Getting into a car accident is stressful enough. Finding out the other driver doesn’t have insurance can make it feel even more overwhelming, especially once you start wondering who’s going to pay for your injuries, your car, and more. According to the Insurance Information Institute, 15.4% of motorists nationwide, more than one in seven drivers, were uninsured in 2023, with California estimated even higher at 20.4%.
Here’s what to know if you’re hit by an uninsured driver, and how uninsured motorist coverage may fit into the picture.
What Should I Do Right After Being Hit by an Uninsured Driver?
Your first priority in the moment is safety, followed by documentation, since that becomes especially important when there’s no insurance on the other side to fall back on. A few steps can make a real difference:
- Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone may be hurt: Getting medical attention comes before anything else.
- Ask for police to come to the scene: A police report can carry extra weight when the other driver is uninsured or the details are disputed.
- Exchange information anyway: Get the other driver’s name, license details, license plate, and vehicle information, even without proof of insurance.
- Take photos if it’s safe to do so: Capture the vehicles, damage, license plates, and the overall scene.
- Get witness contact information: Anyone who saw the crash could be helpful later.
- Notify your insurance company as soon as possible: They can explain what coverages may apply and get the claims process moving.
It’s also worth avoiding any roadside agreement where the other driver offers cash to skip reporting the accident. What looks minor in the moment can turn into a much bigger repair bill, or injuries that show up later.
How Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Help?
If the other driver caused the accident and doesn’t have insurance, uninsured motorist coverage is what’s designed to step in instead of leaving you to cover everything yourself. This coverage typically has two parts:
- Uninsured motorist bodily injury can help with medical expenses, lost wages, and other injury-related costs for you and your passengers
- Uninsured motorist property damage can help pay to repair your vehicle after a crash an uninsured driver caused.
Some policies also include a collision deductible waiver, which can reimburse or waive your deductible when an identified uninsured driver is responsible for the damage.
It’s worth keeping in mind that uninsured motorist coverage isn’t the same as collision coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage generally applies when the other driver is at fault and uninsured, while collision coverage can help with damage to your car regardless of fault, usually subject to a deductible.
What if I Don’t Have Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Without uninsured motorist coverage, your options narrow a bit. You may still be able to use collision coverage for damage to your car if you carry it, though you’d typically be responsible for the deductible either way. Health insurance can help with medical bills, but it usually won’t resolve every cost tied to the accident, especially lost wages or vehicle repairs.
It’s also worth remembering that these rules can vary by state and by policy. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is governed by state law and can differ depending on where you live, so it’s worth reviewing your own policy rather than assuming every uninsured-driver accident gets handled the same way.
Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Apply to Hit-and-Runs?
It’s a common assumption that a hit-and-run automatically falls under uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD), but that’s not always the case. Rules vary by state, but some insurers may need more information to verify the identity of the other driver or vehicle before UMPD kicks in, so a hit-and-run where nothing can be confirmed doesn’t always qualify the same way a known uninsured driver would.
That’s one more reason why reporting the accident quickly, getting a police report, and documenting as much as possible matters so much. In some cases, collision coverage ends up being what repairs your vehicle after a hit-and-run, even when the other driver is never found.
Talk to an Auto Insurance Specialist
Getting hit by an uninsured driver can create a financial mess fast, and it often exposes coverage gaps you didn’t know you had until you needed them. AIS Insurance can help. Our specialists can walk you through whether your policy includes uninsured motorist coverage, how it works alongside collision protection, and whether your limits still make sense for how you drive today.
With over 55 years of experience helping customers find reliable coverage, we’re ready to answer your questions. Call (888) 772-4247 or start a quote online today to review your options.
The information in this article is obtained from various sources and offered for educational purposes only. It should not replace the advice of a qualified professional. The definitions, terms, and coverage in a given policy may be different than those suggested here. No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.
