance requirements: Not mandatory. Insurers must offer uninsured motorist coverage when you buy auto insurance
Texas car insurance requirements: Insurers must offer uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage

Optional (3)

The state's official source describes it as optional.

Arizona car insurance requirements: Optional. If you elect it, 25/50 is the minimum amount
Louisiana car insurance requirements: Not required by law. Optional coverage
Mississippi car insurance requirements: Not required. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is optional

Not listed as required in our sources (15)

Our official source for the state does not list it as required. That does not mean it is unavailable, and our summaries do not claim to cover every offer rule, so check the state page and your policy.

Alabama car insurance requirements: Not listed as required
Alaska car insurance requirements: Not listed as required
California car insurance requirements: Not listed as required
Delaware car insurance requirements: Not listed on the DMV page
Florida car insurance requirements: Not listed as required
Georgia car insurance requirements: Not listed as a required minimum
Hawaii car insurance requirements: Not covered in the Insurance Division FAQ we read
Kentucky car insurance requirements: Not listed as required
Michigan car insurance requirements: Not listed among Michigan's three mandatory coverages
Ohio car insurance requirements: Not listed as required
Pennsylvania car insurance requirements: Not listed as required
Tennessee car insurance requirements: Not listed as required
Utah car insurance requirements: Not covered in the statutes we reviewed. See Utah Code sections 31A-22-305 and 31A-22-305.3
Washington car insurance requirements: Not listed as required
Wyoming car insurance requirements: Not listed as required

Should you buy more than the minimum?

Where it is required, the required amount can be low. If an uninsured driver causes a serious accident, your own uninsured motorist limits may be what pays for your injuries. Compare your limits with your health coverage and your savings, and ask your insurer or agent how the coverage works in your state.

General information only. It is not insurance, legal or financial advice. Rules differ by state and change over time, so confirm details with your state insurance department, your insurer and your policy.

Common mistakes

Assuming "not listed as required" means the coverage is not available.
Assuming your health insurance replaces it. They are different coverages with different rules and limits.
Buying only the minimum without comparing it with how much your own injuries could cost.
Using another state's rules. Check the page for your own state.

Keep exploring

Compare the other minimum requirements in every state in our guide to minimum car insurance by state.
Find out how liability coverage differs from uninsured motorist coverage in our liability guide.

Questions

What is the difference between uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage?

Uninsured motorist coverage applies when the at-fault driver has no insurance or cannot be identified. Underinsured motorist coverage applies when the at-fault driver has insurance, but not enough to cover your losses.

Can I decline uninsured motorist coverage?

It depends on the state. In some it is required, in some it is included unless you reject it in writing, and in others you choose whether to buy it. Find your state in the list above.

Does my health insurance replace uninsured motorist coverage?

They are different coverages with different rules and limits, and some states also have no-fault injury coverage. Ask your insurer or agent how they work together in your state.

Sources

Texas Department of Insurance: Auto insurance guidetdi.texas.gov
Colorado Division of Insurance: Auto Insurancedoi.colorado.gov
Wisconsin OCI: Frequently asked questions about automobile insurance (updated August 2026)oci.wi.gov
Connecticut Insurance Department: Auto insurance (consumer information center)portal.ct.gov
Iowa Code section 516A.1: Coverage included in every liability policylegis.iowa.gov
South Dakota Codified Laws chapter 58-11: Uninsured and underinsured motorist coveragesdlegislature.gov

Informational only. Rules and policy terms change and differ by state and insurer. Confirm details with your policy, your insurer or your state insurance department.