If another driver causes a collision and it turns out they have no insurance, you could be left covering your own repair bills — unless you have Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) coverage.
According to the Insurance Research Council, roughly one in eight drivers nationwide is uninsured, with some states approaching nearly 30%. That risk makes UMPD worth understanding, even if you already carry collision coverage.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized insurance or legal advice. Coverage terms, limits, and state requirements vary — consult a licensed agent or your state’s insurance department for guidance specific to your situation.
What Is Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Coverage (UMPD)?
UMPD is a type of auto insurance that pays for damage to your vehicle when an uninsured driver is at fault. It also covers hit-and-run situations, although some states require the at-fault driver to be identified before your insurer will pay out. If you’ve just been hit by an uninsured driver, our step-by-step guide on what to do after an accident with an uninsured driver walks through the claim and police-report process.
The average UMPD claim payment has historically hovered around $1,800, and UMPD typically carries a lower deductible than standard collision insurance.
How UMPD Differs from Collision Coverage
Collision insurance pays for damage to your car after you hit another vehicle or object, regardless of who is at fault. UMPD only pays when an uninsured (or, in some states, underinsured) driver is responsible.
The two coverages can be stacked — meaning you could file under UMPD first to avoid the higher collision deductible — but your insurer’s rules and your state’s laws govern whether stacking is permitted. Note that neither UMPD nor collision covers personal property inside your vehicle.
Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury vs. Uninsured Motorist Property Damage
These two coverages are often sold together but protect against different losses:
| Coverage | What it covers |
|---|---|
| UMBI (Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury) | Medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and funeral costs for you and your passengers when an uninsured driver is at fault |
| UMPD (Uninsured Motorist Property Damage) | Damage to your car and other property when an uninsured driver is at fault; cap is often set at $3,500 |
If you don’t have UMBI, you may need to rely on Medical Payments coverage, Personal Injury Protection, or your own health insurance to cover injuries.
What UMPD Pays For
UMPD can cover:
- Repair costs (or actual cash value) for your vehicle after an uninsured driver causes damage
- The diminished value of your car after repairs are completed
- Damage to residential or other personal property caused by the uninsured driver
- Remaining costs the at-fault uninsured driver is unable to pay
Example: Your UMPD limit is $10,000 with a $200 deductible. An uninsured driver damages your car to the tune of $4,000 and flees the scene. If your state covers hit-and-runs, your insurer pays $3,800 — the $4,000 repair cost minus your $200 deductible.
When Do You Need UMPD Coverage?
1. When Your State Requires It
Several states mandate UMPD as part of a minimum auto insurance policy. Requirements vary widely:
| State | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $15,000 UMPD; covers hit-and-runs even if driver is unidentified |
| New Hampshire | $25,000 UMPD/UIMPD required if you carry any auto insurance |
| North Carolina | $25,000 UMPD with UIMPD if you carry more than minimum liability |
| South Carolina | $25,000 UMPD; insurers must offer UIMPD as an option |
| Vermont | Combined UMPD/UIMPD minimum of $10,000 |
| Virginia | $20,000 UMPD/UIMPD required if you carry auto insurance; $200 deductible for unidentified hit-and-runs |
| Washington, D.C. | $5,000 UMPD per accident |
| West Virginia | $25,000 UMPD; insurers must offer UIMPD as an option |
Check your state’s department of insurance for current minimums, as requirements can change.
Required UMPD minimums in states that mandate coverage
2. When You Want Protection Against Uninsured Drivers
Even in states where UMPD is optional, roughly 13% of U.S. drivers are uninsured nationally — and that figure is meaningfully higher in certain states. If an uninsured driver hits you, you are not automatically shielded from out-of-pocket costs. UMPD fills that gap directly.
3. When You’re Leasing or Financing a Vehicle
Most lenders and leasing companies require UMPD (along with comprehensive and collision) as a condition of financing. Review your lease or loan agreement for the specific coverage minimums required.
UMPD Limits and Exceptions
Limits and Deductibles
UMPD limits are expressed as a single per-accident number. Some states cap UMPD at $3,500; others allow you to choose a higher limit or even actual cash value of your vehicle. Deductibles typically range from $200 to $300 but vary by state and insurer — if the difference between a premium and a deductible is fuzzy, our explainer on what an insurance premium and deductible actually are breaks it down.
Common Exceptions
- Hit-and-run rules vary by state. Some states only pay UMPD if the hit-and-run driver is identified.
- UMPD is not available everywhere. A handful of states do not offer it and treat collision coverage as the substitute.
- Unrelated damage is excluded. Your insurer will require repair documentation, and claims for damage unrelated to the accident will be denied.
- Disputes go to arbitration. If you disagree with your insurer’s settlement offer, the standard remedy is binding arbitration rather than litigation.
Key Takeaways
- UMPD covers repair costs when an uninsured driver is at fault — including most hit-and-runs.
- It is distinct from UMBI (which covers bodily injuries) and from collision (which is fault-agnostic).
- Several states mandate UMPD; many others offer it as an optional add-on.
- Deductibles are typically lower than collision, making it a cost-effective layer of protection in states with high uninsured-driver rates.
- If you lease or finance your car, your lender likely requires it regardless of state law.