Question 1

What's the difference between UM and UIM?

Accepted Answer

UM (uninsured motorist) covers when the at-fault driver has NO insurance — they were driving illegally or were uninsured when they hit you. UIM (underinsured motorist) covers when the at-fault driver HAS insurance but their limits are too low to fully compensate your injuries — they had $25K bodily injury liability and your injuries are worth $200K. Florida policies typically combine UM/UIM under a single umbrella term. Both pay for your damages up to your policy limits when the other driver can't pay.

Question 2

What's stacked vs. non-stacked UM/UIM?

Accepted Answer

Non-stacked UM/UIM applies the policy limit per accident, regardless of how many vehicles you own. Stacked UM/UIM multiplies the limit by the number of vehicles insured. With stacked $100K UM/UIM and 3 vehicles, the effective limit per accident is $300K. Stacking costs about 30% more in premium but produces dramatically more coverage on serious claims. Florida allows both options; insurers must explicitly inform you of the choice and document your selection.

Question 3

Should I carry UM/UIM matching my bodily injury limits?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in most cases. UM/UIM should match your liability limits because that's the level of protection you've decided you need — and the other driver should provide. With $250K BI liability and only $50K UM/UIM, you're admitting you'd want $250K of protection if you caused the accident but you're only buying $50K of protection if someone else hits you. Match the limits unless cost concerns force a tradeoff.

Question 4

Is UM/UIM coverage required in Florida?

Accepted Answer

No — Florida doesn't legally require UM/UIM coverage. Florida law DOES require insurers to offer it and have customers explicitly accept or reject the coverage in writing. Many Florida drivers reject UM/UIM to lower premium without understanding the exposure. Given Florida's high uninsured-driver rate, rejecting UM/UIM is one of the riskiest insurance decisions a Florida driver can make.

Question 5

Does UM cover hit-and-run accidents?

Accepted Answer

Yes — uninsured motorist coverage applies to hit-and-run scenarios where the at-fault driver flees the scene and can't be identified. The legal theory treats an unidentified driver as effectively uninsured. You typically need to file a police report within a defined timeframe (24–72 hours, varying by carrier) to qualify for UM coverage on hit-and-run claims. Document the scene, get witness contact information, and file the police report promptly.

Question 6

How does UM/UIM interact with PIP?

Accepted Answer

Florida PIP pays the first $10K of your medical bills regardless of fault. UM/UIM kicks in for medical bills BEYOND PIP, plus lost wages and pain and suffering. They work in sequence rather than overlapping. PIP handles minor injuries quickly; UM/UIM handles serious injury claims after PIP is exhausted and after the threshold for stepping outside no-fault is crossed (significant and permanent injury under Florida law).

Question 7

How is UM/UIM priced?

Accepted Answer

UM/UIM pricing is driven by selected limit, stacking selection, household composition (more drivers and vehicles = higher exposure), territory, and prior claims. Florida UM/UIM is more expensive than national averages due to the state's high uninsured rate. A Miami household with multiple vehicles and stacked $250K/$500K UM/UIM might pay $400–$800/year for the UM/UIM portion of their auto coverage. The cost is modest relative to the protection — UM/UIM is typically the highest-value coverage line on a Florida auto policy.

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Uninsured Motorist — Frequently Asked Questions

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