How does Erie handle claims involving hit-and-run accidents? (2024)

Erie handles claims involving hit-and-run accidents like any other car insurance claim if you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. In many ways, you need the same kind of documentation you need to file a car insurance claim with Erie.

Read More: Does car insurance cover damage from a hit and run?

The steps are similar as well — you report the incident, the company does an investigation, and you get reimbursed to cover the cost of repairing your vehicle. Learn how to correctly handle a car accident after a hit-and-run below.

How Erie Handles Claims Involving Hit-and-Run Accidents

When another vehicle hits yours and takes off, you can file a claim with Erie as you would with a normal collision. Erie performs an investigation to gather evidence regarding what happened. Once the company has the information it needs and you have an estimate for repairs, it gives you money to pay for fixing the damage.

For instance, some may claim they were the victim of a hit-and-run to get pre-existing damage repaired and paid for. To prevent being the victim of fraud, Erie may check your social media accounts for posts that may indicate inaccuracies in the claim. Erie may also perform a forensic analysis at the scene of the accident to verify the information you provide.

Understanding What Erie Coverage Pays for Claims Involving Hit-and-Run Accidents

To have your repairs covered after a hit-and-run accident, you’ll need to have either uninsured/underinsured coverage (UM/UIM) or collision coverage. If you’re like many people, you may already have collision coverage. For example, it’s common for collision insurance to be mandatory if you lease or finance your vehicle.

Uninsured motorist coverage pays for damages caused by a driver with no or inadequate insurance — this also applies to hit-and-run drivers. On the other hand, collision car insurance coverage may also pay if you don’t have uninsured motorist coverage, but it won’t help with medical bills.

Check out the table below to see how much you could pay for uninsured motorist coverage:

Car Insurance Monthly Rates for Rental Car Reimbursement Coverage by Provider

Read More:

• Best Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage Car Insurance Company
• Best Collision Coverage Car Insurance Company

If you don’t have collision coverage but have UM/UIM insurance, you should also be set after a hit-and-run. Be aware that your insurance may go up after a hit-and-run claim, especially if you have a significant number of prior claims. This is because claims history is one of the factors that affect car insurance rates.

How to Ensure Erie Accepts Your Hit-and-Run Insurance Claim

When it comes to making sure you get the payout you’d like after a hit-and-run, it helps to think like an adjuster. They need to know, to a reasonable extent, that the accident was a hit-and-run. And they need evidence to prove that.

While you probably already know how to file a car insurance claim, you should consider providing documentation, such as:

• Time-stamped photos of your vehicle immediately after the incident
• Other evidence, such as receipts from stores or a dining establishment showing you weren’t in the vehicle when the incident happened
• Photos of your vehicle before the incident occurred showing that there was no previous damage in the spot where it was hit

With this info in hand, your adjuster may feel more comfortable processing your claim as an authentic hit-and-run.

Read more: What documentation do I need to file a car insurance claim with Erie?

More About How Erie Handles Claims Involving Hit-and-Run Accidents

How does Erie handle claims involving hit-and-run accidents? The process of filing a claim with Erie can introduce a sense of calm. Be sure to gather as much evidence as you can immediately after the incident so you can present it to your Erie adjuster. If you have collision and/or underinsured/uninsured motorist car insurance coverage, you should be able to get your repairs paid for.