Tygart Media · Auto Claims Guides · The other driver's insurer
QUICK ANSWEROriginally published at autoclaims.tygartmedia.com · Reviewed October 4, 2026
The short answer: your own policy is the rescue plan. Check for uninsured motorist property-damage coverage first, then collision coverage, then uninsured motorist bodily injury if anyone was hurt. File promptly, document everything, and treat the process with the same discipline as a claim against the other driver’s insurer — because in a real sense, your insurer is now playing that role.
The order to check your own policy
- Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD). In states that offer it, this covers your car when the at-fault driver is uninsured — sometimes with no deductible or a small one.
- Collision coverage. Covers your car’s repair or value regardless of fault, minus your deductible. If UMPD isn’t available, this is the workhorse.
- Uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI). Covers medical costs and related losses if you or passengers are hurt. Process-only here: injury claim first steps →
- Medical payments / personal injury protection — if you carry it, this pays medical bills regardless of fault.
What changes about the dynamic
With uninsured-motorist claims, your own insurer evaluates the claim the way the other driver’s insurer would have — scrutinizing fault, valuation, and injuries. The friendly relationship changes. Document as if you were dealing with an adversary: photos, reports, receipts, written timelines.
If you don’t carry these coverages
- Pursuing the driver personally — possible in small claims court for modest amounts, but uninsured drivers often have limited assets to collect against.
- State-specific funds or programs — a few states have uninsured-driver mechanisms. Your state’s insurance department can tell you if yours does.
- The lesson for next renewal: uninsured-motorist coverage is usually inexpensive relative to what it protects. Check your declarations page today.
Important Notice
Don’t skip the police report here An uninsured at-fault driver has every reason to disappear or change their story. The official report — filed immediately — is what anchors the uninsured-motorist claim.
Disclaimer
Informational only — not legal or insurance advice.
Uninsured-motorist coverage rules vary significantly by state — some states require it, some offer it as an option, availability differs. Check your own policy and your state’s insurance department, or talk to a licensed professional.
Uninsured driver: your options
| Coverage | What it does |
|---|---|
| Uninsured motorist (UM) | Stands in for their missing liability coverage |
| Underinsured (UIM) | Fills the gap when their limits are too low |
| Collision | Fixes your car regardless of fault |
| Sue the driver personally | Possible — but uninsured drivers rarely have assets |
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