What is uninsured motorist property damage coverage (UMPD)?

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Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) coverage pays to repair or replace your vehicle when an uninsured driver causes an accident. Your own insurer covers the bill up to your policy limits — so you’re not left chasing a driver who has nothing to offer.

With roughly 1 in 7 drivers on the road carrying no insurance, UMPD fills one of the most common and costly gaps in a standard auto policy. It does not cover your medical bills — that’s handled by uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI) coverage — but for vehicle damage, it’s one of the most direct forms of financial protection available.

One in seven drivers on the road has no insurance — here’s what that actually means for you

According to the Insurance Research Council, roughly 14% of U.S. drivers are uninsured at any given time. That means statistically, every time you’re in a multi-car accident, there’s a real chance the other driver can’t pay for your repairs.

If you don’t have collision coverage or UMPD, you’d be left negotiating directly with a driver who has nothing to offer — or paying out of pocket while you wait on a lawsuit that may never pay out. Checking whether you have this gap in your policy takes about two minutes and could save you thousands.

How does uninsured motorist property damage coverage work?

When an uninsured driver hits your car, here’s what happens step by step:

The accident occurs — the at-fault driver has no insurance (or not enough to cover your damages).
You file a UMPD claim with your own insurance company.
Your insurer pays for vehicle repairs or replacement, up to your policy’s coverage limit.
You pay your deductible, if one applies in your state.
Your insurer may pursue the at-fault driver to recover its costs — a process called subrogation.

UMPD does not cover your medical bills or your passengers’ injuries. That’s handled by a separate coverage called uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI).

Don’t assume a hit-and-run counts automatically

Coverage for hit-and-run accidents under UMPD varies by state. Some states require physical contact with the other vehicle for a UMPD claim to be valid — meaning a driver who swerves to avoid someone and hits a guardrail may not qualify. Check your state’s rules before assuming you’re covered.

What does UMPD cover — and what doesn’t it cover?

UMPD typically covers:

Repair costs for your vehicle after an accident caused by an uninsured driver
Replacement of your vehicle if it’s totaled
Hit-and-run accidents (in most states, if there’s physical contact)
Damage caused by an underinsured driver whose limits fall short of your repair costs

UMPD does not cover:

Your medical bills or your passengers’ injuries (that’s UMBI)
Accidents where you are at fault
Damage to another person’s vehicle
Theft, weather events, or other non-collision damage (that’s comprehensive coverage)

Keep a claims folder ready before you ever need it

Store your insurance card, insurer’s claims phone number, and a basic accident checklist in your glove compartment or phone. In the chaos after an accident, having a simple reference for what to do and who to call saves time and prevents costly mistakes like forgetting to file within your policy’s reporting window.

UMPD vs. collision coverage: which one do you actually need?

This is the most important question to answer before purchasing UMPD — and the answer depends entirely on what’s already on your policy.

Factor	UMPD	Collision coverage
Covers uninsured driver hitting you	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Covers accidents where you’re at fault	❌ No	✅ Yes
Covers hit-and-run	✅ Usually	✅ Yes
Typically has a deductible	Sometimes	Almost always
Average cost	Lower	Higher

Here’s how to think about it based on what you already carry:

If you already have collision coverage: UMPD is largely redundant for vehicle damage purposes. The one exception is that UMPD sometimes carries a lower deductible — or none at all — so filing a UMPD claim instead of a collision claim can save you money if the at-fault driver is confirmed uninsured.
If you have comprehensive but not collision: UMPD is worth adding. Comprehensive only covers non-collision events like theft and weather damage — it won’t pay a cent if an uninsured driver hits your parked car.
If you have neither: UMPD is one of the most affordable ways to get vehicle protection against one of the most common accident scenarios on the road.

Ask your insurer whether filing a UMPD claim affects your premium

In most states it shouldn’t — UMPD claims are typically treated as not-at-fault, which means they can’t be used to raise your rate. But policies vary, and some insurers handle this differently. It’s a simple question that can save you from a surprise rate increase after a claim.

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What happens if you don’t have UMPD or collision coverage?

If an uninsured driver hits your car and you don’t have UMPD or collision coverage, you’re left with three options — none of them quick or guaranteed.

Option 1: Sue the at-fault driver directly You have the right to take an uninsured driver to court and seek compensation for your damages. The problem is that most uninsured drivers are uninsured precisely because they can’t afford insurance — meaning even if you win a judgment, collecting it can be nearly impossible. Legal fees, court time, and years of waiting are common outcomes.
Option 2: File a claim through your state’s uninsured motorist fund A small number of states maintain funds to compensate accident victims hit by uninsured drivers. Eligibility requirements are strict, payouts are often limited, and the process is slow. Most drivers won’t qualify or won’t receive enough to cover their full repair costs.
Option 3: Pay out of pocket For many drivers, this is the only realistic outcome. The average cost to repair a vehicle after a collision is over $4,000 — and if your car is totaled, you’re absorbing the full market value loss with no reimbursement.

The math is straightforward — and sobering

UMPD coverage typically costs between $50 and $150 per year depending on your state and insurer. Compare that to the average collision repair cost of $4,000 or more, and the coverage pays for itself the moment you need it once. If you’re driving without collision coverage to save money, UMPD is the lowest-cost way to close the most dangerous gap in your policy.

How to file a UMPD claim

Filing a UMPD claim is similar to any other auto insurance claim, but there are a few steps specific to uninsured driver situations that can make or break your case.

Step 1: Document everything at the scene Take photos of all vehicle damage, the accident location, any skid marks, and the surrounding area. If the other driver is present, photograph their license plate, driver’s license, and any insurance documents they provide — even if you suspect those documents are fake or invalid.
Step 2: Call the police and get a report A police report is critical for a UMPD claim. It establishes the at-fault driver’s lack of insurance on the official record, which your insurer will require. In a hit-and-run, the report confirms the incident happened and that you made a reasonable effort to identify the other driver.
Step 3: Notify your insurer promptly Contact your insurance company as soon as possible after the accident. Most policies require you to report claims within a specific window — missing this deadline can result in a denied claim, even if you have valid UMPD coverage.
Step 4: Confirm the other driver is uninsured Your insurer will investigate the at-fault driver’s insurance status. This is not always instant. If the other driver gave you insurance information at the scene, your insurer will verify whether the policy was active at the time of the accident.
Step 5: Get a repair estimate Your insurer will either send an adjuster to assess the damage or direct you to a preferred repair shop. You may also get your own independent estimate. Your payout will be based on the cost to repair or the actual cash value of your vehicle if it’s totaled, minus any deductible.
Step 6: Receive payment and get your car repaired Once your claim is approved, your insurer pays the repair shop directly or reimburses you, depending on your policy. If you have a deductible, that amount comes out of pocket before the insurer covers the rest.

Never admit fault at the scene — even partially

Even a casual “I’m sorry” at an accident scene can be used against you during the claims process. Stick to exchanging information, documenting the scene, and letting the police and your insurer determine fault. This is especially important with UMPD claims, where fault must be clearly established on the other driver for your coverage to apply.

How much UMPD coverage do you actually need?

Choosing a UMPD coverage limit isn’t just a formality — picking too low a limit can leave you with a gap nearly as damaging as having no coverage at all.

Start with your vehicle’s actual cash value. Your UMPD limit should be at least equal to the current market value of your vehicle. If your car is worth $28,000 and you carry only $15,000 in UMPD coverage, you’re absorbing a $13,000 loss in a total-loss scenario. Look up your vehicle’s current value using tools like Kelley Blue Book or NADA Guides before choosing a limit.
Factor in your state’s minimum requirements. Some states set minimum UMPD limits. These minimums are often far too low to cover modern vehicle repair or replacement costs and should be treated as a floor, not a target.
Consider whether you have collision as a backstop. If you carry collision coverage with a reasonable limit, you may not need a high UMPD limit since collision will pick up what UMPD doesn’t in most scenarios. If UMPD is your only vehicle damage protection, your limit should reflect the full replacement value of your car.

Common UMPD coverage limits and when they make sense:

Coverage limit	Best suited for
$15,000–$25,000	Older vehicles with lower market value
$25,000–$50,000	Mid-range vehicles or those without collision coverage
$50,000–$100,000	Newer or higher-value vehicles as primary protection

Reassess your limit every time your policy renews

Your car depreciates every year, which means the coverage limit you set two years ago may be higher than you need — or, if you’ve purchased a newer vehicle, dangerously low. A quick check of your car’s current market value at each renewal takes five minutes and ensures your coverage limit actually matches what you’d need to replace it.

Is UMPD required in your state?

Requirements vary significantly. Here’s a full breakdown:

States where UMPD is required: District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia
States where UMPD must be offered but you can reject it in writing: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wyoming
States where UMPD is optional: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Nevada, Ohio, Utah
States where UMPD is not available: Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Wisconsin

“Not required” doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have it

If you live in a state where UMPD is optional, your insurer isn’t required to proactively offer it — and many don’t bring it up unless you ask. With roughly 1 in 7 drivers uninsured nationally, optional doesn’t mean unnecessary. Ask your agent specifically whether UMPD is available on your policy and what it would cost to add it. In most cases it’s one of the cheapest line items on your entire policy.

How to add UMPD coverage to your policy

Check your state’s rules. Confirm whether UMPD is available where you live and whether there are minimum coverage limits you must meet.
Review your existing policy. Check whether you already have collision coverage, which may reduce or eliminate the need for UMPD.
Contact your insurer or get quotes. Call your current insurer first, then compare quotes from at least two or three other carriers. UMPD is usually inexpensive to add.
Compare limits and deductibles. Pay attention to both the maximum payout limit and whether a deductible applies. These vary by policy and state.
Add the coverage and confirm in writing. Once you’ve chosen, get written confirmation that the coverage is active before your next drive.

FAQ

Does UMPD cover hit-and-run accidents?

In most states, yes — but only if there is physical contact between your vehicle and the hit-and-run vehicle. If you swerve to avoid a driver and crash without contact, many states won’t allow a UMPD claim. Always verify with your insurer and check your state’s specific rules.

Will filing a UMPD claim raise my rates?

Generally, no. UMPD claims are typically classified as not-at-fault, which in most states means they can’t be used to raise your premium. However, policies and state laws vary, so confirm with your insurer before filing.

What’s the difference between uninsured and underinsured motorist property damage?

Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) covers you when the at-fault driver has zero insurance. Underinsured motorist property damage (UIMPD) kicks in when the driver has some insurance, but not enough to cover your full repair costs. Many policies bundle both together — check your declarations page carefully to confirm which you have.

What if the at-fault driver gives me a fake insurance card?

File a police report immediately and document everything you can at the scene. Then contact your own insurer and file a UMPD claim. Your insurer will investigate the at-fault driver’s coverage status independently. If they’re confirmed uninsured, your UMPD coverage applies.

Can I file a UMPD claim and a lawsuit at the same time?

Yes, in most states you can pursue both simultaneously. Your insurer may pay your UMPD claim first and then seek reimbursement from the at-fault driver through subrogation. If you win a separate lawsuit, your insurer may be entitled to recover what it paid out. Consult an attorney if you’re considering legal action alongside an insurance claim.

Shivani Gite

Contributing Writer

Shivani Gite is a personal finance and insurance writer with a degree in journalism and mass communication. She is passionate about making insurance topics easy to understand for people and helping them make better financial decisions.

On this page

How does uninsured motorist property damage coverage work?
What does UMPD cover — and what doesn't it cover?
UMPD vs. collision coverage: which one do you actually need?
What happens if you don't have UMPD or collision coverage?
How to file a UMPD claim
How much UMPD coverage do you actually need?
Is UMPD required in your state?
How to add UMPD coverage to your policy
FAQ

Understanding uninsured motorist property damage coverage