Haris Ashley
Being involved in a hit-and-run accident can be a scary experience. A hit-and-run occurs when a driver does not stop to exchange information with the other driver and leaves the scene, which is illegal in all states. If you are the victim of a hit-and-run, your insurance policy may help cover the costs of repairs and injuries. The type of coverage you have will determine the extent of your insurance company's assistance. For example, collision coverage can help pay for repairs, while uninsured motorist coverage can help pay for bodily injuries and property damage. It's important to note that being involved in a hit-and-run, whether as the victim or the at-fault driver, may result in an increase in your insurance premium rate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is a hit-and-run accident? | An accident where the at-fault party leaves the scene without providing information about themselves |
| What to do after a hit-and-run accident? | Move your car to the side of the road, turn on the hazard lights, check on your passengers, and call 911. If possible, try to get the license plate number or the make and model of the car. Contact law enforcement as soon as it is safe to do so. |
| How does insurance help in a hit-and-run accident? | Depending on your policy and state, insurance coverages that may help include collision coverage, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM), uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD), uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI), personal injury protection (PIP), and medical payments (Med Pay). |
| Impact on insurance rates | Being involved in a hit-and-run accident, whether as the at-fault driver or a victim, may result in an increase in insurance premium rates and the loss of accident-free discounts or accident forgiveness benefits. |
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What You'll Learn
Collision coverage
In some states, Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) coverage requires contact with the vehicle responsible for the hit-and-run. If you never came into contact with the other vehicle, UMPD might not apply, and the at-fault driver may need to be identified before coverage can be provided. Collision coverage enables the hit-and-run to be covered regardless of whether the other driver is identified.
If you don't have collision coverage or UMPD, your car's physical damages won't be covered in a hit-and-run accident. Your only recourse for compensation will be to find the driver who caused the accident. According to the Insurance Information Institute, nearly 13% of drivers countrywide are uninsured. Therefore, it's essential to consider collision coverage or UMPD, which is mandated or available in most states and relatively inexpensive to add to your policy.
When deciding whether to file a claim for a hit-and-run, consider the cost of damages and whether it exceeds your deductible. If you file a claim, your rates will likely increase. If you have uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI) coverage, it can help cover injuries suffered in a hit-and-run accident, depending on your state. Medical payments (Med Pay) or personal injury protection (PIP) coverages can also help with medical expenses, regardless of who is at fault.
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Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD)
It's important to note that UMPD is not available in all states and the specifics of the coverage may vary depending on your location. In some states, UMPD is mandated, while in others, it is optional or unavailable. Additionally, the coverage may or may not include a deductible, depending on the state and insurer. Therefore, it is essential to review the specific terms and conditions of UMPD coverage in your state.
UMPD is designed to protect your vehicle and, in some states, your belongings inside the vehicle, from damage caused by uninsured or underinsured drivers. This coverage is especially useful if you are concerned about the financial burden of repairing or replacing your vehicle after an accident with an uninsured driver. Without UMPD or collision coverage, you may be left bearing the full cost of repairs.
When considering whether to add UMPD to your insurance policy, it's important to weigh the benefits against the costs. UMPD is relatively inexpensive to add to your policy and can provide valuable protection in the event of a hit-and-run or an accident with an uninsured driver. However, if you already have collision coverage, you may not need UMPD, as collision coverage typically includes protection against any physical damage to your vehicle, regardless of fault.
In summary, uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) is a valuable form of insurance coverage that can protect you financially in the event of a hit-and-run or an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver. The availability and specifics of UMPD may vary depending on your state, so it's important to review the details of the coverage in your location. By adding UMPD to your policy, you can gain peace of mind knowing that you're protected against the financial burden of vehicle repairs or replacement.
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Uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI)
The amount of UMBI coverage you need depends on the amount of bodily injury liability insurance you have. You can choose to match the limit of your liability coverage, ensuring you have the same level of protection for yourself and your passengers. In some states, UMBI coverage is automatically included in your car insurance policy unless you reject it in writing, while other states may require you to purchase it separately. It is essential to review your policy closely to understand your protections.
UMBI coverage helps protect you financially in the event of an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver. Without this coverage, you may be responsible for paying your medical expenses out of pocket or relying on your health insurance, which may have limitations or high deductibles. UMBI ensures that you can receive compensation for your injuries, regardless of the other driver's insurance status.
In addition to UMBI, there are other types of coverages that can provide protection in a hit-and-run scenario. Collision coverage, for example, protects against physical damage to your car caused by impact, regardless of fault. Personal injury protection (PIP) and medical payments (Med Pay) coverages can also help with injury-related expenses, regardless of who is at fault. These coverages may overlap with UMBI, so it is important to understand your specific policy and the requirements of your state.
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Medical payments (Med Pay)
Medical payments coverage, also known as MedPay, is an additional coverage option for auto insurance policies in most states. MedPay is supplemental to your regular health insurance and covers medical expenses for you or your passengers in the event of a car accident, regardless of who is at fault. This can include health insurance deductibles and co-pays, visits to a doctor or hospital, X-rays and surgery, ambulance and emergency medical technician fees, rehabilitation and nursing care, and some medical equipment.
MedPay is typically offered as an optional coverage in most states, with limits ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. However, some states do not offer MedPay, and instead have personal injury protection (PIP) coverage available. PIP generally offers more generous coverage than MedPay, including provisions for psychiatric care, rehabilitative care, and lost wages. In some situations, having both MedPay and PIP can be advantageous, as MedPay can help cover expenses that exceed the limits of PIP coverage.
If you do not have health insurance, MedPay can be a valuable addition to your auto insurance policy, helping to cover medical expenses resulting from a car accident. Even if you have health insurance, MedPay can assist in covering out-of-pocket costs, such as deductibles and co-insurance payments, which are typically required by health insurance providers for emergency care.
When choosing your MedPay coverage limit, it is important to consider your other health insurance plans and select a limit that will adequately cover potential medical expenses. Additionally, it is worth noting that MedPay can also extend to pedestrians who might be injured in an accident, providing additional protection in urban areas where the incidence of foot traffic is higher.
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Personal injury protection (PIP)
The amount of coverage provided by PIP insurance varies by state. Some states are considered no-fault states, where every driver must file a claim with their own insurance company after an accident, regardless of who caused it. In these states, all drivers are required to buy PIP coverage as part of their auto policies. Other states are considered at-fault states, where the insurance company of the driver who caused the accident is responsible for paying for injuries. In these states, PIP coverage is typically optional, although some at-fault states require or offer it.
It's important to note that PIP insurance doesn't cover everything. For example, it won't protect you against damage to your vehicle or theft of your vehicle. You may need to add comprehensive car insurance coverage and auto collision coverage for those situations. Additionally, if you already have health insurance, PIP coverage can help pay for medical costs that your health insurance doesn't cover.
The specific details of what is covered by PIP insurance can vary, so it's important to review the terms and conditions of your policy to understand your coverage fully. In some states, PIP coverage may include a deductible, with a range of deductible amounts to choose from.
Overall, PIP insurance can provide valuable protection in the event of a hit-and-run accident, ensuring that you and your passengers receive the medical care you need and helping to cover other related expenses.
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Frequently asked questions
Your first priority should be to get assistance for any injuries. Then, contact the police. If possible, try to get the license plate number or the make and model of the car. Do not chase the other driver.
Several types of insurance may help pay for hit-and-run costs, including collision insurance, uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) insurance, uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI) insurance, personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, and medical payments (Med Pay) insurance.
If you don't have collision or UMPD coverage, your car's physical damages won't be covered in a hit-and-run accident. Your only hope for compensation will be finding the driver who caused the accident.
Yes, a hit-and-run accident is likely to have an impact on your insurance rates, whether you are the at-fault driver or the victim. Even if you are considered not at fault, you may see an increase in your premium rate and lose any accident-free discounts.
If the at-fault driver is discovered, their liability insurance will cover the damage and injuries to the victim, their passengers, and the vehicle. The penalties for the at-fault driver are likely to be severe, including civil fines, points on their license, and possible criminal charges.
