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Car Insurance Learning Center  Learning Center  Auto Insurance Questions & Answers   Questions & Answers  Professional Answers   Auto Insurance Answers

What does stacked and non stacked mean?

Stacking normally refers to an option you can select for Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury (UM) and/or Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury (UNDUM) coverages.

Stacking Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist policies is an option that allows you to increase the limits you select for your UI/UIM bodily injury coverage. Limits increase based on the number of cars you are insuring. Keep in mind this increased level of protection typically will raise your insurance premium.

An example of stacking is John has limits of $100,000/$300,000 for his uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage and is insuring 2 vehicles. If he leaves them "unstacked," or non-stacked as you called it, John's limits would stay at $100,000/$300,000. If John instead chooses to "stack" his UMBI coverages then his limits would double to $200,000/$600,000.

So by selecting stacking for your uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage, you increase your limits for each of these coverages by the number of cars you're insuring. Generally there is not a limit on the number of vehicles that can be insured and thus stacked this way.

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To the best of our knowledge there are currently nineteen (19) states whose statutes, rules, and/or case law either do not address the issue or specifically allow it. However, in many states that allow stacking, auto insurers are permitted to include policy language that prevents policyholders from stacking UM/UIM coverage. So while your state might permit stacking, if your policy explicitly forbids it, you will not be able to stack your benefits.

The 19 states are: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and West Virginia.

Since laws in each state vary widely for UM/UIM BI stacking in accordance with each situation and sometimes depending upon case law, (and state insurance laws are continually being changed and update), it is best to check with your state's insurance regulator as well as your insurance agent to find out if you can stack your UM/UIM benefits.

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Since "stacking" is the application of more than one policy limit to the same loss or occurrence, if you only have one vehicle on your policy than there would not be coverage to stack. With a single car policy there is not multi-coverage to stack thus no benefit since this option would not be available to you.

Click here to get free auto insurance quotes and see if your state allows for stacking on your UM/UIM coverages. At CarInsurance.com the coverage page of our quote form will give you the option of choosing stacked coverage if it is available.

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Related Questions
Car Insurance Related What is the benefit of "stacking" uninsured/underinsured coverage on a one vehicle policy in Pennsylvania?
Car Insurance Related What is "stacking" as related to car insurance in Florida? My zip code is 33496.
Car Insurance Related Please explain stacked UM and stacked UIM coverage. Also advise as to what states allow stacked exposures on auto policies.
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Visitor Comments
This explanation was helpful. With 4 cars in my household, I am reducing the UM coverage but selecting the stacked option.
Comment added: 12:30 PM Sep-07
I would have like to have an advise related to this issue
Comment added: 09:59 AM Jan-21
last paragraph was precise
Comment added: 10:16 PM Dec-26
Excellent explanation. Just a short note, I have had Progressive Insurance for three years and they have charged me for stacked benefits the whole time, even though I only own one vehicle. Years ago, I had stacked with another company when I did own two vehicles, and just continued to ask for it, not knowing what it really meant. You would think the insurance company whould advise me when it is not necessary. The only way I found out was by going insurance shopping and found several quotes on line would not offer me stacked coverage, and rightly so. Very annoyed that Progressive never informed me that I did not need it. Thank you for your excellent explanation.
Comment added: 11:33 AM Nov-14
The answer was clear and the examples were spot on.
Comment added: 08:10 AM Oct-04
It got right to the point and answered my question without having to find it hidden somewhere in the middle of a bunch of mumbo jumbo.
Comment added: 09:57 AM Jun-02
BECAUSE I DIDNT KNOW THANKS
Comment added: 08:59 PM Jan-22
You thoroughly answered the question and cleared up the confusion
Comment added: 03:10 PM Oct-21
Very clear, gave me more information than i needed. thanks-
Comment added: 12:55 PM Aug-11
Because I still not understand to which car apply the uninsured policy. It is to my car or to the other car that hit my car that do not have any coverage?
Comment added: 04:41 PM Apr-25
(AIG) Now 21st Century insurance was pretty vague in details and explanations of this option when mailed its waiver for us to sign or reject
Comment added: 01:21 PM Apr-17
YOU TALK ABOUT STACKING: BUT DO NOT GIVE A DEFENITIVE ANSWER.
Comment added: 09:31 PM Apr-16
All my answers were stated clearly.
Comment added: 02:07 PM Aug-17
made more sense and very helpful
Comment added: 05:10 PM Aug-10
This sure explained it better than Progressive did.
Comment added: 05:10 PM Jul-14
Question Details
This car insurance answer was last updated 10:44 PM Apr-16.
This Your Policy question was asked 04:30 PM May-7-2008.
Cheryl R. requested this car insurance help from CarInsurance.com experts.
Rated 8.24 out of 10 based on 25 votes.
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