Uninsured motorist coverage in Michigan protects you if you are injured in a car accident caused by a driver who has no insurance or cannot be identified, such as in a hit-and-run crash
It allows you to recover damages such as pain and suffering and other losses that would otherwise be paid by the at-fault driver’s insurance
Without this coverage, there may be no insurance available to compensate you for your injuries.
Uninsured motorist coverage protects you when there is no liability insurance available after a car accident. In Michigan, that risk is more common than many drivers expect.
If you are injured by an uninsured driver, there may be no insurance company to pursue for compensation. In that situation, uninsured motorist coverage is often the only way to recover damages for pain and suffering and other losses.
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ToggleUninsured motorist coverage protects drivers and families who are injured in car accidents caused by uninsured drivers. In Michigan, this coverage is more important than ever.
A significant number of drivers on Michigan roads do not carry auto insurance. In some areas, the percentage is especially high. If you are injured by one of these drivers, there may be no liability insurance available to compensate you for your injuries.
The reality is simple. When an uninsured driver causes a serious accident, uninsured motorist coverage may be the only way to recover damages for pain and suffering and other losses.
That risk is not limited to any one area. With so many uninsured drivers on the road, a crash involving an uninsured driver can happen anywhere.
Uninsured motorist coverage is not just optional in any practical sense. It is one of the most important protections you can carry on your auto insurance policy.
Matthew Clark explains the key legal issues in under a minute
Uninsured motorist coverage (UM) in Michigan provides a source of recovery for people who are injured in a car accident caused by an uninsured driver. It allows you to recover damages such as pain and suffering and excess economic losses that would otherwise be paid by the at-fault driver’s liability insurance.
In Michigan, an uninsured driver is one who does not carry the liability insurance required by law.
When that driver causes a crash, uninsured motorist coverage allows you to recover those damages through your own insurance policy. If the at-fault driver has insurance but not enough to fully compensate you, underinsured motorist coverage may apply instead.
If you are injured in a car accident caused by an uninsured driver, you may file a claim under your own uninsured motorist coverage.
Your insurance company is then responsible for paying the damages that would have been recoverable from the at-fault driver if that driver had carried liability insurance.
In practical terms, your insurer steps into the role of the uninsured driver’s insurance company. You must still establish that the other driver was legally at fault and prove the full extent of your damages.
In some cases, resolving a UM claim may require filing a lawsuit, and the uninsured driver may still be named as a party depending on the terms of the policy.
Uninsured motorist coverage pays damages that would have been recoverable from the at-fault driver’s liability insurance if that driver had been properly insured.
This typically includes:
Uninsured motorist coverage becomes easier to understand when you see how it applies in real-world situations. The key issue in each case is whether there is any liability insurance available after a crash.
📊 Uninsured Motorist Claim Examples
| Scenario | Available Insurance | Total Damages | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver has no insurance | $0 | $150,000 | UM coverage pays damages |
| Hit-and-run accident | Unknown / none | $100,000 | UM coverage applies through your policy |
| Uninsured driver causes serious injury | $0 | $500,000 | UM coverage pays up to policy limits |
| Multiple injuries with uninsured driver | $0 | $750,000 | UM coverage applies based on policy limits |
Uninsured motorist coverage is contractual and governed by the terms of your insurance policy. These requirements must be satisfied in order to recover UM benefits.
Uninsured motorist coverage is not required under Michigan law. It is optional coverage that must be added to your auto insurance policy.
In practice, most drivers should carry it.
Because of the number of uninsured drivers on Michigan roads, there may be no liability insurance available if you are injured in a crash. In that situation, uninsured motorist coverage may be the only way to recover damages for pain and suffering and excess economic losses.
The recommended uninsured motorist coverage in Michigan is at least $500,000 per person and $1,000,000 per accident.
Lower limits may not be enough to fully protect you in a serious injury case.
Fortunately, this coverage is relatively inexpensive compared to the level of protection it provides.
Uninsured motorist coverage is not required under Michigan law, but in practice it is one of the most important protections you can carry. Without it, there may be no insurance available to compensate you after a crash caused by an uninsured driver.
In most cases, yes. UM coverage protects you when there is no liability insurance available and is typically inexpensive compared to the level of protection it provides.
Yes. Health insurance may cover medical treatment, but it does not provide compensation for pain and suffering or other damages. UM coverage allows you to recover those losses, as well as certain expenses that may not be fully covered.
Yes. Collision and comprehensive coverage apply to vehicle damage. Uninsured motorist coverage applies to personal injury damages, including pain and suffering and excess losses after an accident caused by an uninsured driver.
No. Uninsured motorist coverage is optional and must be added to your policy. However, many drivers choose to carry it due to the number of uninsured drivers on Michigan roads.
Uninsured motorist coverage applies when the at-fault driver has no insurance. Underinsured motorist coverage applies when the driver has insurance, but not enough to fully compensate you for your injuries. To better understand how these coverages compare, see our guide on uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
If you’ve been injured in an accident and the other driver does not have insurance, your ability to recover compensation may depend on your own policy. Understanding how uninsured motorist coverage applies is critical, especially when there is no liability insurance available to pursue.
At The Clark Law Office, we take the time to review your situation, explain your coverage, and help you understand what your claim may be worth. You will not be passed off to a team or treated like a number. You will work directly with a proven accident attorney who handles your case personally from start to finish.
Call today for a free consultation and get clear answers about your rights, your coverage, and your options moving forward.