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Hit-and-run drivers aren’t the most responsible people in the world, and they can leave you with a massive medical bill. In a typical accident, those bills could be handled by the other driver’s insurance company. But if there’s no other insurance company to contact, who’s in charge of paying for your expenses? Here, we’ll take a look at how your car insurance might be able to cover a hit and run or if you’ll have to pay for everything yourself.

Will my car insurance cover a hit-and-run?

Usually, UM/UIM insurance is used for drivers that hit you and don’t have enough insurance to cover your medical expenses. However, hit-and-run drivers can also be covered under the “uninsured” portion of the coverage.

Think about it: If someone hits you and speeds off, you don’t have any way of contacting their insurance company. So, there’s no one to help you pay for your medical bills and other expenses resulting from the accident. That sounds a lot like an uninsured motorist, who also won’t have any insurance info to give you or your auto insurance company.

It’s important to note, though, that UM/UIM coverage isn’t the same as your collision and comprehensive car insurance. Those coverages work a little differently.

Will my collision or comprehensive insurance cover a hit-and-run?

Collision insurance is typically used to cover the damages to your car in the event of an accident, whether you’re found to be at-fault or not. So, if you’re the victim of a hit-and-run, you may be able to get the damages repaired under this coverage even if the other driver is long gone.

Comprehensive coverage is usually used for if something else damages your car besides another driver. Namely:

• Fire
• Theft
• Vandalism
• Most natural disasters
• Animal
• Falling trees

Technically, another driver that doesn’t have insurance won’t fall into the category of what comprehensive insurance covers. So, a hit-and-run driver probably isn’t covered by that either.

Pro Tip: Georgia doesn’t require collision and comprehensive coverage, which can help cover your car in an accident. However, you may have been required to get this coverage to get a car loan. So, check your policy.

So, what do I do if I was in a hit-and-run-accident?

Don’t leave the scene.

Even if the other driver sped off, don’t leave the scene. The position and location of your car could be important to the police report or your insurance claim later. If staying in the same spot as the accident is dangerous or will block traffic, try to pull into a safer place like a parking lot, a road shoulder, or a turn lane while you call the police.

Call the police.

Even if the damages or the injuries were minor, responders still recommend calling 911. The operator can tell you whether or not it’s an emergency situation or if they will just send an officer to the scene. Regardless of the response, it never hurts to have an officer respond and to have a police report to file with your insurance claim.

Pro Tip: If you see a hit-and-run, and you can’t stop to be a witness, call 311. The 311 operator can then either transfer you or give you the number for your local traffic non-emergency line.

Take pictures.

When it’s safe to do so, it’s vital to take pictures (or even video) of the damages and any injuries you may have. It’ll help you file a more accurate insurance claim and get the proper payout or reimbursement. Make sure the footage and photos are kept somewhere safe and secure, like an external hard drive or a cloud service like Google or iCloud for easy reference.

Gather information from witnesses.

If there are any witnesses that are willing to stick around until the police come, write down or record their account of the incident. Also, write down their names and best contact numbers in case your insurance carrier, the police, or your lawyers need a second-hand account.

Keep a record of your medical expenses and treatments.

If you notice any bumps, bruises, broken bones, aches, or pains within 2-3 weeks of the accident, be sure to document any medical treatments, medications, or physical therapy costs you have as a result of the injury. Keep track of how the injury affects your state of living as well. This can help your auto insurance more accurately pay for the results of the accident.

Get a property damage evaluation.

An insurance adjuster may come to evaluate the damage to your car. If you disagree with their repair cost estimate, feel free to get a second opinion from a repair shop or a mechanic that you trust.

Make sure that you have UM/UIM coverage BEFORE the accident.

Overall, you’ll want to consider UM/UIM coverage before you’re involved in a hit-and-run. That way, you can rest easy when you drive, even if someone were to hit you. Make sure the coverage limits fit the value of your car and any injuries you might have so that your car insurance can work for you, not against you.

We know how important it is to have the right car insurance coverage to fit your needs and your situation. We also know that it’s not fun to spend a fortune on your coverage. So, give our insurance professionals a call. We’ll help you find the best rates on the auto insurance you need. All you have to do is give us a call or fill out our online form to make sure you’re not missing out on the rates and coverage you deserve.

A car accident can be a scary ordeal for everyone involved…except if someone planned it. Staged accident fraud, unfortunately, happens more than you would think. In fact, it’s estimated that staged accident fraud costs the insurance industry over $20 billion a year. So, how can you tell if someone has staged an accident or if it was just a mistake? Let’s take a look.

How do I know if someone tried to cause an accident?

There are actually a few tell-tale signs that a driver was trying to cause an accident. If you remember any of these signs, you may have been a victim of one of three of the most common types of accident fraud:

1. The Drive Down

Let’s say that you’re trying to merge into the next lane, and the driver behind you motions over or slows down to let you into the lane. However, when you start merging, that car speeds up and hits you. When the police arrive, the other driver denies ever giving you a signal to move over.

2. The Swoop & Squat

This is a staged accident scenario that involves two drivers – one that rides beside you (let’s call them Driver B) and one that swoops in front of you (we’ll call them Driver A). Driver A will drive behind Driver B while Driver B pulls ahead. This allows Driver A to “swoop” in front of you. Driver B then slows down to drive beside you. Driver A will then slam on their brakes. Since Driver B is blocking your ability to swerve out of the way, you’ll more than likely rear-end Driver A.

Accidents like this can be especially bad for you because the drivers and passengers of both cars could testify that you were at fault. If no other witnesses stuck around, you’ll probably have trouble convincing the police and your car insurance carrier that you weren’t responsible for the event. Passengers in the other vehicles could then file bogus injury claims. These claims could drive up your insurance rates at best, and leave you to pay the fraudsters out-of-pocket at worst.

3. The T-Bone

This one is simple but sometimes effective. Another driver waits until you’re crossing an intersection and T-bones your car. When the police arrive, the other driver and several other planted “witnesses” say that you ran a red light or a stop sign.

How can I protect myself from staged car accidents?

The tactics that a fraudster may use may be smart, but here are some ways to be smarter if you’re in an accident:

1. Call the police immediately.

Don’t settle the matter on-site with cash, and don’t admit fault. It may be a reflex to try to apologize to the other driver, but try not to say anything that can be taken as you admitting fault. Wait for a lawyer, court, or your insurance company to determine who is responsible.

2. Photograph or video as soon as you can after the accident.

This can be especially helpful with the last fraud technique if you can take a photo that proves you had the right of way. However, this is a good idea to do when you’re involved in any accident, staged or not. Take pictures or videos of both cars, passengers involved, any damages, etc. Be as detailed as you can. You never know what important information could be revealed in a photo later.

3. Take detailed notes

If possible, take detailed notes of the incident. Take down first and last names, VINs, phone numbers, license plate numbers, the name and phone number of the driver’s insurance company, auto policy numbers, and the year, make, and model of both cars involved. Note: This is the ONLY information another driver should need from you as well. Giving any other information could be used to steal your identity. So, keep your information safe!

Also, write down your detailed account of what happened. Memory can sometimes play tricks on you. So, having a first-impressions account of what happened can help you stick to the story of what happened instead of saying something that could be misconstrued or misremembered later.

4. Drive defensively

Don’t tailgate and be mindful of the actions of other drivers on the road. Look for any odd or erratic driving behaviors. If you don’t feel comfortable driving behind or next to another driver, don’t be afraid to change lanes or take another route.

Hopefully, these tips can make you more aware of when you’ve been in a staged accident. These incidents don’t just affect the people involved. It also contributes to insurance rates rising by an average $100 to $300 per year. So, knowing the signs and taking the proper measures after an accident can help you in filing a car insurance claim, and it can help your rates in the future.

We can also help you find lower rates when you’re getting car insurance. Our insurance professionals know exactly how to get the coverage you need for an affordable rate to fit your situation. To make sure you’re not missing out on these great rates, just call us or fill out our online form to start getting free quotes on car insurance.

You may think that shopping for car insurance is easy enough to do on your own. If you have the right information, why not just go straight to a car insurance company? Well, there are actually tons of benefits that you may be missing out on if you go straight to a car insurance carrier. Here are 5 of the biggest advantages of working with a car insurance agency vs. a car insurance carrier.

What is the difference between a car insurance carrier and a car insurance agency?

For a client, the main difference between a carrier and an agency is the ability to choose different options. A carrier is an insurance company that will directly write and pay out a car insurance claim for only their products. An agency or insurance broker is a company made of a group of agents, or people who represent a carrier.

This is where the term “agent” can get confusing. There are captive/direct agents who work with only one carrier and independent agents who work with multiple carriers. If you use a direct agent to get car insurance, you’ll only be able to compare that particular carrier’s insurance plans. However, if you work with an independent agency, their agents can connect you with and write policies for multiple carriers. That way, you can work with someone who can help you compare different features for different plans across multiple companies.

In this way, independent agents can focus more on the client’s needs and saving the client money than direct carrier agents who are more focused on selling their company’s product. There are also other specific benefits to using an independent insurance agency or broker.

They can explain the process easily.

If you go directly to a car insurance carrier, they may start throwing terms at you that sound unfamiliar because they’re specific to that company. This may only give you a vague idea of what their policy covers. So, you may end up getting a type of coverage, limit, or rate that doesn’t quite make sense for your situation.

However, an independent agent that works with multiple carriers knows the lingo of all the different insurance companies they work with. That way, when they shop for your rates, they know which coverages are a true toe to toe comparison, no matter what each carrier calls it.

For example, one carrier may recommend umbrella insurance to help you cover costs that your regular car insurance may not. Another carrier may call this same type of insurance “excess liability.”  Another insurance carrier may add this coverage on as a rider. An independent agent will be able to truly determine if these types of insurance policies are the same and get you the best rate on what you need.

They know the exact type of policy you need.

Anyone can spit out a quote for your insurance policy if you provide surface level information. However, independent agents can dive deeper into your needs, your history, and your present situation to give you quotes on the insurance that fits your unique needs. That way, you pay for only the coverages you need and not a generalized plan generated by a computer.

They’ll take a more personal approach to your policy.

Let’s say you go through a significant life change like getting married or getting a car for your teenager. If you’ve worked directly with a carrier to get your car insurance plan, you may not talk to that specific agent again to solve an issue. You may start dealing with an automated phone system and customer service representatives who can only refer to computer notes.

If you work with an insurance agency, the agent you work with can help you manage your policy from the first call onward. They’ll understand the ins and outs of your changed situation. That way, they can work directly with you to alter your plan and still potentially save you money.

Additionally, if you have any issues with your policy, you know that there’s someone you can speak with directly – someone who already personally knows you and the history of your insurance plan. So, the independent agent can pinpoint the issue more easily than an automated system or a customer service representative who hasn’t worked with you from the beginning.

They can work with special situations.

Sometimes, major insurance companies will determine that a client or multiple clients in an area are too risky to insure. For example, you may have trouble finding affordable insurance if you have a spotty driving record, even if the reports were from years ago but are not quite off of your driving record. You may also struggle to find good rates on car insurance if you live in a coastal area or in an area that has a high crime score. Major carriers may also deny you coverage if your car is extremely expensive or if you’ve ever been non-renewed. These types of situations are considered “high-risk” for insurance companies, and they may reject or drop you from your car insurance because of cases like these.

So, while you may want to find an auto insurance carrier you’ve heard about through a commercial or word-of-mouth, but they may refuse to write your car insurance policy, or they’ll offer it to you at a higher rate.

However, if you work with independent agents, they’ll be able to use their industry knowledge to work with special carriers that will work with your unique situation. They’ll know about insurance companies that are willing to write policies for “high-risk” drivers. Plus, connections may allow them to, again, get you a better rate.

They can advise you on the discounts that are best for you.

You may know about discounts like bundling, combining policies if you’re married, multi-car discounts, etc. However, because a direct agent only has their company’s product as a point of reference, they may only recommend these options because they’re the cheapest for that carrier.

An independent agent can compare coverages across multiple insurance companies and may determine that it’s best to keep you and your spouse’s policies separate, or that it’s best not to bundle, or that you might be better off insuring different things with different carriers entirely. An independent agent can work with a much wider range of carriers to get you the most affordable options, regardless of your situation.

These are only some of the main ways you can benefit from working with an independent insurance agency like ours. To find out about the many other perks of working with our agents, just give us a call! Our agency has decades of combined experience under our belts and numerous relationships with trusted carriers. That way, we can get to know your specific situation and shop tons of options to get you unique coverage for the rates you need. Make sure you’re not missing out on the best car insurance at the best rates by filling out our online form today!