What Does Uninsured Motorist Insurance Cover in Maryland?

 Posted on May 07, 2026 in Personal Injury

Not all drivers have insurance, and this can be a serious problem if they ever cause a car accident. Fortunately, insurance plans in Maryland actually have coverage for this situation. If you're left with medical bills, a damaged vehicle, and no obvious way to get compensation, your own insurance policy may be your best option.

If you're dealing with a situation where the person who caused your accident can’t or won’t pay you, a Greenbelt personal injury attorney can advise you on what to do next.

How Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Work in Maryland?

Uninsured motorist coverage, often called UM coverage, is a type of auto insurance that kicks in when the driver who caused your accident either has no insurance or flees the scene and can't be identified. Instead of pursuing compensation from a driver who can’t pay, you file a claim with your own insurance company.

Maryland Code, Insurance Article § 19-509 requires that almost all auto insurance policies issued in the state must include uninsured motorist coverage. This means that if you have a valid auto insurance policy in Maryland, you have at least some UM coverage, whether you knew about it or not. The coverage limit on your UM policy typically tracks with your liability coverage limits. You can also purchase additional coverage if you choose.

What About Hit-and-Run Accidents?

Hit-and-run accidents are typical cases for UM coverage. If a driver hits you and leaves the scene without stopping, you may have no way of identifying them or their insurer. Maryland's uninsured motorist coverage is designed to apply in exactly these situations, treating an unidentified driver the same as an uninsured one.

What Types of Damages Can Uninsured Motorist Coverage Pay For in Maryland?

UM coverage in Maryland can cover a range of losses, depending on your policy and the circumstances of the accident. Generally, it can help compensate you for:

• Medical expenses, including emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, and follow-up treatment

• Lost wages if your injuries kept you out of work

• Future lost earning capacity if your injuries are long-term or permanent

• Pain and suffering

• Property damage to your vehicle (in some cases)

Maryland also recognizes underinsured motorist coverage, or UIM coverage. This applies when the at-fault driver has insurance but not enough to cover the full extent of your damages. This is a separate but related protection.

Why Do Insurance Companies Sometimes Make Uninsured Motorist Claims Difficult?

One thing about UM coverage that may surprise people is that they’re not necessarily straightforward. Even when you're filing a claim with your own insurance company, they're not strictly on your side. Insurance companies have a financial interest in paying out as little as possible on every claim. Adjusters are trained to look for reasons to minimize or deny your payout.

Common tactics include arguing about how serious your injuries are, questioning whether medical treatment was necessary, and pressuring you to settle quickly before you fully understand the extent of your damages. They may also argue that a pre-existing condition is responsible for some of your pain.

This is where having an attorney who has worked inside large insurance companies is an advantage. Understanding how insurers evaluate claims and where they apply pressure makes it much harder for them to take advantage of you.

Call a Hyattsville, MD Car Accident Attorney Today

If you’re struggling to get a fair payout from your own insurance company after an accident, get the help of a professional. Our Greenbelt personal injury attorney has more than 10 years of legal experience. He’s also worked for large insurance companies and knows exactly the games they play and how to counter them. He'll tell you the truth about your case, good or bad.

Call Kisner Law at 240-459-0097 for a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer who will give you the white-glove experience you deserve. We are available 24/7 and will travel overnight if needed or handle your case completely remotely if needed. We also work on a contingency basis, so you only pay if we win your case.