Hit And Run Claims
Christmas is a time when holiday shoppers are out in full force. Finding yourself among them is inevitable. After braving the aggravation of stop lights that hold on red for just a little too long and then jumping into a full parking lot, it can quickly turn from the most wonderful time of the year to the most frustrating.
Car Accidents
With all of that to contend with, it is also likely that you may one day encounter a hit-and-run during the holiday rush: the guy who knows full well that he dinged your door or crashed into your bumper and is now driving off haphazardly in an effort to avoid an insurance claim.
Maybe you get his license plate, maybe you don’t. Regardless, it’s a hassle you don’t want to deal with. And if you don’t have a full coverage insurance plan, then you will likely be left with out of pocket expenses.
One of your only remaining hopes is that you had the wherewithal to capture his license plate as he was leaving. Of course, there are no guarantees that someone who lacks the character to fess up to his mistake will even be covered by auto insurance at all. Still, go through the motions. Find out who he is and whether he has insurance. But don’t hold your breath.
Filing A Hit And Run Claim With Your Insurance Company
In order to avoid the stress that comes with reckless and careless drivers, you may have foreseen an accident of this nature and signed up for a comprehensive policy. If not, you may be paying for someone else’s mistake. But don’t go down without a fight. You have options to avoid the headache.
First of all, initiate restitution against the driver. This will require proof of the damage incurred and a police report, so if you’re going this route, make sure you initiate immediately. Taking the driver to Small Claims Court is another option that you have at your disposal.
While it may be gratifying to get the perpetrator in front of a judge, it will cost extra to file, and victory is not guaranteed. To help with your case, you may check with the location where the accident occurred and see if there is video surveillance footage, which can be used to prove your case. With that said, it’s a good idea to check with the location immediately after the accident, as some places erase footage after 24 hours.
If you do have full coverage or uninsured motorist coverage, then the entire process is easier to handle. Should the guilty driver have car insurance, then your company will go to bat for you in successfully pursuing the claim. You may have to ante up the deductible amount, but once the case has been closed, expect reimbursement.
In contrast, if the other driver is uninsured or you are unable to obtain a tag number, then you will be covered minus the amount of your deductible.
Without either full coverage or uninsured motorist, then you will have to wrestle with the decision of whether the damages are worth the repair. After all, you will have no recourse. The car insurance company will not reimburse you for the damages, and the full cost of repair will fall on you, unless you are somehow able to prove the driver’s guilt. But again, without a tag number or sufficient proof against him, holiday shopping will not be your only big expense.
Car Insurance Quotes
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