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Uninsured motorist coverage can help pay for covered injuries or vehicle damage after a crash with an at-fault uninsured driver, but the type of coverage matters. UM bodily injury (UMBI) addresses injuries; UM property damage (UMPD) may address damage to your car. Whether a hit-and-run qualifies, what limits or deductibles apply, and what evidence is required depend on your policy and state rules.
Which losses can uninsured motorist coverage pay for?
Injuries: uninsured motorist bodily injury
Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage, often abbreviated UMBI, is first-party coverage that may compensate you and covered passengers for injuries when an at-fault driver has no applicable liability insurance. It may also apply to a covered hit-and-run. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) describes the coverage as paying for the insured’s and passengers’ bodily injuries in those circumstances: NAIC auto insurance consumer guide.
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Payment is not automatic. The policy’s definitions of covered people and incidents, coverage limits, exclusions, proof of fault, and state rules all matter. UMBI concerns bodily injury; it does not, by itself, mean your car repairs are covered.
Vehicle damage: uninsured motorist property damage
Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) is a separate coverage component that may pay for damage to your insured vehicle caused by an at-fault uninsured driver. Some policies or states may allow it for certain hit-and-run crashes, but do not assume every UMPD policy covers every hit-and-run. Availability, conditions, limits, and any deductible depend on the policy and state. The NAIC notes that uninsured motorist coverage varies and vehicle claims can involve a deductible: NAIC auto insurance consumer guide.
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What if the other driver fled or has too little insurance?
Hit-and-run crashes
A hit-and-run may qualify under UMBI for injuries or UMPD for vehicle damage, but the policy and state determine the conditions. Requirements can differ, including what identification or documentation is needed. Contact your insurer promptly and ask what it requires for your specific claim rather than relying on a universal rule.
Uninsured is not the same as underinsured
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage addresses an at-fault driver who lacks insurance in the relevant coverage context. Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage may address an at-fault driver who has insurance, but not enough to cover the loss. State law and policy forms determine when the driver counts as underinsured and how UIM coordinates with other payments. For a consumer overview, see the NAIC auto insurance guide and its auto insurance consumer guide.
Can collision coverage pay for your car repairs instead?
Collision coverage may be another route for damage to your own car after it collides with another vehicle or object. It is separate from UM coverage and usually has a deductible. Whether collision or UMPD is the better route depends on your policy’s coverage, limits, deductible, and the applicable state rules. The NAIC explains the distinction between collision and uninsured motorist coverage in its consumer auto insurance guide.
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How much can you receive, and what rules apply?
UMBI and UMPD are subject to the limits shown in your policy, and vehicle coverage may have a deductible. The declarations page is a useful starting point for identifying your limits and deductible, but the policy wording explains who and what is covered and under which conditions.
State rules and policy language can affect whether coverage is required or offered, hit-and-run conditions, deductibles, limit stacking, settlement procedures, and filing deadlines. There is no single nationwide rule that answers all of these questions. The NAIC explains that coverage varies by state and policy in its consumer guide.
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Uninsured driving is not equally common everywhere. The NAIC reported an Insurance Research Council estimate that 15.4% of U.S. motorists—about one in seven—were uninsured in 2023. The reported state estimates ranged from 5.7% in Maine to 28.2% in Mississippi. These are 2023 estimates, not current-year figures: NAIC consumer insight on uninsured motorists.
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What to check in your policy and after a crash
Review the policy before you need to file
- Check the declarations page for separate UMBI and UMPD limits and any deductible.
- Read the provisions on covered people, insured vehicles, hit-and-run incidents, notice, and cooperation.
- Look for arbitration or settlement procedures and any terms explaining how UM or UIM coordinates with other coverage.
- Check whether collision, medical payments, or PIP coverage is also available to you.
When making a claim
- Preserve the records and information available from the crash, and contact your insurer promptly.
- Ask which coverage the insurer is considering—UMBI, UMPD, collision, or another applicable coverage—and what limits and deductible apply.
- For a hit-and-run, ask whether the insurer requires a police report or other documentation, and what policy conditions apply.
- If the insurer’s position is unclear or disputed, contact your state insurance department. The NAIC provides a directory of state insurance departments; the help available varies by jurisdiction.
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