Three Questions Every Hit-and-Run Victim Asks
1. “The other driver just left. Am I stuck paying for this myself?”
Not necessarily. If your policy includes uninsured motorist property damage coverage, this is specifically designed to address situations where the at-fault driver can’t be identified or located. Arrow Insurance Specialists regularly walks Glen Carbon drivers through this coverage, since a lot of people don’t realize they have it until they actually need it.
2. “What if I got a partial license plate or a description of the car?”
Any information helps, but a hit-and-run claim doesn’t require the other driver to be caught for your own coverage to respond. Collision coverage generally applies regardless of whether the at-fault party is identified, meaning your own policy can step in to cover repairs even if the other driver is never found.
3. “Do I need to file a police report even if the damage seems minor?”
Yes, and this matters more than people expect. Most insurers require a police report to process a hit-and-run claim, partly to establish that the incident actually occurred as described and partly because some coverage types specifically require it as a condition of payment.
What Actually Happens Behind the Scenes
Depending on your specific coverage, one of two things typically happens after a hit-and-run in Illinois:
- With uninsured motorist coverage: This coverage responds directly, since it’s specifically written to address situations where the at-fault driver can’t be held accountable
- Without uninsured motorist coverage: Collision coverage may still apply, though this typically comes with your standard deductible, unlike uninsured motorist claims which sometimes waive it
Why This Coverage Often Gets Overlooked
Many drivers assume liability coverage alone is enough, without realizing it only protects other people when you’re at fault, not you when someone else causes damage and disappears. This is exactly the kind of gap that becomes obvious only after an incident happens.
Making Sure You’re Actually Protected
If you’re not sure whether your policy includes uninsured motorist coverage, it’s worth checking before you need it, not after. Arrow Insurance Specialists can walk Glen Carbon drivers through exactly what their policy includes. Reach out through Arrow Insurance Specialists, Inc to review your coverage.
