Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) Insurance: How it Works

You probably don’t set out to drive anywhere with a plan to get in a car accident. Finding yourself in a car accident that was not your fault is incredibly stressful. It can be even more stressful if you ask the other driver for their insurance information only to find out they don’t have any.

This is where Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) insurance comes into play. Read on to learn what UMPD is, what it covers, and whether or not you should consider adding it to your auto insurance policy.

What Is Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Coverage?

UMPD insurance covers damage to your car caused by a driver who is uninsured. In some states it also covers damage to personal property in your vehicle. This coverage is required in some states, and optional in others.

The process for filing a claim under UMPD is fairly simple. After an accident, you can file a claim with your own insurance company for compensation. Since this coverage is intended to step in when the at-fault driver lacks insurance, you will deal only with your own insurance provider.

Uninsured Motorist Property Damage vs. Underinsured Motorist Property Damage

UMPD insurance sometimes is combined with underinsured motorist coverage. This type of insurance steps in when the other driver does have insurance, but their coverage is insufficient to cover the damage caused by the accident.

Uninsured Motorist Property Damage vs. Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury (UMBI)

Uninsured motorist insurance may include either property damage (UMPD) or bodily injury (UMBI) coverage. You may have the option to select both of these coverages. UMBI covers medical bills for you and your passengers after an accident caused by an uninsured driver. As with UMPD, coverage is up to your policy limits.

Uninsured Motorist Property Damage vs. Comprehensive Insurance

If you carry comprehensive insurance, this does not cover damage to your vehicle after an accident with an uninsured driver. Comprehensive coverage is for scenarios outside of your control that do not involve collisions. For example, this coverage steps in when your vehicle is stolen or vandalized.

Uninsured Motorist Property Damage vs. Collision Insurance

While UMPD is required in some states, collision insurance is always optional. However, collision insurance will cover more scenarios than UMPD. For example, collision insurance would apply if you were at fault for the accident. UMPD only covers you for accidents where the uninsured driver was at fault.

Uninsured Motorist Property Damage vs. Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Coverage from UMPD insurance requires that the fault for a crash lies with the uninsured driver. If you were at fault for the accident, uninsured motorist coverage likely won’t cover your damages. By comparison, PIP insurance provides coverage without regard to who was at fault.

Some so-called “no-fault” states require drivers to carry PIP insurance. However, PIP insurance typically only covers damages related to injuries, so UMPD could still be helpful to cover damages to your vehicle.

What Does Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Cover?

You can expect UMPD to cover damage to your vehicle or other property. Coverage typically includes:

• Car repairs or replacement. Covers damage to your vehicle or replacement value if your car is totaled.

• Personal property replacement. UMPD may include coverage for damage to personal property, but this can vary by state and individual policy.

• Hit-and-run accidents. UMPD covers damage from hit-and-run accidents in some states, but not all. Check your policy for details.

As with all insurance, it’s worth taking a close look at your policy, which will lay out your coverage and limits.

UMPD State Law Requirements

According to the Insurance Information Institute, drivers in 21 states are required to carry uninsured motorist coverage. Some of these states require only UMBI coverage, while others require both UMBI and UMPD. The locations that require UMPD are:

• District of Columbia

• Maryland

• New Hampshire

• North Carolina

• South Carolina

• Vermont

• Virginia

• West Virginia

States that do not require UMPD may allow insurance companies to decide whether they want to offer it. This is a good reason to shop around to make sure you are finding the best coverage and price for your auto insurance.

Should I Get Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Insurance?

When deciding whether to add UMPD to your insurance coverage, consider the following:

• As of 2022, 14% of drivers on U.S. roads were uninsured. This number has grown steadily over the past few years.

• Adding UMPD insurance costs $78 per year on average. The amount your insurance company charges usually varies by state.

• Some states require drivers to carry UMPD, in which case you will have no choice but to include this coverage in your insurance policy.