D.C. Uninsured Motorist Coverage, 25/50/5 Minimums & Optional Higher Limits

Current UM minimums: understand 25/50/5

For an ordinary D.C. motor vehicle policy within the scope of the statute, the current uninsured-motorist minimums are $25,000 for bodily injury or death to one person, $50,000 for all persons injured in one accident, and $5,000 for property damage in one accident. These are separate coverage limits, not three amounts every claimant can collect. Property-damage payments under this provision are subject to a $200 deductible. Source: D.C. Code § 31-2406(f)(2)-(3).

The statutory obligation applies to insurers selling motor vehicle insurance in the District for vehicles registered or principally garaged there. Taxicab and self-insurance arrangements require separate analysis under subsection (a)(1)(D). Confirm the policy, vehicle and insured-person facts before applying the ordinary-policy description. Source: § 31-2406(a)(1)(D), (f)(2).

An uninsured vehicle is not limited to a driver with no insurance card

The statute includes three categories: a vehicle without liability insurance applicable to the accident; a vehicle with a liability policy whose insurer denies coverage or becomes subject to insolvency proceedings; and a vehicle causing injury or property damage whose owner or operator cannot be identified. Source: § 31-2406(f)(1)(A)-(C).

A hit-and-run can therefore present a UM issue. An insurance denial can also matter even when a policy was purchased. Preserve the denial, accident report, witness details, photographs and any identifying evidence. This is a practical evidence checklist, not a statement that these facts alone establish entitlement or satisfy every policy condition.

UM protects insured persons with a legally recoverable loss

The required coverage protects persons insured under the policy who are legally entitled to recover damages from an uninsured owner or operator. The statute does not establish that every occupant, pedestrian, cyclist or household member is insured under every policy. Read the actual insured-person definition, endorsements and applicable law. Source: § 31-2406(f)(2).

Keep three questions separate: Are you insured under this agreement? Does the other vehicle meet the applicable uninsured-vehicle definition? What damages can you legally recover? A UM limit is not an admission of fault, a valuation of the injury, or a guarantee of payment.

Higher limits and multiple policies need separate review

The named insured may require higher UM amounts under a statutory schedule up to $100,000 per person, $300,000 per accident for bodily injury or death, and $25,000 for property damage. This provision describes the statutory higher-limit option; it should not be presented as a universal ceiling on every coverage an insurer may sell. Obtain the declarations and endorsements to determine what was actually purchased. Source: § 31-2406(f)(4).

The statute permits policy terms that preclude stacking UM coverages. Stacking means adding coverage limits from more than one policy or coverage unit. Permission to include such a term does not prove that the term exists, applies to your facts, or is enforceable as written. Identify each potentially applicable policy and examine its wording. Source: § 31-2406(f)(7).

Preserve notices, evidence and recovery rights

Report the potential UM claim promptly through the insurer’s stated claim channel. Preserve proof of notice and ask for the policy provisions governing notice, proof of loss, settlement consent and dispute procedures. Keep medical records, bills, wage-loss records, repair estimates and the evidence of fault. These are practical steps, not a substitute for identifying the actual deadline governing your claim.

Review releases and subrogation before settlement

To the extent of its payment, and subject to coverage terms, the UM insurer has statutory rights to certain settlement or judgment proceeds recovered from legally responsible persons. Subsection (f)(6) separately bars the specified recovery against the insured of an insurer that enters insolvency proceedings. Source: § 31-2406(f)(5)-(6).

Before releasing a driver or another responsible party, check how the release affects the UM insurer’s rights and any remaining claim. Do not assume a settlement preserves every separate insurance right.

Enacted change: 50/100/20 from October 1, 2027

D.C. Law 26-155 is enacted, but the relevant changes apply as of October 1, 2027. Section 2(a)(5)(A) changes the UM figures to $50,000 per injured person, $100,000 for all persons injured in one accident, and $20,000 for property damage. The act became effective August 14, 2026; section 3 supplies the different applicability date. Do not replace the current limits with the future figures merely because the act is already effective. Sources: Law 26-155 § 2(a)(5)(A), § 3, and Law Information.

Record the accident date and policy issuance and renewal dates. This guide does not decide every transition question. The same act creates a separate enhanced-underinsured-motorist framework; see D.C. current and future UIM coverage. UM and UIM are related but distinct protections.

Use the sources for the question actually presented

This guide explains the cited statutory provisions reviewed on October 22, 2026. The retained official-source capture identifies a code publication current through October 14, 2026. Coverage disputes, later judicial interpretation, historical versions and individual policy conditions require further review. For the minimum liability requirements, use the D.C. required-insurance guide.