Does Comprehensive Car Insurance Cover Hit and Runs?

Yes, your comprehensive car insurance policy may cover the damages sustained by your car due to a hit-and-run accident. However, you need to do a few necessary things to claim your compensation under a hit-and-run accident. Let’s take a look:

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What to do if you are Involved in a Hit and Run Accident?

Hit and Runs would be the last thing you would want to get involved in. Just like other road accidents, a hit-and-run accident is also unpredictable and can cause serious damage to your car. However, when it comes to hit-and-run accidents, getting compensation from the responsible driver can be pretty daunting if he/she runs away from the spot.

First things first, whenever you are involved in a hit-and-run accident and cannot find a trace of the responsible driver, make sure to do the following things:

Details of the Offender:

Since it's a hit-and-run accident, it's practically not possible to chase the offender to note down the details of the offender. However, you can try to note down the number of the offender’s car and its model.

Find any Witness:

To prove your case especially when you did not see the offender, you may need to find a witness to the accident. Try to find people who were present when the accident took place and note down their details if they are ready to testify about the accident.

Take Enough Photos:

Photographic evidence play a major role in helping you with easy claim settlement. Thus, make sure to click photos of the damages to your car as well as the accident spot. You can also look out for any security camera around to get video evidence of the accident.

File an FIR:

Next up, a hit-and-run accident also requires you to file a First Information Report. An FIR is a necessary document to raise a claim under your comprehensive insurance. Thus, make sure to visit the nearest police station and file an FIR. Also, do not forget to take a copy of the FIR with you.

Intimate your Insurer:

Last but not the least, do not forget to inform your insurance company about the accident. Make sure to inform them about the damages within the next 48 hours of the accident so that they can start the process of claim settlement.

You May Also Read: How to Claim Car Insurance for Own Damage?

Hit and Run Claim Under Comprehensive Car Insurance

Now that you know that your four-wheeler insurance policy can compensate for hit-and-run accidents, here is how you should raise a claim under one:

• Inform your insurer about the hit-and-run accident and the damages sustained by your car. Make sure to not hide any details about the accident from the insurer.
• Upon intimation, the insurer will send a surveyor to assess the damages sustained by your car.
• You will now have to submit all the required documents to the insurance company
• Your car will be sent to the network garage for repairs. Once the repairs are done, the insurance company will settle your claim with the garage.

Compensation Offered under Hit and Run Case

Hit and Run accident is a criminal offence, and the offender has to go through criminal proceedings in case the victim dies or is seriously injured. Moreover, the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 has also decided a fair compensation for the victims in a hit and run accidents.

For severely injured, the compensation is Rs.50,000 and for death, the compensation offered is Rs. 2,00,000.

In a Nutshell

Thus, comprehensive car insurance covers a hit and run accidents. It will pay for damages sustained by the insured car that are under its purview. Since we can never predict when such accidents can cost us a fortune, it's always a good choice to buy comprehensive car insurance beforehand. You can purchase an affordable comprehensive insurance plan of your choice in just 2 minutes at Policybazaar.com.