What Is Uninsured Motorist Property Damage?
Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) is a type of auto insurance that pays for damage to your car or other property if it is damaged by a driver without car insurance. UMPD can cover damage to the policyholder’s vehicle as well as stationary objects that they own, including their house and fence.
Uninsured motorist property damage insurance is commonly purchased with underinsured motorist property damage insurance, which applies when the at-fault driver is insured but does not have enough liability insurance to cover the policyholder’s expenses.
Key Things to Know About UMPD Insurance
- UMPD is one of two types of uninsured motorist coverage, along with uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI).
- Uninsured motorist property damage insurance is only required in six states.
- Most states do not allow drivers to purchase UMPD.
- UMPD is unnecessary for drivers with collision insurance.
How Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Works
Uninsured motorist property damage insurance replaces the property damage liability insurance that an uninsured driver should have purchased. Normally, property damage liability coverage pays for damage that the policyholder causes to other people’s property, and it’s required in nearly every state. But if an at-fault driver is uninsured, your UMPD coverage will pay instead. And if the at-fault driver has liability insurance but not enough to pay for the damage, that’s when you can use underinsured motorist property damage coverage to pay for your remaining expenses.
Filing a UMPD claim may require you to pay a deductible, though it usually depends on the state. In some states, you may also be able to use uninsured motorist property damage coverage if you’re the victim of a hit and run. However, certain states, like California and Illinois, require the at-fault driver to be identified in order for UMPD coverage to apply.
What Does Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Cover?
- Repairs or replacement of the policyholder’s vehicle if it is damaged by an uninsured driver.
- Repairs or replacement of the policyholder’s property, such as their house or fence, if it is damaged by an uninsured driver.
- Expenses resulting from a hit and run (in some states).
- Property damage caused by an underinsured driver.
When the policyholder is found to be at fault in an accident, they cannot use their UMPD coverage to pay for their own vehicle damage or to pay for damage to the other driver’s vehicle. The policyholder must use their own collision insurance to cover repairs to their vehicle, and their liability insurance will cover the not-at-fault driver.
Learn more about what uninsured motorist property damage insurance covers.
Do You Need Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Coverage?
You need uninsured motorist property damage coverage if it is mandatory in your state. If UMPD is optional in your state, then you may not need it if you have collision insurance, which pays to repair or replace your car after any accident with another vehicle.
If you don’t have coverage that can apply to an accident with an uninsured motorist, UMPD can be an affordable way to avoid paying out of pocket for your vehicle repairs. It’s also a good idea to see how many drivers are uninsured in your state. Considering that as many as 1 in 5 drivers are uninsured in some states, some extra protection against uninsured motorists may be worth the investment.
Learn more about whether you need uninsured motorist property damage insurance.
Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Requirements by State
Uninsured motorist property damage coverage is required in six states and the District of Columbia. UMPD is optional in 19 other states. In the remaining 26 states, drivers do not have the option to purchase UMPD at all.
States That Require UMPD Insurance
| State | Required UMPD Coverage |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $15,000 |
| North Carolina | $25,000 |
| South Carolina | $25,000 |
| Vermont | $10,000 |
| Virginia | $20,000 |
| West Virginia | $25,000 |
| District of Columbia | $5,000 |
States Where UMPD Insurance is Optional
| Alaska | Indiana | Ohio | Washington |
| Arkansas | Illinois | Oregon | |
| California | Louisiana | Rhode Island | |
| Colorado | Mississippi | Tennessee | |
| Delaware | New Jersey | Texas | |
| Georgia | New Mexico | Utah |
How to Get Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Insurance
1. Look into your state’s insurance laws.
Your state may require a certain amount of uninsured motorist property damage coverage in addition to uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage. But drivers should consider purchasing more than the minimum amount required, since the minimum amount isn’t always enough to cover all accident-related costs if an uninsured motorist causes extensive property damage.
2. Compare quotes.
Once you have an idea of the UMPD limits that are best for your individual situation, check with your current insurer to see how much it will cost to add uninsured motorist property damage to your policy. If you think it raises your premium an unreasonable amount, you can get quotes from other insurance companies to make sure you are getting the best rate. You can use online comparison tools or you can get quotes from the insurance companies directly.
Best Companies That Offer Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Insurance
3. Pick a deductible.
UMPD coverage uses a deductible that typically ranges from $100 to $1,000. This deductible is what you will have to pay out of pocket when you file a UMPD claim before your coverage will kick in.
4. Confirm your policy.
After you purchase your policy, you should receive an email or a letter in the mail confirming your coverage. If you do not receive confirmation, contact your insurer and make sure your policy is in effect.
Collision vs. Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Insurance
While collision insurance covers the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle after an accident, uninsured motorist property damage insurance only covers the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle after it is damaged by a driver who does not have liability insurance. Collision insurance is typically preferable to uninsured motorist property damage insurance since collision insurance can apply in a wider variety of circumstances.
| Type of Insurance | Collision | Uninsured Motorist Property Damage |
|---|---|---|
| When It Applies | Your vehicle is damaged in an accident | Your vehicle or property is damaged in an accident caused by an uninsured motorist |
| What It Covers | Cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle | Cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle or personal property |
| Required by Law? | No, but a lender or lessor may require it | Yes, by six states and the District of Columbia |
| Deductibles | $100 to $1,000, depending on the insurer and consumer choice | $100 to $1,000, depending on the state |
Learn more about choosing between collision insurance and uninsured motorist insurance.
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