Uninsured motorist can be for either bodily injury or property damage. Uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI) covers the insured, members of their household and passengers for injuries or death caused by an at-fault uninsured motorist. A UMBI policy normally covers the medical expenses of those injured up to the limits of the policy.

The exact terms and coverage vary with the policy and applicable state laws and regulations, but typically an uninsured motorist policy will reimburse you for medical treatment, lost wages, and damages such as pain and suffering.

The UM policy usually covers the driver and passengers, as well as anyone driving the car with permission. It may even cover such damages when the policy holder (or sometimes a family member as well) is struck as a pedestrian by an uninsured motorist.

Some uninsured motorist policies also include coverage for accidents by phantom drivers, meaning hit and run drivers who are not found, who are treated as uninsured drivers, but they usually require independent corroboration, by a witness or other proof that your vehicle was struck by another car that left the scene of the accident.

Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) covers your automobile when property damage is sustained by an insured and the other at-fault driver does not possess insurance. If you do not have collision coverage on your vehicle, UMPD will pay up to a certain amount for repairs to the policyholder's vehicle. If you have collision coverage than normally UMPD only pays your collision deductible (in certain states).

Each state has specific coverages and limits available, but Uninsured Motorist Property Damage coverage typically covers damage to the insured vehicle in an accident caused by a driver who has no insurance coverage. Sometimes hit and run damages will also be covered, but some policies do not cover this by stating the uninsured driver/vehicle must be 'known."

Each state has different limitations to determine the UMPD limits. For example in California if you don’t have Collision coverage, Uninsured Motorist Property Damage coverage pays up to $3,500 for repairs to the insured car. If you have Collision coverage, Uninsured Motorist Property Damage coverage pays your Collision deductible.

Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury is required as part of your minimum auto insurance coverages in several states while in others it is required to be offered though the policyholder can waive, in writing, the coverage if they so desire. If you do not have health insurance or Medpay (medical payments coverage as part of your auto insurance) that would cover you in an accident with an uninsured motorist then you may want to add UMBI to your policy. If you are severely hurt in an accident with an uninsured motorist it should ease your burden.

UMPD is required in a few states however if you have collision coverage it is not normally needed since you could make a claim through your collision portion of your policy if you have an accident with an uninsured motorist.

For more information on the types of car insurance coverages there are available to you please visit our Learning Center. We have coverage definitions, a glossary of insurance terms and many informational articles available to you here.

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