How Does Insurance Handle a Hit and Run?
If you’ve ever been in a hit-and-run, you know how stressful it can be. Not only are you dealing with injuries, but you may also be wondering how your insurance will handle the situation.
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The truth is that there are many different ways that your insurance can help you when someone hits your car and leaves the scene of the accident. This can include coverage that pays for your medical bills, your property damage, and even if the at-fault driver is uninsured.
Your car insurance policy has specific steps you need to take after a hit and run to help ensure your safety and make filing a claim easier. These steps are designed to protect your personal property and help you get the best possible outcome from this type of accident.
- If you can’t identify the at-fault driver, file a police report to help law enforcement locate the driver.
In most cases, the act of leaving the scene of an accident is a crime, so you should do everything you can to help law enforcement locate the responsible party. This can include taking down the names and phone numbers of witnesses, obtaining contact information from anyone who offered assistance, and recording the details of the accident in an official police report.
- If you can, leave your contact and insurance information on the windshield of the other vehicle.
While it’s tempting to drive away from the scene of an accident after a hit-and-run, you should always remain where you are until law enforcement arrives. This will protect you and your vehicle from further damage, as well as increase the odds that the guilty party will be found.
- You should immediately check to see if any people were hurt in the accident, and if so, call emergency services for assistance.
- Depending on your state, you may be able to claim a portion of your damages under the victim compensation programs.
- You should file a claim with your insurance company as soon as possible.
If you’re unsure whether your insurance policy covers a hit-and-run, call your agent or insurer to find out what your policy includes. This will help you determine what type of coverage will be most helpful in this situation.
- If the at-fault driver is uninsured, you should file an Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury or Property Damage claim.
While these types of claims can be expensive, they can provide you with peace of mind if you are hit by an uninsured driver. Having this coverage will pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses related to the accident up to the limits of your policy.
- If you have MedPay coverage, this can also be a helpful way to cover your medical expenses in a hit-and-run.
- If your injuries are severe, you should seek out professional medical attention right away.
Regardless of who was at fault, you should still report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. This will help your insurance company find the at-fault driver and make the process of filing a claim much easier for you.