Washington auto insurance law offers drivers the opportunity to purchase protection against uninsured motorists with uninsured motorist property damage coverage. You automatically have uninsured motorist coverage for your bodily injuries with Washington auto insurance law, but not coverage for damage to your vehicle. Here are a few things that you should know about Washington auto insurance and uninsured motorist property damage coverage.
(1) Washington auto insurance law gives you the opportunity to repair under your uninsured motorist property damage coverage whether the other vehicle is identified or not. If the vehicle is identified, your deductible is $100, if the vehicle is not identified the deductible is $300.
(2) Washington auto insurance law does require that you make impact with the uninsured vehicle; however you do not need to file an accident report to qualify. Washington auto insurance law requires that the report be filed within 72 hours of the accident.
(3) It is imperative that you understand that most Washington auto insurance policies do not automatically include UMPD. You must inform your agent that you want the coverage and your agent will make it an “endorsement” to your coverage.
(4) Finally, if you can identify the owner of the other vehicle without the aid of a police report, you don’t need the report to qualify for UMPD. However, if your accident involves a phantom vehicle you must file an accident report in accordance with Washington auto insurance law.