Hit And Run Accidents Insurance Coverage

Hit and Runs: What’s Covered by Insurance?

One of the most fundamental rules of auto insurance is that the person at fault for a car accident must pay for the damages. But what if that person flees the scene?

If you are unable to locate the driver who caused the accident, the costs may fall on your shoulders. Furthermore, being involved in a hit-and-run is more common than you may believe. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, hit-and-run accidents caused 7% of traffic fatalities (2,488), 17% of injuries (236,433), and 17% of property damage (529,836) in the United States in 2020.

So, what's the best way to proceed? Knowing what to do if you are involved in a hit-and-run situation can help you avoid the worst-case scenario. Furthermore, having adequate coverage can protect you from large repair bills and rate increases.

What to do after a hit-and-run

Getting into a car accident is frightening enough. However, if the car that hit you flees, it can exacerbate an already stressful situation.

Although emotions may be running high, keep your cool and follow these crucial steps:

  1. Never pursue a fleeing driver. It could be dangerous, and you could miss out on crucial witness information.
  2. If there are any injuries, dial 911 and seek medical attention.
  3. Make a note of all available information about the other driver, such as vehicle make and model, license plate number, direction of travel, and a description of the person's appearance.
  4. Locate any witnesses and collect their observations and information so that the police and your insurance company can contact them.
  5. Photograph your vehicle from various angles, as well as street signs and the surrounding area.
  6. Inquire with nearby businesses and homes about any cameras that may have captured footage of the accident.
  7. As soon as possible, file a police report. If you want police help determining who was at fault in a hit-and-run accident, you must report it.
  8. To begin the claims process, contact your insurer.
  9. Consider hiring a lawyer.

Will I be covered if someone hits me?

According to the Insurance Information Institute, being in an accident with a fleeing driver is similar to being in an accident with an uninsured driver. This means that some insured drivers are not protected.

Your auto insurance policy, however, will protect you if you have the proper coverage. If you have one or more of the following, you may be covered:

  • Collision Coverage: Regardless of who is at fault, collision coverage will help pay for vehicle damage.
  • Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM): If you don't have a collision policy, UM can help ensure you have coverage against an at-fault, uninsured motorist, or it can supplement your collision coverage. Depending on where you live, there are two types of UM coverage that may be offered together or separately:
    • UM Bodily Injury Coverage: If another driver is at fault, this coverage pays for your medical expenses as well as those of any injured passengers or pedestrians. It may also compensate for lost wages. If you have a collision policy, you may not need UM Bodily Injury coverage, though some states do.
    • UM Property Damage coverage: This may cover all or part of the damages to your vehicle if you are hit by an uninsured driver. However, this coverage is not available in all states, and some do not allow you to use it in hit-and-run accidents.
  • Medical Payments coverage: Also known as MedPay, is an optional coverage that can help pay medical bills for you and your passengers in the event of an accident, regardless of fault. It may also cover you if you are a pedestrian who is injured after being hit by a vehicle. MedPay is required in Maine and New Hampshire, but it is not available in all states.
  • Personal Injury Protection (PIP): PIP provides more comprehensive coverage than MedPay. Along with medical bills, PIP may cover lost wages and childcare costs while you recover, as well as funeral expenses if necessary. Some states require PIP, while others do not.

Will liability insurance protect me?

If you only have a liability policy, you will not be covered if you are involved in a hit-and-run accident. Liability coverage will help pay for another person's damages or medical bills if you are at fault in an accident. In either case, it will not cover your own expenses.

Other forms of protection

Crime victim compensation programs: While not insurance, some states provide crime victim compensation programs that may help you offset medical expenses.

Locate the other driver: If you have the other driver's license plate number, police may be able to assist you in locating the driver so you can file a claim.

What happens to my insurance rates after a hit-and-run accident?

If you have to file a claim due to a hit-and-run, several factors will determine whether your premium will increase.

As long as you file only one claim for an accident in which you were not at fault, your insurance rates are unlikely to rise. Make sure your insurer includes the phrase "not at fault" in the claim.

However, if this is the most recent of several claims you've filed in the last three to five years, you may face a rate increase — even if you weren't at fault.

“Miss-and-run” accidents

Assume another car swerved into your lane, collided with another vehicle, and then drove away. The car never actually made physical contact with your vehicle, so it wasn't a "hit and run." However, if you swerved to avoid the vehicle and ended up in a collision with another car, the end result is the same: There's no at-fault driver who can pay for damages and injuries, and you're left footing the bill — and possibly for more than one car.

This is referred to as a "miss and run" or "phantom" car crash. And, while proving these can be difficult, it is possible if enough evidence is gathered. Tire marks, witness statements, and camera footage can assist you in locating the driver and filing a claim for damages and injuries.

What if you caused a hit and run?

If you flee the scene of an accident, you may face criminal misdemeanor or felony charges, significant fines, jail time, and the loss or suspension of your driver's license. You may also face significant increases in your auto insurance rates or the cancellation of your policy.

If you have a hit-and-run conviction on your record, your insurance premium could nearly double, if not triple, depending on where you live.

Get your policy ready now

Do you have enough insurance to protect yourself in the event of a hit-and-run? Here are some things to think about right now:

  • Check your policy to ensure you have the necessary coverage. Consider purchasing collision coverage, uninsured motorist coverage, medical payments coverage, or personal injury protection, or a combination of these coverage types.
  • Remember: If you are carrying only liability coverage, you would not be protected from a hit-and-run driver.
  • Consider your risk tolerance and how much you are willing to pay out of pocket when determining the type and amount of coverage you require.
  • Start shopping around for quotes from different companies if your soon-to-expire policy includes a rate increase.