Does Car Insurance Cover Damage Caused By A Hit And Run?

So I've Been Hit. What Do I Do?

If you're the victim of a hit and run, it's frequently recommended to act quickly and take the following steps to protect yourself and ensure that any potential insurance claim goes as smoothly as possible:

• Stay calm and assess the situation: Check for any injuries and ensure your safety before doing anything else. If anyone is injured, call emergency services immediately.
• Gather information: If possible, try to remember or note down any details about the other vehicle, such as the make, model, colour, or number plate. Witness statements or nearby CCTV footage can also be valuable.
• Report the incident to the police: In the UK, you’re legally required to report a hit and run to the police within 24 hours. Having a police report can help with your insurance claim and may increase your chances of identifying the responsible driver.
• Notify your insurance provider: Contact your insurer as soon as possible to report the incident and provide them with any details or evidence you have gathered.

Taking these steps could give you the best chance of successfully researching a hit and run incident, even if the driver responsible cannot be identified.

Will Comprehensive Car Insurance Cover You After A Hit And Run?

The level of cover you have might determine whether you’re financially protected after a hit and run. Comprehensive car insurance is the highest level of cover available in the UK and generally provides protection for a wide range of incidents, including damage caused by an unidentified driver.

Here’s how comprehensive insurance might help:

• Damage repair: Comprehensive policies typically cover damage to your vehicle, even if the other driver cannot be traced. Whether your car has minor scrapes or needs significant repairs, your insurance can step in to cover the costs.
• Excess payment: Whilst your insurance may pay for repairs, you’ll still need to pay the excess on your policy. Some insurers offer uninsured driver protection, which can help cover this excess if the hit and run driver cannot be found.
• No-claims discount: Depending on your policy, making a claim after a hit and run could affect your no-claims discount (NCD). If you have NCD protection, your discount may remain intact, but it’s always worth checking the specifics of your policy.

Comprehensive cover provides the most protection in these situations, but it’s commonly encouraged as a good idea to understand the terms of your policy to know exactly what you’re covered for.

Can Third-Party Insurance Help After A Hit And Run?

Third-party insurance is the minimum legal requirement for drivers in the UK. This type of cover only might protect you against damage or injury caused to other people, vehicles, or property, meaning it won’t cover the costs of repairing your own car.

If you have third-party insurance and are involved in a hit and run, you’ll need to cover the costs of any repairs yourself unless the other driver is identified and can be held liable. Without additional protection, you may face significant out-of-pocket expenses.

To improve your protection, consider upgrading your insurance to include comprehensive cover, which can provide financial assistance in the event of a hit and run.

What Is Uninsured Driver Protection, And How Can It Help?

Some car insurance policies include uninsured driver protection, which can be particularly useful in a hit and run situation. This type of cover might protect you financially if the person responsible for the accident is either uninsured or cannot be identified, as is often the case with hit and run incidents.

Here’s what uninsured driver protection can offer:

• Excess waiver: If it’s confirmed that the other driver is uninsured or cannot be traced, this cover might often waive your excess, meaning you won’t need to pay anything towards the cost of repairs.
• No impact on your no-claims discount: In many cases, uninsured driver protection ensures that your no-claims discount is not affected, even if you need to make a claim.
• Vehicle repair or replacement: Your insurer could cover the costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle, depending on the extent of the damage.

Uninsured driver protection can offer peace of mind and is a valuable addition to your policy, especially if you’re concerned about hit and run accidents.

Can The Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) Help After A Hit And Run?

If you’re the victim of a hit and run and the driver cannot be identified, the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) may be able to help. The MIB is a UK organisation that compensates victims of accidents caused by uninsured or untraceable drivers. If you’ve exhausted other options, you can submit a claim through the MIB to recover some of the costs.

Here’s how the MIB can assist:

• Vehicle damage: If your car is damaged in a hit and run and you cannot claim through your insurance or identify the other driver, the MIB may cover the costs of repairs or the vehicle’s market value if it’s written off.
• Personal injury: The MIB can also provide compensation if you’ve been injured in a hit and run. This can include covering medical expenses or loss of earnings owing to the injury.
• Claim requirements: You’ll need to provide evidence of the hit and run, such as a police report, and submit a formal claim to the MIB. The process can take time, but it offers a valuable safety net for those left without other avenues for compensation.

Whilst the MIB can be a useful resource, it’s always best to have comprehensive insurance or uninsured driver protection in place to avoid relying solely on this option.

Will A Hit And Run Affect Your No-Claims Discount?

One of the biggest concerns for drivers involved in any accident is how it might affect their no-claims discount (NCD). A hit and run can be particularly frustrating because you’re not at fault, yet your NCD could still be impacted if you need to make a claim.

Here’s what to expect regarding your no-claims discount after a hit and run:

• Standard policies: If you make a claim under a standard comprehensive policy, your NCD could be reduced, even if the hit and run driver is at fault and cannot be found.
• NCD protection: Some policies include NCD protection, which allows you to make one or two claims without losing your discount. If you have this protection, your NCD may remain intact after a hit and run.
• Uninsured driver protection: Policies that include uninsured driver protection often ensure that your NCD is not affected if the driver responsible for the accident cannot be identified.

If protecting your no-claims discount is important to you, consider adding NCD protection or uninsured driver cover to your policy.

How Can You Protect Yourself Against Hit And Run Incidents?

Whilst no one can predict when a hit and run might occur, there are steps you can take to minimise the financial impact and ensure you’re properly protected. Here are some tips to help safeguard yourself against the consequences of a hit and run:

• Choose comprehensive cover: Comprehensive car insurance provides the most protection and is your best defence against the financial fallout of a hit and run. Make sure your policy includes cover for uninsured drivers or damage caused by unknown individuals.
• Add uninsured driver protection: Consider adding uninsured driver protection to your policy if it’s not included. This may ensure that you’re covered for repairs and your excess is waived if the other driver cannot be traced.
• Use a dashcam: Installing a dashcam can provide valuable evidence in the event of a hit and run. The footage can help identify the other driver and support your claim with the police and your insurer.
• Park in well-lit areas: Hit and run incidents are more likely to occur when a vehicle is parked in a secluded or poorly lit area. Parking in well-lit, busier locations can help reduce the risk.

Taking these precautions can help you stay protected and ensure that you have the right cover in place in the unfortunate event of a hit and run.

How To Look for The Best Car Insurance With Hit And Run Protection

If you want to ensure you’re covered in the event of a hit and run, it’s important to choose the right car insurance policy. Not all policies offer the same level of protection, so comparing your options is suggested with confidence.

• Look for comprehensive cover: Ensure that the policy includes comprehensive cover, which is more likely to protect you in the event of a hit and run than third-party or third-party fire and theft insurance.
• Check for uninsured driver protection: Not all policies include this as standard, so make sure to check whether uninsured driver protection is offered or available as an add-on.
• Consider NCD protection: If preserving your no-claims discount is important, opt for a policy that offers NCD protection, particularly if you’re concerned about hit and run incidents.

By comparing policies and ensuring you have the right level of cover, you can drive with peace of mind, knowing that you’re protected against hit and run incidents.

Looking for the best car insurance that might protect you in the event of a hit and run? Compare quotes today and research a policy that offers the cover you need.

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