Should You Repair Hit And Run Damage Yourself?
Posted on: 5 November 2017
Getting involved in a car accident is physically and emotionally painful and taxing. Collision repair is expensive too. However, in a case of hit and run, or when the driver at fault hits you're your vehicle and then drove off without any trace of his identity, the stress level doubles. You have filed a police report and gathered evidence or a photo of the incident. Now, what? Do you shoulder the auto body repair costs for the hit and run damage?
With Collision Coverage
Regardless of the extent of damage to your car, it is important to report the incident to a collision reporting center. If there are witnesses, get their names and contact numbers. The police will give you a report number, and you should forward this to your insurance provider. When you become a proven victim of a hit and run, you claim could be paid under the collision section of your auto insurance policy. The collision repair cost is subject to your deductible. However, you should report the incident to the police within 24 hours and prove that you are not at fault in order to be covered under collision policy. Otherwise, your claim may be considered as a changeable loss.
Without Collision Coverage
If you don't have collision coverage on your auto insurance policy, you need to look for a potential witness. If the driver at fault can be identified, the auto body repair costs may be paid under the direct compensation under your auto insurance. Moreover, if you can prove through a witness that you are not at fault for the accident, your insurance premiums will not increase.
Uninsured Motorist Policy
Another way to stay protected from hit and run accidents is to have an uninsured motorist policy. More often than not, the driver at fault flees from the scene of the accident because of the lack the proper insurance to cover for collision repair. Having this policy saves you from the trouble from the Small Claims Court about the driver being uninsured. This coverage is also useful when you can't track the driver at fault or are not able to get the complete details from their license plate number.
Hence, to answer the question, you should not repair hit and run damage yourself. If you do so, you'll lose the opportunity for an insurance claim to cover for collision repair costs. Just file a police report and forward to your insurance company. Some insurance companies have preferred repair shops.
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