If you ride a motorcycle and get hit by a driver who doesn’t have insurance, you could be stuck paying for your own repairs. That’s where uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) comes in. It’s not required in most states, but for motorcycle riders, skipping it might be one of the costliest mistakes you can make.
What Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Actually Covers
UMPD pays for damage to your motorcycle if you’re hit by a driver who doesn’t have liability insurance-or if you’re the victim of a hit-and-run. Unlike bodily injury coverage, which handles medical bills, UMPD is focused on your bike: cracked frames, broken mirrors, damaged wheels, or totaled engines. It doesn’t cover your injuries, lost wages, or pain and suffering. Those need separate coverage.
Let’s say you’re stopped at a red light and a sedan runs into you from behind. The driver flees. You find out later they’re uninsured. Without UMPD, you’re on your own for a $4,000 repair bill. With it, your insurer steps in, pays the claim (minus your deductible), and may even try to recover the money from the at-fault driver.
Why Motorcycles Are More Vulnerable
Motorcycles don’t have airbags, crumple zones, or steel cages. A minor fender bender that leaves a car with a scratched bumper can leave a motorcycle bent, broken, or completely unusable. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to die in a crash than car occupants. But even non-fatal crashes often mean expensive repairs.
And the risk isn’t just from reckless drivers. In 2024, nearly 14% of drivers on U.S. roads were uninsured-up from 12.6% in 2020. That’s one in seven vehicles you share the road with. In states like Mississippi and New Mexico, over 25% of drivers are uninsured. Even in low-risk states, you can’t assume the person behind you has insurance.
Does Your Standard Motorcycle Insurance Cover This?
No. Basic liability insurance only covers damage you cause to others. It doesn’t protect you. Collision coverage pays for your repairs regardless of fault-but only if you’re at fault or if the other driver can’t be found. It doesn’t help if the other driver is uninsured and identified.
That’s where UMPD fills the gap. It’s the only coverage that specifically steps in when the person who hit you has no insurance. Collision coverage might cover the same damage, but it usually costs more and requires you to pay a higher deductible. UMPD is often cheaper and has lower deductibles, sometimes as low as $250.
State Laws: What’s Required and What’s Not
Only 14 states require UMPD for motorcycles. Most others make it optional. Here’s the breakdown:
- States that require UMPD for motorcycles: Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.
- States that allow UMPD but don’t require it: 30 states, including Florida, Texas, and California.
- States that don’t offer UMPD at all: Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
If you live in a state that doesn’t offer UMPD, your best bet is collision coverage plus underinsured motorist bodily injury (UIM) if you want protection beyond just property damage.
Cost vs. Risk: Is It Worth It?
Adding UMPD to your motorcycle policy typically costs between $15 and $40 a year-sometimes less than a tank of gas. Compare that to the average repair cost after a crash: $3,200, according to a 2023 study by the Motorcycle Industry Council. For riders with custom bikes or high-end models, repairs can easily hit $8,000 or more.
Let’s say you pay $30 extra per year for UMPD with a $500 deductible. If you get hit by an uninsured driver once every five years, you’d pay $150 in premiums over that time. If your bike gets damaged for $4,000, you pay $500 out of pocket and your insurer covers $3,500. You saved $3,350 for a $150 investment.
That’s not just smart-it’s a no-brainer.
What UMPD Doesn’t Cover
It’s important to know the limits. UMPD only covers:
- Physical damage to your motorcycle
- Damage from an uninsured driver or hit-and-run
It does NOT cover:
- Medical bills for you or your passenger
- Lost wages or pain and suffering
- Damage from a driver who is underinsured (they have insurance, but not enough)
- Theft, fire, or weather damage
If you want protection for injuries, you need uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI) coverage. Some insurers bundle UMPD and UMBI together, so ask about both.
What to Do If You’re Hit by an Uninsured Driver
If you’re hit and the other driver has no insurance:
- Call the police. Get a report-even if they fled.
- Take photos of the scene, your bike, and any visible damage.
- Get contact info from witnesses.
- Notify your insurer immediately. Most policies require you to report within 24-72 hours.
- File a UMPD claim. Provide the police report and repair estimates.
Your insurer will investigate. If they confirm the other driver was uninsured, they’ll pay your claim minus your deductible. In some cases, they’ll even pursue the driver for reimbursement.
Alternatives to UMPD
If UMPD isn’t available in your state, or you’re trying to cut costs, here are your options:
- Collision coverage: Pays for your repairs regardless of fault. Costs more than UMPD and usually has a higher deductible.
- Comprehensive coverage: Covers theft, vandalism, and weather damage-but not crashes caused by other drivers.
- Personal injury protection (PIP): Only covers medical costs, not bike damage.
- Self-insuring: Save money on premiums, but risk paying thousands out of pocket if hit by an uninsured driver.
For most riders, collision coverage is the closest substitute-but it’s not as targeted or affordable as UMPD when available.
How to Add UMPD to Your Policy
Don’t assume your current policy includes it. Call your agent and ask: “Do I have uninsured motorist property damage coverage for my motorcycle?” If the answer is no, ask how much it costs to add it. Most companies can add it in minutes.
Compare quotes. Some insurers offer UMPD for as little as $12/year. Others bundle it with UMBI. Make sure you’re not paying for coverage you don’t need.
Also check your deductible. You can often lower it from $1,000 to $250 for a small premium increase. For a $4,000 repair, that’s $750 less out of pocket.
Real-Life Example: Sarah’s Story
Sarah, a 32-year-old nurse in Oregon, rides a 2023 Honda CBR600RR. She added UMPD for $28 a year. One rainy evening, a truck ran a red light and totaled her bike. The driver had no insurance. Sarah filed a UMPD claim with a $500 deductible. Her insurer paid $8,200 for a new bike. She didn’t have to dip into savings, take out a loan, or wait months for a settlement. She was back on the road in 11 days.
She didn’t win a lottery. She just had the right coverage.
Final Verdict: Do You Need It?
If you ride a motorcycle, yes-you need uninsured motorist property damage coverage.
It’s cheap. It’s simple. It protects the one thing you ride every day. And in a world where one in seven drivers is uninsured, assuming the other person has insurance is a gamble you can’t afford to lose.
Don’t wait until after an accident to ask. Call your insurer today. Add UMPD. It’s the smartest $30 you’ll spend this year on your bike.
Is uninsured motorist property damage required for motorcycles?
No, it’s not required in most states. Only 14 states mandate UMPD for motorcycles. In the rest, it’s optional-but strongly recommended. Always check your state’s insurance laws, but even in states where it’s not required, skipping it leaves you financially exposed.
Does UMPD cover medical bills after a crash?
No, UMPD only covers damage to your motorcycle. If you’re injured by an uninsured driver, you need uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI) coverage. Some insurers bundle UMPD and UMBI together, so ask your agent if you want both.
How much does UMPD cost for motorcycles?
Typically between $15 and $40 per year. That’s less than the cost of a new helmet or a tank of gas. The exact price depends on your state, insurer, deductible, and bike value. Some companies offer it for under $12 a year.
What’s the difference between UMPD and collision coverage?
Collision coverage pays for your repairs no matter who caused the crash. UMPD only pays when the other driver is uninsured or hit-and-run. UMPD usually costs less and has a lower deductible. If you’re hit by an uninsured driver, UMPD is the more cost-effective option.
Can I get UMPD if I live in Texas or Florida?
Yes. Both Texas and Florida allow UMPD coverage for motorcycles, even though they don’t require it. You can add it to your policy by request. Don’t assume it’s included-ask your agent specifically for uninsured motorist property damage.
What if the other driver has insurance but not enough?
UMPD doesn’t cover underinsured drivers. For that, you need underinsured motorist property damage (UIMPD), which is offered in fewer states. If UIMPD isn’t available, collision coverage is your best alternative. Always ask your insurer if they offer underinsured coverage.
