By Ryan Dedrick on April 28, 2021 in Claims
Whether you’re preparing yourself for the worst or if you’ve been a recent victim of a hit and run, we’re here to break down what you need to know about coverages and claims in the event of this trouble.
A hit and run is usually defined as “any accident where a vehicle hits a person, object or vehicle and the driver knowingly leaves the scene without providing their information.”
How to Handle Hit and Run Insurance Claims
With some advice from our parent company, Shelter Insurance, we’ll walk through how to handle hit and run insurance claims.
1. First and foremost, check yourself and any other passengers or nearby people for injuries.
2. Do not try to chase down the driver who hit you, instead make a mental (or physical) note of as many details about the vehicle as possible. Try to remember things like car color or model, license plate information, the direction they left, and details about the driver’s appearance.
3. Make sure you’re in a safe location and turn on hazards to warn other drivers of your vehicle.
4. Call 9-1-1. Based on the description of your situation, they’ll let you know if they will dispatch police or if you should call the police station to file a report.
5. Take photos of any damage to your vehicle to share with your adjuster.
6. If there were any witnesses, be sure to record their name, address, and phone number.
7. Towing – don’t forget about this important element. If your car is not drivable, reach out to a towing company and be sure to remove all your valuables before they take your car.
8. Remember, if you have questions or concerns our team is here for you. Give us a ring at 1-800-225-5729, and we’ll be there to help you along the way.
Overall, you’ll want to handle the claim by filing in your My Say account. Then, your adjuster will look into your claim and call you with updates along the way.
Hit and Run Insurance Coverage
So, depending on where you live this situation can be handled differently and covered by different car insurance coverages. The main two are collision coverage and uninsured motorist coverage. This might come as a surprise because most no-fault accidents aren’t paid out under your collision deductible but hit and runs are unique situations.
Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage is for injuries only, not damage to your vehicle. For damage to your vehicle to be covered, you need uninsured motorist property damage or collision, but some states don’t require you to have these coverages.
So, in terms of coverage, it can vary based on your specific situation, coverages, limits, and more. Just be sure to communicate with your adjuster in order to stay informed throughout the process.
Does Liability Insurance Cover a Hit and Run?
Contrary to popular belief, liability insurance typically isn’t used to cover a hit and run. The main reason for this is that liability car insurance can be used to help pay for any injuries and damages you caused to other people and their property. In the case of a hit and run, you weren’t at-fault.
An example of when this coverage would be used is if you accidentally back into your neighbor’s vehicle in a hurry on your way to work. The property damage liability coverage could help pay for the damages, up to your limit.
Will A Hit and Run Claim Raise My Insurance?
Generally, car accidents can stay on your insurance record for about 3 years. As we previously mentioned, hit and runs are a different breed of car accidents, but accidents may stay on your record whether or not you caused them. If the accident causes a raise in your premium it's considered an accident surcharge, stay on the lookout for those!
Conclusion
Hit and runs aren’t ideal and can be a shock for anyone. However, if you find yourself the victim of a hit and run, stay calm and follow these steps to insure you handle everything to the best of your ability.