Stacked vs. Single-Limit UM/UIM Coverage in Utah

By the FigureMyTax Editorial Team · How we calculate

Stacking adds the underinsured limits of several vehicles together. Utah says the limits for two or more vehicles may not be added together to find the coverage available for one accident, with listed exceptions where one other policy can also apply.

What stacking means

A household may have more than one vehicle with UIM. Stacking adds those limits after one injury, so $100,000 and $50,000 become $150,000. Single-limit coverage pays only the one limit that applies.

What Utah law says

Utah Code 31A-22-305.3(4)(a) says a covered person injured in a motor vehicle described in a policy that includes UIM benefits generally may not elect to collect from another motor vehicle policy, and the limits for two or more vehicles may not be added together, combined or stacked for one accident.

The exceptions

A covered person injured as a pedestrian may recover under any one other policy in which they are a covered person. A covered person injured in a vehicle not owned, leased or furnished to the household may recover under any one other policy. A dependent minor of parents in separate households may recover from up to two additional policies, one from each parent's household. Coverage on the occupied vehicle is primary, the elected coverage is secondary, they may not be set off against each other, and total recovery cannot exceed full damages.

A worked example

Suppose you have $100,000 of UIM on the car you were in and $50,000 on another policy, the at-fault driver's insurer paid $25,000, and your damages are $250,000. In your own described car, one limit applies, so UIM pays up to $100,000, because UIM is added to the other driver's coverage rather than set off. As a pedestrian, one other policy could also apply, up to $150,000 total. Try your own numbers in the Utah UM/UIM stacking calculator.

What to check

Look at the declarations page for the UIM limit on the vehicle you were in. See what section 31A-22-305.3 says and how Utah UM and UIM work.

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