Can You Have Both Collision and Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Yes, you can carry both, and they cover different situations, so most drivers end up with reasons to keep each one.
Yes, you can have both at the same time
Collision coverage and uninsured motorist coverage are separate parts of your policy, and nothing stops you from carrying both. They're not alternatives to each other. Collision pays to repair or replace your car after an accident, no matter who caused it. Uninsured motorist coverage steps in when the other driver is at fault but doesn't have insurance, or doesn't have enough to cover what you lost.
Whether you're required to carry either one depends on your state and on whether you financed or leased your car. Some states require uninsured motorist coverage by default unless you decline it in writing. A lender will almost always require collision if you still owe money on the car. Check your policy declarations page to see what you're carrying now, and ask your agent which parts are required where you live.
What your lender requires changes the collision question
If you're still making payments on your car, the company that holds the loan or lease almost certainly requires collision coverage, along with comprehensive. That requirement doesn't go away just because you also carry uninsured motorist coverage. The two serve different purposes and a lender only cares about protecting the car itself.
Once the loan is paid off, collision becomes optional. At that point the decision comes down to what the car is worth and what you could afford to replace it for out of pocket. An older car worth little may not be worth paying to insure against collision, even though uninsured motorist coverage still matters just as much.
So the honest way to think about it is that collision and loan payoff are linked, and uninsured motorist coverage and loan payoff are not linked at all. You can drop one without touching the other.
What state you're in changes whether uninsured motorist coverage is automatic
Some states make uninsured motorist coverage a required part of every policy. Others make it optional and let you sign a waiver to decline it. A few split it further, with separate rules for the bodily injury piece and the property damage piece, and the property damage piece sometimes excluded if you already carry collision.
That last point catches people off guard. In a handful of states, if you carry collision coverage, the insurer isn't required to also offer uninsured motorist property damage coverage, since collision already pays for damage to your car regardless of fault. The bodily injury piece is usually separate and still available.
Because this varies so much by state, the only reliable way to know what applies to you is to ask your insurer directly which pieces of uninsured motorist coverage are on your policy and which, if any, you waived.
Questions people ask about this
Does uninsured motorist coverage cover my car or just injuries?
It depends on which type you carry. Uninsured motorist bodily injury covers medical costs for you and your passengers. Uninsured motorist property damage covers repairs to your car. Many states offer both, but some limit or exclude the property damage version if you already carry collision.
Do I still need uninsured motorist coverage if I have collision?
Yes, because they cover different costs. Collision pays for your car's damage regardless of who caused the accident, but it doesn't cover medical bills for you or your passengers. Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage fills that gap when the at-fault driver has no insurance to pay for it.
Will my rates go up if I add uninsured motorist coverage?
That depends on your insurer and your state, since both set the cost for this coverage differently. Ask your agent for a quote with and without it so you can see the actual difference for your policy rather than guessing.
What happens if I waive uninsured motorist coverage and then get hit by an uninsured driver?
You would be responsible for your own medical costs and any damage not covered by collision, since there would be no coverage to step in for the other driver's share. This is worth weighing carefully before signing a waiver, since you can't always add the coverage back right after an accident.
Can I drop collision coverage but keep uninsured motorist coverage?
Yes, as long as your car isn't financed or leased, since a lender's requirement applies specifically to collision and comprehensive. Uninsured motorist coverage is a separate decision and keeping it doesn't depend on whether you also carry collision.
See what it would cost to carry both types of coverage before you decide what to keep.
Pull out your current policy's declarations page and find the line items for collision and uninsured motorist coverage, since many drivers already have both without realizing it. If you're not sure what's required in your state, call your agent this week and ask directly, rather than assuming based on what a friend's policy looks like. If you're still paying off your car, confirm with your lender what they require so you don't drop something you're not allowed to drop. Once you know what's required and what's optional, compare quotes with and without the optional pieces so the cost is in front of you instead of a guess.
