What to do when the driver who hit you has no insurance
A licensed auto insurance professional's view
Repair and medical bills can feel impossible to pay when you learn the other driver carries no insurance. Start by confirming what has been proven so far. A missing insurance card alone doesn’t prove there’s no policy. Tell your insurer who the driver is. Pass along the vehicle details and the police report number too. If an insurer for the other driver denied coverage in writing, send that as well. [1, 2]
See what your policy can cover
Uninsured motorist coverage may pay for injuries, damage to your car or both. It hinges on the coverage you picked and where you live. Its injury portion and its property portion can each come with their own limits and rules. Even without uninsured motorist property coverage, your collision coverage may still pay for your car. Medical payments or personal injury protection may help pay certain treatment bills before anyone decides who was at fault. [1, 2]
Build your claim file
Report the crash to your own insurer without delay. Hold on to photos, witness contact details, repair estimates, medical records and proof of what you spent. Ask your insurer what it has to show about who was at fault and whether the other driver had insurance. Filing with your own insurer for uninsured motorist benefits can still mean an investigation and disagreements over how much is owed. [1, 2]
Prepare for costs that aren't covered
Find out about deductibles, limits and any costs outside your coverage. If no auto coverage applies, your health insurance may help pay for treatment. Going after the driver personally for payment is a separate legal question. It may not help with a bill that’s due now. If your losses are large, get local advice. [1, 2]
Coverage questions for your insurer
- Does my policy include uninsured motorist coverage for injury and for property?
- What deductible and which limits apply to me?
- What proof do you need about the other driver’s insurance status?
Ask for your declarations page
Request your declarations page, which sums up your policy. Also ask for a written list of the coverages opened for this crash. [2]
Sources and further reading
- 1Washington insurance commissioner, uninsured driver guidance
- 2Texas Department of Insurance, uninsured motorist coverage
For general learning only, written from an auto insurance view. Rules for uninsured motorist claims differ by state and policy. So do proof requirements, deductibles and who is covered.
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