Does Liability Insurance Cover Hit and Runs?
Clarify what your liability insurance covers in hit and run incidents. Learn which policies protect you and the steps to take.
Auto liability insurance offers financial protection if you are responsible for causing an accident. It covers damages and injuries sustained by other parties, not those you incur yourself. Understanding its scope, particularly in hit and run incidents, is important for all drivers.
Understanding Liability Coverage
Auto liability insurance comprises two main components: bodily injury liability (BIL) and property damage liability (PDL). Bodily injury liability coverage pays for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering for others if you are at fault in an accident. Property damage liability coverage covers repair or replacement of another person’s property, such as their vehicle or other structures, that you damage. This insurance exclusively protects third parties and their assets, meaning it does not cover damages to your own vehicle or your own medical expenses.
How Liability Insurance Applies in Hit and Run Situations
If you cause an accident and leave the scene, your auto liability insurance covers the damages you caused to the other party and their property. Insurers expect the incident to be reported for coverage. However, leaving the scene can lead to significant legal penalties, including fines, license suspension, or imprisonment.
Conversely, if you are the victim of a hit and run incident, your own liability insurance will not cover the damages to your vehicle or your personal injuries. Liability coverage is designed to pay for damages you cause to others, not for damages you sustain yourself. Your liability policy protects you from claims made by other drivers or pedestrians, rather than providing direct compensation for your own losses.
Other Insurance Options for Hit and Run Incidents
Other types of insurance coverage can help if you are the victim of a hit and run accident. Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage covers medical expenses for you and your passengers if the at-fault driver cannot be identified or lacks sufficient insurance. In some jurisdictions, UM/UIM property damage coverage may also extend to damage to your vehicle from an unidentified driver. This coverage acts as a safeguard when the responsible party is unknown or inadequately insured.
Collision coverage pays for damage to your own vehicle regardless of fault, including incidents where the other driver flees the scene. A deductible applies to collision claims, meaning you pay a predetermined amount out of pocket before your insurer covers the remaining repair costs. Medical payments (MedPay) or personal injury protection (PIP) coverages cover medical expenses for you and your passengers, irrespective of fault or the identification of the other driver involved in the hit and run. These coverages offer financial assistance for your medical needs, separate from determining fault.
Steps to Take After a Hit and Run
After a hit and run incident, your safety is paramount; move your vehicle to a secure location if possible. Contact the police promptly to report the accident and ensure an official report is filed. This police report is often a necessary document for filing an insurance claim and provides important details for your insurer.
Documenting the scene by taking photos or videos of vehicle damage, road conditions, and any distinguishing features of the hit and run vehicle is beneficial. Gather any available information, such as witness contact details or partial license plate numbers. Notify your insurance company as soon as possible to begin the claims process.