How to Use the Uninsured Motorist Payout Calculator
Korea handles hit-and-run and uninsured-driver accidents through a government-run compensation fund with fixed national payout caps. The US doesn't have a direct federal equivalent — instead, the mechanism is fundamentally different: American drivers protect themselves by purchasing Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage as part of their own private auto insurance policy, with a payout limit they choose (or that their state sets as a minimum) rather than a government-set nationwide cap.
This calculator estimates your payout by comparing your UM/UIM per-person coverage limit against your estimated damages. If damages are less than your limit, your insurer typically pays the full amount; if damages exceed your limit, the excess is uncovered unless you pursue the at-fault driver directly (which is often difficult when they're unidentified or judgment-proof).
How much UM/UIM coverage you're required to carry, and whether it's mandatory at all, varies a great deal by state. Some states require insurers to offer it and make you decline it in writing if you don't want it, while others simply mandate a minimum limit (often matching the state's basic liability minimum, commonly in the $25,000-$50,000 per-person range) as part of every policy. Because state rules differ so much, always confirm your actual limit on your own policy declarations page.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is a private insurance add-on you buy as part of your own auto policy, not a government fund — there's no federal compensation program for hit-and-run or uninsured-driver accidents.
It depends on the state. Some require insurers to offer it and require you to decline it in writing if you don't want it, while others mandate a minimum limit outright. Requirements and typical minimums vary significantly by state.