What Is Uninsured Motorist Property Damage
It pays to fix your car when the other driver has no insurance and you weren't the one at fault.
It covers repairs to your car after an uninsured driver hits it
Uninsured motorist property damage covers the cost of repairing your car when another driver is at fault, has no liability insurance, and can't pay for the damage themselves. It stands in for the other driver's insurance, since there isn't any.
It only applies when the other driver is uninsured and at fault. If you caused the accident, or if the other driver has insurance, this coverage doesn't come into play. In some states it also covers damage from a hit-and-run driver who was never identified.
Whether your state offers it or requires it
Not every state sells this coverage the same way. Some require insurers to offer it. Some bundle it into other coverage you already have. Some don't offer it at all, and in those states you'd rely on your own collision coverage instead to repair your car.
This is worth checking directly with your insurer or agent, since it changes what you're actually paying for. Ask whether your policy includes it, whether it was added automatically, or whether you have to request it separately.
If your state doesn't offer it, collision coverage usually fills the same gap, though you'll likely pay a deductible that this coverage might not require.
What people get wrong about it
Many drivers assume this coverage pays for their own injuries or the other driver's car. It doesn't. It only pays for damage to your vehicle and sometimes your property, like a fence or a mailbox the other driver hit along with your car.
Drivers also mix this up with uninsured motorist bodily injury, which is a separate coverage for medical costs. You can have one without the other, and they pay out differently.
Another common mistake is assuming it covers everything with no deductible. Some policies apply a deductible to this coverage too. Check your declarations page or ask your insurer directly to see what applies to your policy.
Questions people ask about this
Does uninsured motorist property damage cover my medical bills?
No, it only covers damage to your car or other property, not injuries. Medical costs after an accident with an uninsured driver are handled by uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage or your health insurance, depending on your state and policy.
Do I need uninsured motorist property damage if I have collision coverage?
It depends on your state and your deductible. Collision coverage can pay for the same repairs, but it usually comes with its own deductible, while uninsured motorist property damage sometimes has a lower one or none at all. Ask your insurer how the two would apply to the same claim.
Will my rate go up if I use this coverage?
This depends on your insurer, since you weren't at fault for the accident. Some insurers don't raise rates for claims where the other driver caused the damage, but policies vary, so it's worth asking your insurer directly how they handle it.
What happens if the uninsured driver is never found?
In many states, a hit-and-run where the driver is never identified is treated the same as an accident with a known uninsured driver, and this coverage would still apply. Confirm this with your insurer, since hit-and-run rules can differ by state.
Can I add this coverage after an accident already happened?
No, coverage has to be in place before the accident occurs. If you don't currently have it and want it for the future, you can ask your insurer to add it to your policy going forward.
See what other drivers in your state pay for this coverage before you decide what to add.
Pull out your current policy or declarations page and look for uninsured motorist property damage listed as a separate line. If you don't see it, call your insurer or agent and ask directly whether it's available in your state and what it would add to your premium. Ask what deductible would apply if you ever used it, and how that compares to your collision deductible. If you're shopping for a new policy, ask each insurer the same questions so you're comparing the same coverage across quotes.
