Last updated: July 2026
Illinois requires it. Not every state does.
Under 215 ILCS 5/143a, every auto insurance policy sold in Illinois must include uninsured motorist coverage. The insurer has to offer it at limits matching your liability coverage, with a floor of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. You can reject it, but only in writing. Most drivers never do, because most drivers never realize the option exists.
What It Actually Covers
Uninsured motorist coverage pays out when the driver who hit you has no insurance at all, or can’t be identified, as in most hit-and-run cases. It steps in where the other driver’s policy should have been.
Underinsured motorist coverage is the related, separate piece: 215 ILCS 5/143a-2. This applies when the at-fault driver does have insurance, but not enough to cover what you actually lost. A driver carrying Illinois’ state minimum $25,000 in liability coverage can total your medical bills in a single ER visit after a serious crash.
One in eight drivers on the road nationally carries no insurance at all, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Illinois built mandatory UM coverage into its insurance code specifically because of that gap.
Why This Matters More Than People Expect
Say a driver runs a red light, totals your car, and leaves you with a fractured wrist. He has no insurance. Without UM coverage, you have a judgment against a person with nothing to collect from. That’s it. Case closed, nothing paid.
With UM coverage, your own insurer stands in his place and pays what he should have.
The same logic applies to hit-and-run accidents, where there’s no defendant to sue at all.
Stacking and Higher Limits
The $25,000/$50,000 floor is a minimum, not a ceiling. Drivers can, and often should, purchase higher UM/UIM limits, especially given how far $25,000 goes after a serious injury. In some cases, coverage from multiple vehicles on a policy or household can be combined, a process called stacking, though the details depend on the specific policy language.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is uninsured motorist coverage mandatory in Illinois?
Yes. Illinois law (215 ILCS 5/143a) requires insurers to include it in every auto policy at limits matching your liability coverage, with a $25,000/$50,000 minimum, unless you reject it in writing.
Does uninsured motorist coverage apply to hit-and-run accidents?
Generally yes. Since the at-fault driver in a hit-and-run can’t be identified or sued directly, uninsured motorist coverage is often the only way to recover compensation.
What’s the difference between uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage?
Uninsured motorist coverage applies when the at-fault driver has no insurance. Underinsured motorist coverage, under 215 ILCS 5/143a-2, applies when the at-fault driver has insurance, but not enough to cover your losses.
Can I reject uninsured motorist coverage in Illinois?
Yes, but only in writing. If you don’t formally reject it, Illinois law requires your insurer to include it automatically.
Injured by an Uninsured or Underinsured Driver?
The Illinois personal injury law firm of Phillips Law Offices has a recognized reputation as having aggressive, skilled, and determined representatives and advocates for injured individuals and their families. If you were hit by a driver with no insurance, or not enough of it, our Chicago car accident lawyers can help you pursue every source of recovery available, including your own policy.
Read More:
Can I Be Found Partially at Fault for My Injuries in a Car Accident?
