Does Tennessee Allow UM/UIM Stacking? What T.C.A. 56-7-1201 Says

By the FigureMyTax Editorial Team · How we calculate

No. Section 56-7-1201(b) keeps you to one set of UM limits and caps the total from all policies and bonds, including your UM, at those limits.

The rule

Section 56-7-1201(b)(2) says the limits of UM coverage shall not be increased because of multiple motor vehicles, whether under a single policy or multiple policies, and the total recovery from all policies and bonds, including UM, cannot exceed the limits of your UM coverage.

Required coverage

Subsection (a) requires UM in every auto liability policy delivered or issued in Tennessee, with limits equal to your bodily injury liability limits. A named insured may reject it completely or select lower limits in writing, not below the financial responsibility minimum, and the signed document binds every insured. No UM or UIM need be provided by an excess or umbrella policy.

How the limit works

Subsection (d) says the insurer's limit of liability is the UM amount in the policy less the sum of the limits collectible under all liability and primary UM policies, bonds and securities applicable to the injury. Section 56-7-1202 defines an uninsured vehicle as one for which the liability limits available to you are less than your UM limits.

Unknown drivers

Subsection (e) requires physical contact, or clear and convincing evidence of the unknown driver beyond occupants' testimony, a report to law enforcement within a reasonable time, and no negligence on your part in failing to identify the driver.

How to use this

Compare the results in the Tennessee UM/UIM stacking calculator, start with the plain-English stacked versus single-limit explainer, and read how Tennessee UM and UIM work.

This is general information, not legal advice, and the state comparisons above are illustrative, not an exhaustive survey. Confirm how Tennessee's rules apply to your specific case with a licensed Tennessee attorney.