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I’m confused about uninsured motorist coverage. Does itcover injuries or your property or both?

There are two types of uninsuredmotorist coverage, one that can cover injuries and another thatcan cover your car. Most drivers who buy uninsured motoristcoverage buy the kind that covers injuries.

Typically when people refer to uninsured motorist, they’rereferring to uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage (also knownas UM or UMBI). There is also uninsured motorist property damagecoverage (UMPD); however, it isn’t nearly as common as UMBI and isnot available in all states.

Uninsured motorist bodily injury is part of the state minimumcar insurance requirements in more than 20 states. It covers yourmedical expenses, up to your limit, if a motorist who is drivingwithout car insurance is found at-fault for injuring you in an autoaccident. It covers injuries to you passengers, too. And dependingupon your policy terms, uninsured motorist bodily injury may alsopay for lost wages and pain and suffering.

Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) can be used if yourvehicle is damaged by an uninsured motorist who is found liable forthe accident. UMPD coverage terms vary. In some states, it will payyour collision deductible, if you carry collision. If you don’tcarry collision, UMPD coverage will pay up to a certain limit, suchas $3,500, and a deductible may be due.

UMPD is required in only eight states. Unless it’s mandatory inyour state, you may instead want to buy collision coverage for yourvehicle.

Collision covers your vehicle in many morecircumstances—includes the ones that are your fault.

Should you buy uninsured motorist coverage, for either bodilyinjury or property damage? See our coverage recommendations inInsurance.com’s Auto Insurance Coverage Calculator.

Additional reading

• How much car insurance do you need?

• What is an SR-22 and how much does it cost?

• What you need to know about auto liabilityinsurance