Does my auto insurance cover damage caused by an unidentified hit-and-run driver? (2024)

Collision coverage will pay a claim if you hit something, including your own car, but does auto insurance cover damage caused by a hit-and-run driver if you cannot identify them? This hit-and-run problem is a very serious risk that demands investigation, and full coverage auto insurance doesn’t typically cover when a driver hits you and runs away.

You need uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) motorist coverage to pay for hit-and-run accidents and damages. Keep reading to learn more about hit-and-run car insurance, how to file hit-and-run insurance claims, and where to get affordable auto insurance for uninsured motorist coverage.

How to Get Hit-and-Run Insurance Coverage

There are various auto insurance types to consider. Some types are mandatory, such as affordable liability auto insurance coverage, with a legal requirement to have this insurance under state law. Other insurance types are optional.

Additionally, you might want to consider having medical payments insurance because a hit-and-run accident may cause serious injuries and even fatalities.

Risk of a Hit-and-Run Accident

In some states, nearly one in three drivers do not have auto insurance. Mississippi is the worst example, with 29.4% of drivers uninsured, as reported in uninsured motorist statistics and facts. Michigan, Tennessee, New Mexico, and Washington are also very inadequately insured.

Read More:

• Cheap Mississippi Auto Insurance
• Cheap New Mexico Auto Insurance
• Cheap Washington Auto Insurance

This high number of uninsured drivers in many states makes convincing evidence of the need for optional uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

Hit-and-Run Accidents Increase

AAA reported that hit-and-run deaths hit a record high, averaging 682,000 each year since 2006. In the USA, over 2,000 people die in these accidents annually. This trend was increasing about 7% year-over-year before the pandemic and is increasing again, even after a momentary decrease during the lockdowns for the pandemic.

The Causes of Hit-and-Run Accidents

When a pedestrian is hit and killed by an uninsured driver, the driver’s judgment may be so impaired that the trigger of the “fight or flight” response is so compelling that the person drives away to escape the consequences of what they have done. Criminals steal cars to enable crimes, so they have every reason to run if they get into an accident to avoid being caught by the police.

What happens if you get into an accident without insurance? The harsh penalties may give an incentive for people to drive off after an accident. Moreover, if a person is driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, the criminal charges are severe.

Everyone is worried about how a DUI affects your auto insurance rates. Having just a few drinks easily puts you over the legal alcohol limit in most states. Being intoxicated is one of the main causes of hit-and-run accidents.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage is Worth Having

Get uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage if you want to avoid the catastrophe of your auto insurance not covering damage caused by a hit-and-run driver if you cannot identify them. Find affordable instant auto insurance quotes for uninsured motorist coverage by entering your ZIP code below.