A hit-and-run can leave an injured person facing medical costs and vehicle damage without a responsible driver in sight. That hardship may grow when police identify the motorist, only to learn that the driver carries minimum insurance.
If a fleeing or minimally insured driver hit you, your coverage may provide relief. This overview can help you preserve your claim before you give a statement or sign a release.
Which parts of your policy could cover the loss?
In Massachusetts, an unknown hit-and-run motorist is treated as uninsured. The state generally requires uninsured motorist (UM) coverage to start at $25,000 per person and $50,000 per crash. Underinsured motorist (UIM) protection and collision insurance are optional. Available insurance claims may include:
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): It provides up to $8,000 in combined benefits for medical care, replacement services and 75% of lost wages, regardless of fault. Health insurance rules can affect how your bills get paid.
- Uninsured motorist coverage: UM can address bodily injury caused by an unknown driver. It may include medical expenses, lost income and pain and suffering, subject to the policy.
- Underinsured motorist coverage: UIM can apply when a known driver’s liability limits fall short. A $100,000 UIM limit could provide up to $75,000 when the other driver has a $25,000 liability limit, depending on your damages and policy terms.
- Collision coverage: This optional benefit generally pays for repairs to your car, less the deductible. PIP and bodily injury UM coverage often do not repair the vehicle.
These benefits often operate separately, so review the declarations page and endorsements.
Why does your insurer become the opposing side?
A UM or UIM claim may ask your carrier to pay damages another motorist should have covered. The adjuster can investigate fault, the cause and injury value, even though you paid premiums to that company.
State law also generally prevents stacking limits from several vehicles or policies. The highest limit could control, while the other driver’s payment usually reduces UIM benefits.
A careful policy review can protect your recovery
Report the collision to police and your carrier promptly. Keep photographs, witness details, treatment records and insurer letters because they can support the claim and satisfy notice rules.
Your insurer’s goals may differ from yours once you request payment. An attorney can identify available limits and contest a low offer. If a driver fled, was uninsured or carried little insurance, contact our firm for a review that may uncover coverage before you sign away benefits.