Does Collision Insurance Cover a Hit and Run?

Understanding Collision Coverage for Hit-and-Run

Collision coverage is a component of an automobile insurance policy designed to cover damage to an insured’s vehicle resulting from a collision with another vehicle or object. This coverage applies regardless of who is at fault for the accident. Its purpose is to provide financial protection for the repair or replacement of your own vehicle after an impact.

Collision coverage extends to incidents where the other party involved in an accident leaves the scene, commonly known as a hit-and-run. This coverage pays for damage to your vehicle from an accident, whether the other party is identified or not. Your vehicle’s damage is covered, though policy terms dictate the exact scope.

When filing a claim under your collision coverage for a hit-and-run, your policy’s deductible will apply. A deductible is the amount of money you must pay out-of-pocket before your insurance coverage begins to pay for the remaining repair costs. For example, if your vehicle sustains $3,000 in damage and your deductible is $500, you would pay the first $500, and your insurer would cover the remaining $2,500.

The amount of your deductible can impact your out-of-pocket expenses for a hit-and-run claim. Policyholders often choose higher deductibles to lower their premium costs, meaning more upfront payment if an incident occurs. Conversely, a lower deductible means higher premiums but less out-of-pocket expense at the time of a claim.

Collision coverage addresses damage to your vehicle. It does not cover medical expenses for injuries sustained by you or your passengers in the hit-and-run incident. Collision coverage also does not cover damage to any other property involved in the incident, such as a fence or another vehicle, unless it is your own insured vehicle.

Immediate Steps After a Hit-and-Run

Following a hit-and-run incident, ensuring personal safety and the safety of any passengers should be the immediate priority. Move your vehicle to a safe location if possible, away from active traffic, to prevent further incidents. Once in a secure spot, assess for any injuries before focusing on vehicle damage or other concerns.

Documenting the scene thoroughly is a next step, even if the other driver has fled. Use your smartphone to take clear photographs of the damage to your vehicle from multiple angles, capturing both close-up details and wider shots. Include photos of the surrounding area, such as road signs, landmarks, or street numbers, to help establish the exact location.

Contacting law enforcement to file a police report is a mandatory action for most hit-and-run insurance claims. Many insurance policies require an official police report for processing. The report creates an official record of the incident, providing verifiable documentation for your insurance company. Provide law enforcement with details like the time, location, description of the other vehicle if observed, and any partial license plate numbers.

While waiting for law enforcement, or after they have departed, look for any witnesses who may have seen the incident. Obtain their contact information, such as names and phone numbers, as their accounts could be valuable to the police investigation and your insurance claim. Check for nearby surveillance cameras on businesses or homes that might have captured footage, as this visual evidence can help identify the fleeing vehicle or corroborate your account.

Navigating Your Insurance Claim

After completing immediate steps like filing a police report, the next phase involves interacting with your insurance provider. Report the claim to your insurer as soon as possible, typically within a few days. Most insurers offer multiple ways to report a claim, including through a mobile app, their website, or a direct phone call.

When reporting the claim, provide all information gathered from the scene. This includes the police report number, date, time, location, and a detailed description of your vehicle’s damage. Providing photographs and any witness statements will help expedite your claim’s processing.

After your claim is reported, your insurance company will assign a claims adjuster to your case. The adjuster’s role is to investigate the incident, assess vehicle damage, and determine the appropriate payout under your policy. They may arrange for your vehicle to be inspected or ask you to obtain estimates from a body shop.

The adjuster will review the police report and any evidence you provided to verify the hit-and-run details. They will then communicate the estimated repair costs and the amount the insurance company will cover after your deductible is applied. The timeline for resolution and authorization for repairs can vary, ranging from a few days to several weeks.

Additional Insurance Considerations

While collision coverage is the primary protection for vehicle damage in a hit-and-run, other insurance components can offer additional benefits or alternatives. Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) coverage is relevant in hit-and-run scenarios where the at-fault driver is unknown. UMPD covers damages to your vehicle when the responsible party is uninsured or cannot be identified.

UMPD coverage, where available, often carries a lower deductible, or sometimes no deductible at all, compared to standard collision coverage. This can result in reduced out-of-pocket expenses for the policyholder in a hit-and-run incident. Review your policy details or consult with your insurance agent to understand its applicability, as terms vary by state and insurer.

Beyond vehicle damage, personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payments (MedPay) coverage addresses medical expenses for you and your passengers. These coverages pay for reasonable and necessary medical treatment resulting from an accident, regardless of fault. They are distinct from collision or UMPD coverages, which pertain exclusively to property damage to your vehicle.

PIP and MedPay can cover expenses such as ambulance fees, hospital stays, doctor visits, and rehabilitation. Their specific benefits and limits vary by state and policy. While these coverages do not help with vehicle repair costs, they provide financial protection for physical injuries sustained in a hit-and-run accident.