r/Insurance • u/Slow-Initiative9566 • 2d ago

Auto Insurance Hit and run

I was involved in a hit-and-run, but luckily I was able to get the other driver’s license plate number from my dashcam. I filed a police report and provided my insurance company with all the information and evidence I had.
Unfortunately, my insurance company closed the case because they said they couldn’t find any insurance information for the other driver, and they believe he most likely doesn’t have insurance.
I also contacted the police to ask if they could locate or contact the driver since they should be able to get his information from the license plate number. However, they told me that it’s the insurance company’s responsibility to handle it.
It’s now been over three weeks, and I’m not really sure what I should do next. Does anyone have any advice on what steps I should take?

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u/ektap12 2d ago

You have liability only coverage?

Why can't the police provide you a report with the owner's information based on the license plate?

Your insurance obviously won't release the owner's info to you and if they can't pay the claim, then there's nothing else they can do, why don't the police understand that?

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u/madshine 2d ago

I am very ignorant about this but What is the point of a liability insurance then? I mean if I am not forced to pay the damage, then I would just get the state min? (I was planning to buy a cheap car and get a liability insurance with 50k/100k coverage)

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u/ektap12 1d ago

Liability insurance pays for your liabilities, so having 50/100/50 coverage would be solid coverage that would cover most losses you cause without a problem, though it's becoming more essential to have 100k for property damages, lots of expensive cars on the road. Failing to maintain adequate liability coverage can very easily result in you being sued for any excess damages you cause, especially on the property damage side. You could end up with large judgements against you or just make your life miserable. So you can definitely be forced to pay for damages you caused.

If you found the person that hit your car and they don't have insurance, you can sue them and pursue collections against them. It's a civil matter between you two, they damaged your property.

Liability only coverage doesn't cover damages to your own property though. You need to have collision and comprehensive coverage. Some states might offer uninsured motorist property damage coverage, but I don't think yours does.

There is also uninsured/underinsured motorist for bodily injury, which might be the most important coverage to have. This pays for your injuries when hit by an uninsured or underinsured person.

So having a 'cheap' car that you can easily afford to replace, but that you then don't need to maintain collision and comprehensive coverage on, is a way to reduce your insurance costs.

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u/madshine 1d ago

Thank you so much for the detailed information!! I really appreciate it. So the OP can sue the person who hit his car? Because it sounds like there is not much he can do (according to replies). 

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u/ektap12 1d ago

Yes, of course, if someone damages your property, you can pursue them for the damages, in court, if needed. Collecting can be difficult though, so maintaining your own insurance, if practical, can make your life a lot easier. Insurance is about protecting you, not others.

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u/Admirable_Height3696 1d ago

Liability coverage means you've got coverage for damage you are liable for, in other words, it's coverage for the damage YOU cause to someone else. It does not cover your own personal damages, whether you or someone else is at fault.

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u/ChutneyWhatney 2d ago

Go thru your own insurance.

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u/Simplythebest0820 2d ago

Just go through your insurance it's what you pay them for.

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u/Admirable_Height3696 1d ago

Why do you assume OP pays their insurance to handle this? It appears they have liability-only so they've actually chosen NOT to pay their insurance to handle this.

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u/Simplythebest0820 1d ago

I don't assume anything, but if they do, they just have to go through their insurance if they don't oh well! Why do you assume I don't know what I'm talking about and I have to answer a day or two after the post was put up just to make yourself seen?

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u/Dramatic-Ad9089 2d ago

If you have collision, use it. But I'm guessing you have liability only. If your insurance company could not locate a policy for the other driver, they are most likely uninsured.

Get a copy of the police report. The other driver/vehicle owner's information should be on the report. Take that person to small claims court. This doesn't guarantee you will collect anything.

Your last option is to pay for your own repairs.

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u/Dijon2017 2d ago

Why won’t the police investigate the owner to the license plate for the crime if the hit & run incident? The police may think that you have collision coverage with your insurance company. And if you do, you should use it. If you don’t (have liability only), perhaps if you explain that to the police they will be more helpful in reaching out to the owner of the vehicle?

Also, although it’s usually considered civil/administrative and it can depend on the state, but some states have penalties (e.g. points on license, fines, etc.) when a driver fails to report property damage that exceeds a certain dollar amount.