Will a Hit-and-Run Claim Raise My Insurance?

One of the most common questions car accident lawyers hear is, “Will a hit-and-run claim raise my insurance?” Hit-and-run victims are understandably hesitant to file a hit-and-run claim with their insurance company, especially if their policy does not provide hit-and-run accident compensation.

When another driver takes off after a crash and you’re unsure of what your next move should be, your best option is to consult a car accident lawyer for advice. A lawyer can review your car insurance policy, advise you of your compensation options, and help identify how a hit-and-run claim will impact your insurance rate.

Understanding Hit-and-Run Accidents and Insurance Implications

Hit-and-run accidents can bring unwanted insurance implications. It’s common to wonder, “Will a hit-and-run claim raise my insurance premium?”

As a general rule, any time you report an accident to your insurance company, there’s a chance of your rate increasing. Unfortunately, this tends to be true regardless of which driver caused the crash.

Insurance policies are usually written in dense technical language with fine print. It can be hard to clearly understand the implications of a policy’s terms without a background in insurance law. Consulting with a car accident lawyer — who can review the terms of your car insurance policy — can help you to understand how insurance coverage is determined with regard to the unique circumstances of your case.

Hit-and-Run Compensation Options

The primary benefit of reporting a hit-and-run accident to your insurance company is the opportunity to recover compensation for injuries or property damage. Whether you qualify for coverage through your own policy depends on the type of insurance you have and your policy terms. 

Insurance companies don’t offer hit-and-run insurance as a policy option. However, a few different types of coverage can be leveraged to pay for the damage sustained in a hit-and-run crash.

Recovering compensation from your auto insurance provider often requires having a car accident lawyer prepare a claim on your behalf.

Allowing a lawyer to prepare a claim on your behalf helps ensure it’s presented in such a manner that makes it hard for an insurance company to legally deny it.

Insurance Coverage Types

The three types of car insurance coverage that might offer compensation for costs associated with a hit-and-run are:

• Collision coverage under a comprehensive coverage policy
• Medical payments coverage
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage

Whether these are options for you can depend on both your state and the terms of your policy. For example, in Connecticut, both comprehensive collision coverage and medical payments coverage are optional insurance add-ons, while uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage is required for all Connecticut drivers.

What Can Influence Insurance Rates After a Claim?

It’s hard to predict exactly what will raise your insurance rates after a claim. While it’s true that any claim can potentially make your insurance premium insurance, this isn’t always the case.

Some of the factors most likely to result in an insurance rate increase after a claim include:

• Being the at-fault driver in a crash
• The seriousness of crash injuries
• Being the subject of a car accident injury lawsuit
• Filing multiple claims over a short period
• Driving-related criminal charges, such as driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol

While these are common reasons for insurance rates to increase, the implications for your premium depend on individual factors like your driving record and your auto insurance provider’s policies.

Many providers offer programs like accident forgiveness for long-standing customers who have maintained a clean driving record for a certain number of years.

Protecting Your Legal Rights

Deciding whether to file a claim for a hit-and-run accident often comes down to weighing the pros and cons of filing versus paying for the losses out of your own pocket.

A lawyer will review the extent of your injuries, vehicle damage, medical bills, and lost wages. Using this information, they can then review your insurance policy to determine how much coverage you might be eligible to obtain.

If your injuries were minor, reporting a hit-and-run might not bring much financial benefit in the form of medical bill reimbursement. If reporting the car accident causes an increase in your premium that causes you to lose more money than simply paying out of pocket for your medical costs, filing a claim might financially do you more harm than good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a Hit-and-Run Claim Raise My Insurance?

Reporting a hit-and-run accident won’t necessarily raise your insurance rates. You need to consult a car accident lawyer to get a better understanding of your policy terms.

How Do I Decide Whether to File a Hit-and-Run Claim?

Attending a free consultation with a car accident lawyer is how you get a clear idea of whether filing a hit-and-run claim will help or hurt your finances.

Should I Speak with My Auto Insurance Provider Before I Call a Lawyer?

You should always consult a car accident lawyer to learn about your options before you speak with an insurance agent.

Get Advice From a Connecticut Hit-and-Run Attorney Today

Are you still wondering, “Will a hit-and-run claim raise my insurance in Connecticut?” If so, the experienced Connecticut car accident lawyers at Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, P.C. can answer your questions.

Our team can review your insurance policy and advise you on the best way to move forward with a hit-and-run accident claim. Call us to schedule a free consultation with one of our Connecticut car accident lawyers today.