Hit by an Uninsured Driver in Maryland? How Your UM Coverage Protects You

Getting hit by a driver with no insurance, or a hit-and-run driver you can't even identify, can feel like a dead end. It isn't. In Maryland, your own auto insurance is required to include Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage, and that coverage is what steps in when the at-fault driver's insurance can't.

How Uninsured Motorist Coverage Works

When another driver causes your accident but doesn't have insurance to pay for it, your own insurer pays instead, essentially standing in for the at-fault driver's insurance company. This applies in a few common situations:

• The at-fault driver has no insurance at all.
• The at-fault driver can't be identified, for example in a hit-and-run.
• The at-fault driver's insurer denies the claim because that driver violated their own policy's terms.

Maryland's Coverage Minimums

Maryland requires every auto policy to include UM coverage at least equal to the state's minimum liability limits: $30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage (subject to a $250 deductible on the property damage side). Your own policy may carry higher limits if you purchased more coverage.

What About an Underinsured Driver?

If the at-fault driver *has* insurance but not enough to cover your damages, that's a different, though related, coverage: Underinsured Motorist (UIM). In Maryland, UM/UIM coverage traditionally doesn't "stack" on top of the at-fault driver's policy. It typically only covers the gap between what they had and what you're owed, unless you specifically purchased Enhanced Underinsured Motorist coverage.

Why This Can Feel Complicated

Filing a claim against your own insurance company can feel counterintuitive. They're the ones paying, so in practice they can end up on the other side of the negotiating table, even though they're "your" insurer. Having someone review your policy and the claim on your behalf can make a real difference in what you actually recover.

What to Do If You're Hit by an Uninsured Driver

• Report the accident to police and get a copy of the report.
• Notify your own insurer promptly: most policies require timely notice of a UM claim.
• Document everything: photos, witness information, medical treatment.
• Don't assume the claim is simple just because it's "your own" insurance company handling it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay extra for uninsured motorist coverage?
It's built into every Maryland auto policy at the state minimum unless you specifically reject it in writing. Most drivers already have it without realizing it.

What if the other driver fled the scene and I never got their information?
A hit-and-run where the driver can't be identified generally still qualifies for a UM claim. You'll just need police documentation and other evidence the accident happened as described.

Can I still make a UM claim if I was partly at fault?
Maryland's contributory negligence rule can affect this significantly. Even minor fault on your part can be a serious problem for any claim, including a UM claim.
Hit by a driver with no insurance, or not sure if your policy actually covers what happened? Call Portner & Shure for a free consultation. We'll help you understand what your policy actually pays.

Related Resources

• Personal Injury at Portner & Shure
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Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney at Portner & Shure

Every case turns on its own facts, and a short conversation is the fastest way to find out where you stand. Call Portner & Shure at (410) 995-1515 for a free consultation, or contact us online. We have offices across Maryland and Virginia and have recovered over $500 million for our clients.