Is a Hit-and-Run an at Fault Accident

Posted in Auto Insurance

You’ve just been in an accident and the driver who hit you speeds off or you come out of the grocery store to find your bumper smashed in, are either of these instances your fault? If you’re hurt or your vehicle is damaged by a hit-and-run, you can make a claim on your personal auto insurance policy. It is important to know that any claims made on your insurance is considered at fault unless it is a comprehensive claim.

However, it helps to know before an accident what protection your policy offers against a hit-and-run. In a majority of states, for accidents involving two or more drivers, the at-fault driver is the one who would have the liability and the responsibility to pay for damages caused in a car crash. The at-fault driver’s bodily injury (BI) liability insurance would be charged with covering the other driver’s medical expenses and their property damage liability would cover the other driver’s car repairs.

There are a number of states that are “no-fault” states because of their mandatory requirement of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. Those who have mandatory PIP, do not have to worry about another driver’s insurance because no matter who was at fault in the accident, each driver’s PIP will pay for their own medical expenses. If your state is not a mandatory PIP state, you can still acquire PIP insurance as an optional coverage.

There are several auto insurance coverage’s that may help pay for your expenses in the event of a hit-and-run. The following coverage’s may be required or optional, depending on your state. Each of these coverage’s have a limit, which is the maximum amount your policy will pay for a claim and you may have to pay-out-of-pocket for any expenses that exceed your coverage limits.

 

  1. Collision coverage helps pay to repair your vehicle if you hit another car (or another vehicle hits your car), regardless of fault. Collision coverage had a deductible which you’ll need to pay even if the accident wasn’t your fault.
  2. Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage helps pay for your medical bills and lost wages if you’re hit by a driver without insurance. This coverage typically does not have a deductible.
  3. Uninsured motorist property damage coverage helps pay for repairs to your car if its damaged by another driver without insurance. In some cases, it may help pay for damage after a hit-and-run. However, this coverage isn’t available in all states and in states it is available it does not cover hit-and-run accidents and typically has a deductible.
  4. Medical payments coverage may help pay for you or your passengers’ medical bills regardless of fault. This coverage generally doesn’t have a deductible but is not available in all states.
  5. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) helps pay for you and your passengers medical expenses regardless of fault. Again, PIP varies by state and if it is not mandatory in yours, you can acquire it as optional coverage.

Find out if you’re covered in the event of a hit-and-run by giving us a call at 877.986.6908. At ToInsure.Me we care about the safety of you and your family and can help you find the right carrier for the best rate.

 

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