Insurance won’t cover unidentified hit-and-run!

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Reader’s question:

My mother got involved in a hit-and-run accident. Now her insurance won’t cover her because the driver of the car wasn’t identified. Can they do that?

-Sharon

I’m sorry to hear about that Sharon. How terrible!

I’m glad you asked this question, Sharon, because this is a typical example of why it’s so important to research auto insurance on-line before signing up for a policy.

When it comes to unidentified drivers, coverage entirely depends on the company. For example, when I sent Sharon a follow-up email, she told me that her mother was insured with Allstate. At Allstate, uninsured motorist coverage only includes motorists who identify themselves before they leave the scene. Any unidentified hit and runs are covered under Allstate’s collision insurance, but not under their uninsured coverage. Since your mother only had liability insurance and uninsured motorist insurance, she is going to be financially responsible for the damage to her car.

On the other hand, Sharon, if your mother had gone with Farmers Insurance Group, things would be entirely different. FIG’s uninsured driver policy includes both those who identify themselves and those who flee the scene. If she had gone with FIG, she would have been covered.

I’m not saying FIG is better, or Allstate is better. I’m saying it pays to research auto insurance on-line before committing to a policy. There are so many loopholes and fine print, it’s easy to fall through the cracks. Next time your mother purchases any auto insurance on-line, makes sure she reads her policy carefully!

GLJ