Does my car insurance cover damage caused by a driver who is uninsured or underinsured?
Sometimes you need to know about car insurance for damage caused by a driver who is uninsured or underinsured. Not all auto insurance policies include uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Some states require drivers to have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage so you're covered if you have an accident with an uninsured driver.
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Travis Thompson
Licensed Insurance Agent
Travis Thompson has been a licensed insurance agent for nearly five years. After obtaining his life and health insurance licenses, he began working for Symmetry Financial Group as a State Licensed Field Underwriter. In this position, he learned the coverage options and limits surrounding mortgage protection. He advised clients on the coverage needed to protect them in the event of a death, critica...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Feb 9, 2024
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Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.
UPDATED: Feb 9, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage provides financial support if you are involved in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have insurance or who has insufficient coverage
- Not all car insurance policies include uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
- Many states require drivers to have uninsured/underinsured insurance coverage
You wouldn’t drive your vehicle down the road without making sure that you have insurance in case you cause an accident or get caught in a hail storm. But just because you are protecting yourself and others by following car insurance requirements doesn’t mean that other drivers on the road are as responsible.
Does car insurance cover damage caused by a driver who is uninsured or underinsured? Let’s look at what happens when an uninsured or underinsured driver hits your car.
How Comprehensive and Collision Insurance Works With Uninsured Drivers
Read more: Does my car insurance cover damage caused by an uninsured driver if I have collision coverage?
Purchasing collision car insurance can help to protect you financially if you are involved in an accident and are at fault, or if you get into an accident in a no-fault state. Comprehensive car insurance provides coverage if your vehicle is damaged after hitting an animal or after a tree falls on your car.
However, if another driver causes an accident and doesn’t have auto insurance or doesn’t have sufficient coverage, you could be left covering the bill yourself.
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Uninsured or Underinsured Drivers and Car Insurance
Say that another driver causes an accident but doesn’t have car insurance. Or, a vehicle hits you but drives away without stopping. You might be wondering whether your own car insurance will cover the damage.
In this case, you can file a car insurance claim with your own insurance company. However, you will need to pay your car insurance deductible, which means that you’ll still be facing a bill for an accident that wasn’t your fault.
If your auto insurance policy doesn’t have enough coverage for the damage and/or any medical expenses you and your passengers have accumulated, you may have to pay out of pocket for the remainder.
Uninsured/Underinsured Car Insurance Explained
To protect yourself against the financial costs of getting into an accident with a driver who doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have sufficient coverage, you can add uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to your existing policy. (For more information, read our “What happens if the other driver doesn’t have insurance?“).
Just as there are many different types of car insurance coverage, there are several types of uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance. Which state you live in will determine whether these types of insurance are combined in a single policy, or are kept separate.
The four types of uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage are:
- Uninsured motorist property damage: Also known as UMPD, this coverage pays for damage to your own vehicle after an accident with an uninsured driver.
- Underinsured motorist policy damage: Also known as UIMPD, this coverage pays for damage to your own vehicle after an accident with a driver who doesn’t have sufficient coverage of their own.
- Uninsured motorist bodily injury: Also known as UMBI, this coverage pays for medical bills for you and your passengers after an accident with an uninsured driver.
- Underinsured motorist bodily injury: Also known as UIMBI, this insurance coverage pays for medical bills for you and your passengers after an accident with a driver who doesn’t have sufficient coverage of their own.
An uninsured/underinsured motorist policy will include a combination of these types of coverage. Having all four types of coverage is the only way to protect yourself and your car/belongings in the event of an accident with a driver who is uninsured or lacks sufficient coverage.
If your policy doesn’t include all four types of coverage, you could be left paying for some of the damage out-of-pocket.
State Requirements for Underinsured Motorist Insurance
In some states, uninsured/underinsured car insurance is required for all drivers. Still, even if you live in a state that doesn’t require this type of coverage, it can still be a good investment. In 2019, an estimated 12.6 percent of drivers did not have auto insurance.
Having uninsured/underinsurance motorist coverage can help protect you financially if you get into an accident with a driver who isn’t insured or doesn’t have sufficient insurance to cover your injuries or the cost to repair your vehicle.
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Case Studies: Exploring Damages Caused by Uninsured or Underinsured Drivers
Case Study 1: John’s Uninsured Driver Experience
John is a responsible driver with comprehensive car insurance. One day, while he was waiting at a red light, his car was rear-ended by a driver who fled the scene. John later discovered that the driver was uninsured.
Having uninsured motorist coverage can be invaluable in situations where an uninsured or underinsured driver causes damage to your vehicle. It helps ensure that you are not left with significant financial burdens due to someone else’s negligence.
Case Study 2: Sarah’s Underinsured Driver Dilemma
Sarah owns a high-end luxury car and has a standard car insurance policy. One day, she is involved in a severe collision with a driver who is found to be at fault. However, the at-fault driver’s insurance policy has low coverage limits, which are insufficient to cover the full extent of the damages to Sarah’s vehicle.
Even when the at-fault driver has insurance, it’s essential to consider the coverage limits. If you own an expensive vehicle or want additional protection, underinsured motorist coverage can help bridge the gap between the other driver’s policy limits and the actual cost of repairs, ensuring you don’t bear the financial burden.
Case Study 3: Mark’s Unfortunate Encounter With an Uninsured Driver
Mark is driving home from work when an uninsured driver suddenly veers into his lane and collides with his car. Mark is aware that his car insurance policy doesn’t include uninsured motorist coverage, leaving him concerned about the potential financial repercussions.
This case demonstrates the importance of reviewing and understanding your car insurance policy’s coverage options. By adding uninsured motorist coverage, you can protect yourself against financial loss in situations where an uninsured or underinsured driver causes damage to your vehicle. Failing to include such coverage can leave you vulnerable to substantial out-of-pocket expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all states require uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage?
Not all states require uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Almost half of all states do.
Does my car insurance cover damage caused by a driver who is uninsured or underinsured?
Not all car insurance policies specifically cover uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. You can file a claim with your regular collision insurance after an accident with an uninsured/underinsured motorist, but you will need to pay your deductible.
Can uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage be added to your existing policy?
Most insurance providers allow you to add uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to your existing policy.
Are you looking for free insurance quotes?
Your one-stop online insurance guide. Get free quotes now!
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Travis Thompson
Licensed Insurance Agent
Travis Thompson has been a licensed insurance agent for nearly five years. After obtaining his life and health insurance licenses, he began working for Symmetry Financial Group as a State Licensed Field Underwriter. In this position, he learned the coverage options and limits surrounding mortgage protection. He advised clients on the coverage needed to protect them in the event of a death, critica...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.