Does Insurance Cover a Hit and Run Accident?

A car accident becomes particularly stressful if the other driver leaves the scene without providing information. Hit-and-runs happen frequently. Navigating the aftermath can feel overwhelming, especially with vehicle damage or personal injuries and no identifiable at-fault party. Understanding your automotive insurance policy can provide financial protection and help mitigate the impact of these occurrences. While a hit-and-run leaves you without the other driver’s liability coverage, your own car insurance policy often offers options to cover expenses.

Key Insurance Coverages for Hit and Run

Several types of car insurance coverage can provide financial assistance after a hit-and-run, addressing property damage and bodily injuries. Collision coverage pays for repairs to your vehicle if it is damaged in an accident, regardless of who was at fault. This coverage is useful in hit-and-run scenarios, as it covers your vehicle’s damage even if the other driver is never found. Collision coverage typically requires a deductible, an out-of-pocket amount, before your insurance covers remaining repair costs. Many lenders require collision coverage if your vehicle is financed, ensuring their asset is protected.

Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) coverage helps cover vehicle repairs if your car is damaged by an uninsured driver or a hit-and-run driver. Its availability and whether it specifically covers hit-and-run incidents can vary by state. If available, UMPD usually has a deductible, though it might be lower than a collision deductible. This coverage acts as a safeguard when the at-fault driver is unknown, effectively treating the fleeing driver as uninsured.

Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury (UMBI) coverage helps with injuries sustained in a hit-and-run. It helps pay for medical bills, lost wages, and other injury-related costs for you and your passengers when the at-fault driver cannot be identified. Unlike collision or UMPD, UMBI typically does not have a deductible, meaning your insurer may cover eligible medical expenses up to your policy limits. UMBI is often a required coverage or must be offered by insurers, providing protection.

Medical Payments (MedPay) and Personal Injury Protection (PIP) are additional coverages for medical expenses regardless of who caused the accident. MedPay helps cover medical bills for you and your passengers, including ambulance fees and hospital visits, and typically has no deductible. PIP, also known as no-fault insurance, covers medical expenses, lost wages, and sometimes other non-medical benefits like household services, for you and your passengers. PIP is mandatory in some states that operate under a no-fault system, while MedPay is typically optional, and their availability varies by state.

Immediate Actions After a Hit and Run

Taking immediate steps after a hit-and-run accident is important for your safety and any subsequent insurance claim. Your first priority is to ensure the safety of yourself and any passengers. This includes checking for injuries and, if anyone is hurt, calling 911 for medical assistance. If your vehicle is in a hazardous location, move it to a safe spot if possible and safe to do so.

Reporting the incident to the police provides an official record of the event. Even if the damage seems minor or no injuries are apparent, a police report is often required by insurance companies for a hit-and-run claim. When officers arrive, provide them with details such as the time and location of the accident, a description of the other vehicle, and any identifying features like a partial license plate number or direction of travel. Obtaining a copy of the police report or its report number is essential, as this document serves as evidence for your insurance claim.

Documenting the scene thoroughly is important for supporting your claim. Use your phone to take photos and videos of the damage to your vehicle, the surrounding area, any debris left behind, and relevant road conditions. Look for potential witnesses and, if possible, gather their contact information and a brief statement. Note any nearby surveillance cameras, such as those on businesses or traffic poles, as their footage could help identify the driver.

Notify your insurance company as soon as possible after the incident, even if you are still at the scene. Many insurance policies require prompt reporting of any accident, and delays could affect your eligibility for coverage. Provide your insurer with all the details and evidence you have collected, including the police report number. This initial notification starts the process and allows your insurer to guide you.

The Insurance Claim Process

After taking immediate actions and notifying your insurance company, the formal claim process begins. This involves submitting a claims form, which can often be done online, through a mobile app, or with the assistance of an agent. You will need to provide all the documentation and evidence you gathered, such as the police report, photographs of the damage, and any witness statements. Being thorough and organized with your records can help streamline the process.

Your insurance company will assign an adjuster to investigate your claim. The adjuster’s role is to review the submitted evidence, assess the damage to your vehicle, and address any personal injury claims. They may analyze the police report, interview witnesses, and seek additional information to determine the extent of the covered losses. This investigation helps the insurer understand the circumstances of the hit-and-run and verify the claim.

Understanding deductibles and policy limits is important during the claim settlement phase. A deductible is the amount you are responsible for paying out-of-pocket before your insurance begins to pay for damages. For property damage claims under collision or UMPD coverage, a deductible will apply. UMBI claims generally do not have a deductible.

Policy limits represent the maximum amount your insurer will pay for specific types of covered claims. If the repair costs or medical expenses exceed your policy’s limits, you are responsible for the difference. Once the assessment is complete and the claim is approved, your insurer will arrange for compensation, which may involve direct payment to a repair shop or reimbursement to you for covered expenses. If the hit-and-run driver is later identified, your insurer may pursue subrogation, which is their right to recover the costs from the at-fault driver’s insurer, potentially allowing for reimbursement of your deductible.