Does uninsured motorist cover a hit and run?

Yes, uninsured motorist insurance (UM) covers hit-and-run accidents in most states. In states like California and Illinois, however, drivers cannot use uninsured motorist property damage coverage (UMPD) to repair or replace their vehicle if the at-fault driver is unidentified. In these instances, drivers must file a claim with their collision insurance, if they have it.

What Uninsured Motorist Insurance Covers in a Hit and Run

Your uninsured motorist bodily injury insurance (UMBI) will cover your injuries, while uninsured motorist property damage insurance may cover your vehicle damage, depending on your state, if you are struck by a driver who then flees the scene without providing their contact information.

Rules on using uninsured motorist property damage coverage (UMPD) for a hit and run can be stricter in order to prevent fraudulent claims, and UMPD is not even available in certain states. In addition to the states that do not allow UMPD to be used for a hit and run, some other states require the at-fault driver to have made contact with your car, as opposed to simply running you off the road or causing you to crash, for the accident to qualify for coverage.

States That Require Uninsured Motorist Coverage

There may be special rules for your UMPD deductible with a hit-and-run claim, depending on your state. For example, Oregon and Washington have higher UMPD deductibles for hit-and-run claims than for claims involving damage caused by an identified driver. Indiana, on the other hand, waives your UMPD deductible if your car was hit while empty and legally parked.

Even if your state doesn’t require you to carry uninsured motorist coverage, it’s still a good idea to consider adding it to your policy since around 14% of drivers in the U.S. are uninsured. The coverage can prevent you from paying out of pocket if you are in an accident with someone who doesn’t have insurance.

Benefits of Uninsured Motorist Coverage

• Replaces the at-fault driver’s liability insurance: If the at-fault driver is unknown, it’s up to your insurance to cover your medical bills and the damage to your vehicle.
• Offers a wide variety of coverage: Uninsured motorist insurance covers medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, funeral expenses, and damage to your vehicle and property (in most states).
• Can fill in coverage gaps: If you don’t have collision, PIP, or MedPay coverage on your policy, uninsured motorist insurance may pay for your medical bills and property damage, depending on your state.

To learn more, check out WalletHub’s guide to uninsured motorist coverage.