Is a Hit and Run Covered by Collision or Comprehensive?

Many drivers are unsure whether damage from a hit-and-run falls under collision or comprehensive coverage. This article aims to clarify how insurance typically handles vehicle damage sustained in such an incident.

Collision and Comprehensive Insurance Defined

Collision coverage pays for damage to your vehicle resulting from a collision with another vehicle or object, regardless of who is at fault. This type of coverage applies when your car hits another car, a tree, a fence, or rolls over. It covers the costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle after an impact.

Comprehensive coverage, in contrast, pays for damage to your vehicle from non-collision events. These events include theft, vandalism, fire, natural disasters like hail or floods, or striking an animal. This coverage addresses perils not related to direct impact with another vehicle or object.

Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) coverage covers damage to your vehicle caused by an uninsured driver. In many jurisdictions, UMPD also covers damage from a hit-and-run driver when the at-fault party cannot be identified. This coverage is distinct from both collision and comprehensive, and often provides a direct solution for hit-and-run incidents.

These coverages typically have a deductible, the amount the policyholder pays out of pocket before insurance pays for damages. Deductible amounts vary by coverage type and policy terms. Understanding these coverages helps determine how a hit-and-run might be covered.

Hit and Run Coverage Scenarios

When your car is hit while parked and the other driver flees, Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) often applies. This depends on UMPD availability and meeting state-defined criteria for a hit-and-run. Such criteria commonly include filing a police report within a set timeframe, such as 24 or 72 hours, and the absence of the at-fault driver’s identification.

If UMPD is not available on your policy, or if the incident does not meet the specific requirements for UMPD coverage, your Collision coverage applies. Collision coverage covers damage from impacts regardless of fault, making it a fallback for hit-and-run incidents where UMPD is not an option. If the damage is purely vandalism-related, such as scratches without evidence of impact, comprehensive coverage might be relevant.

If you are actively driving and collide with another vehicle or object, and the other driver involved flees the scene, your Collision insurance is generally the applicable coverage. This scenario is treated as a standard collision because your vehicle sustained damage from a direct impact. The fact that the other driver left does not change the nature of the impact for coverage purposes.

Understanding how deductibles apply in these scenarios is also important. UMPD coverage often has a lower deductible, or even no deductible, compared to collision coverage. This can make UMPD a more financially advantageous option if it is applicable to your specific hit-and-run situation. Specific coverage terms and the applicability of UMPD for hit-and-runs can vary depending on state regulations and individual policy provisions.

Filing a Hit and Run Claim

After a hit-and-run incident, ensuring your safety and the safety of others is the immediate priority. Once the scene is secure, document the damage to your vehicle thoroughly by taking photographs and noting the exact location and time of the incident. Collecting any available witness information is also beneficial.

Promptly reporting the incident to the police is a crucial step for any hit-and-run claim. A police report provides an official record of the event, which is often a mandatory requirement for your insurance company, particularly when filing a claim under Uninsured Motorist Property Damage coverage. The police report number will be needed when you communicate with your insurer.

After contacting the police, you should notify your insurance company as soon as possible. Provide them with all the details you gathered, including the police report number, the date and time of the incident, and a description of the damage to your vehicle. Your insurer will guide you through the next steps of the claim process.

Following your notification, an insurance adjuster will typically assess the damage to your vehicle. Based on the applicable coverage determined by the incident’s specifics, your policy’s deductible will be applied to the repair costs. After the deductible is met, your insurance company will proceed with the claim, facilitating the repair or replacement of your vehicle.