Texas injury law

Texas Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage Explained

Texas has a problem: a significant percentage of drivers on the road carry no insurance or only minimum limits. If an uninsured or underinsured driver causes a crash, UM/UIM coverage may provide an additional source of recovery subject to the policy terms and Texas law. Texas insurers generally must offer UM/UIM coverage, and a rejection must satisfy applicable legal requirements. For city-specific resources, see our Texas accident guides.

Estimate my preliminary range Free · About 2 minutes · No contact information required to see your result

Prepared by Texas Settlement Calculator Editorial Team · Published 2026-08-16 · Editorial standards

What UM and UIM cover

Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage pays for your injuries when the at-fault driver has no insurance or is a hit-and-run driver who can't be identified. Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage pays the gap between the at-fault driver's policy limits and your injuries when their insurance isn't enough. Both also cover hit-and-run accidents. UM/UIM applies to you, your passengers, and in many cases family members living in your household — even when you're hit by an uninsured driver.

Texas requires insurers to offer it

Under Texas Insurance Code § 1952.101, insurers must offer UM/UIM coverage with every auto policy. You can reject it — but only in writing. If you don't have a written rejection on file, the law presumes you have it. Many Texans reject UM/UIM to save a few dollars a month, not realizing that it's the coverage most likely to actually pay out when they're hurt. The cost is modest and the protection is significant.

Stacking UM coverage in Texas

Do not assume UM/UIM limits can be stacked or combined across vehicles. The result depends on the policy language, endorsements, vehicles and coverages involved, and applicable Texas law. Review the actual policy or obtain qualified guidance before calculating available limits.

How UM/UIM affects your settlement

When UM/UIM coverage applies, its verified terms, limits, offsets and other policy provisions may affect available recovery. UM/UIM coverage does not itself determine claim value, and applicability depends on the policy and Texas law. Before responding to an offer, consider the documented damages, responsibility issues, policy terms, offsets, limits, and other applicable coverage. Our free case evaluator provides a broad educational preliminary range based on reported claim factors. Our car accident settlement calculator also factors in coverage levels. UM/UIM may also be relevant in Texas rideshare accidents when its policy terms and legal requirements are satisfied.

Estimate your preliminary claim-value range

Get a free, Texas-focused educational range based on the information you report — no sign-up or obligation.

Estimate my preliminary range

See your result first · No contact information required · Attorney connection optional

Related Texas guides

Texas Comparative Negligence Law Explained The Texas Dram Shop Act Explained The Texas Tort Claims Act Explained Texas Personal Injury Resource Center Texas accident guides Texas trucking accident statistics

Frequently asked questions

Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Texas?

Texas law contains requirements concerning the offering and rejection of UM/UIM coverage. Whether coverage exists in a particular policy should be verified from the policy and any valid rejection or other applicable records rather than inferred from a general rule.

Can I stack uninsured motorist coverage in Texas?

Whether UM/UIM limits can be combined or otherwise applied across vehicles depends on the policy language, endorsements, and applicable Texas law. Review the actual policy rather than assuming stacking is available.

This tool produces a preliminary, non-binding estimate based on the information you provide and general personal-injury valuation methods. It is not legal advice, not a guarantee of any outcome, and not a substitute for review by a licensed attorney. Actual settlements and verdicts vary widely based on evidence, jurisdiction, insurance coverage, and many other factors. Texas Settlement Calculator is not a law firm and does not practice law; use of this tool does not create an attorney-client relationship.