How to Make an Insurance Claim After a Hit and Run Accident

A hit and run accident occurs when someone hits your vehicle and flees the scene. I've never been involved with one, but I was once pulled over by a police officer because my vehicle resembled the car with which someone else had committed a hit and run. The officer told me they have to be aggressive in the first half-hour in that type of situation because, beyond that, the chances of finding the offending driver become nonexistent.

This is why it is unreasonable to assume that, if you are a victim of a hit and run accident, you'll be able to chase after the other car and obtain some sort of identifying information. Accidents happen very quickly, and attempting to chase down the other driver yourself is dangerous. A much better solution is to begin recording as much information as possible about what happened so you can make an insurance claim.

Proving a Hit and Run Accident

According to Insure.com, the first thing you should do after a hit and run accident is gather evidence about what happened. Your insurance company won't process the claim unless you are able to prove, to their satisfaction, that you were actually hit by another car.

While this might seem unfair, it makes sense from a corporate standpoint. The insurance company doesn't want to pay on fraudulent claims where a driver hits a lamp post and pins the deed on some nebulous phantom hit and run dirtbag.

Insure.com recommends photographing paint transfer from the hit and run driver's car to your own. This suggests that your vehicle came into contact with another vehicle, which rules out the lamp post theory. Another way to prove your case is to find an independent witness (another motorist or a pedestrian, for example) who can testify that you were, in fact, the victim of a hit and run accident.

Calling the Police

Never attempt to make an insurance claim after a hit and run accident without first calling the police. Your insurance agent will want to see the police report and verify your claim with what was said and observed on-scene. Additionally, even if it is unlikely, you want to give the cops a chance to find the offending driver so you (and by extension, your insurance company) aren't stuck footing the bill.

Making the Insurance Claim

There are several ways to make an insurance claim for a hit and run accident, and the correct course of action depends on your insurance company and the laws of your state. If you have uninsured motorist coverage, for example, this is likely the part of your coverage that will cover the damages.

You'll have to first satisfy the deductible on your insurance policy. For example, my deductible is $500. If I was involved in a hit and run accident that caused $2,000 worth of damage, my insurance company would pay $1,500 and I would be responsible for the rest.

Of course, if you are later able to identify the other driver, you can report that information to the insurance company. They can sue that driver for the monies they paid out for your damages, and you can even sue to recover your deductible.

The most important thing is to talk to your agent one-on-one. Ask all your questions, and find out exactly how the investigative process works. Take pictures on the scene, obtain contact information for any witnesses, and get a copy of the police report. Absent finding the driver, that's all you can do.