My car struck by a hit and run driver while parked, why should I have to pay a deductible?

Question

Here's the deal! My car was hit and by looking at the way the car is damaged, the police confirmed it was truely a hit and run and that I wasnt committing fraud! Now I have a $1000 collision deductible and really dont see why I have to pay that if I wasnt at fault! I spoke to a private insurance agent and he told me that they are able to claim it as uninsured/underinsured driver. So does this guy know what he's talkin about? I would love to save $1000 especially since it wasnt even my fault!

I understand how insurance companys work and the only reason my deductible is so high is because my parents set it at that back when they used to pay for it! Being 20 years old and a college student I never thought about lowerng the deductibles because i've never had anything like this happen to me! The only thing I was wondering is if there was any other claim i could make to sub for collision!

Answer 1

Here's the deal smittyboy; When you sign up for insurance you determine how much deductable you want. If you want a lower deductable you pay a higher preimum, which your insurance agent should have explained. The Ins. Co. can help IF, big if, you have information to help track down the hit and run vehicle. If they do track him/her down then YOUR Ins.Co. can sue their Inc. Co. or them,and I doubt they have ins, for the amount of your deductable in your behalf. That's how unsured/urderininsured works, and if you don't have it you pick up the entire cost of the repairs.

Answer 2

It depends what state you live in if you have to pay a deductible. Auto insurance is regulated by a state agency which determines to a great deal your rights in a situation like this. Sadly in most states, you are going be responsible to pay that deductible. But in others you wouldn't be. (While many others are badmouthing the insurance industry, they should be bashing legislators in their home state that regulate this practice.)

To defend the idea of paying your deductible that, think about the number of dishonest people out there who who say that every single time their car got a ding that it was parked when it happened. Also if you read your policy insurance is for "catastrophic losses" deductibles help cut down on frivolous minor claims.

This has happened to me before, and it def. is not fun. To try and recoup some of the losses I would primarily focus on your insurance agent, whoever sold you the policy. I would yell at them for not suggesting better coverage and threaten that if they cannot provide you a better rate and lower deductibles, (to help offset the losses from this accident) that you will take your business elsewhere. Again the insurance co. didn't hit your car, and they didn't make you keep that high deductible, instead of fighting with them focus on this person, if they have any spine they will see they did make an error when the wrote this policy for you.

On the upside, that private agent you talked to may be perfectly correct saying this falls under uninsured motorist, in some states it does, and in those states you keep your deductible.

I do hope it all works out in the end and you keep your 1,000 bucks. Either way lower those deductibles to what you can afford, its pretty cheap to do so.

Answer 3

The same thing happened to my brother. He wound up having to pay the deductible because he wasn't able to prove whether or not the hit and run driver had insurance. This is a nice little gift from the insurance companies that you only really find out about in this situation. I would recommend talking with your insurance agent and get more coverage for your car if you think that it might happen again.

It really depends alot on what kind of coverage you have and what your individual policy says. Ask to see your policy and where specifically it states that you have to pay the 1000 buck deductible for a hit and run.

Hope this helps! :-)

Answer 4

A deductible is the amount that you agree to self insure your vehicle for. Meaning that you agree too pay $1000 every time something happens to your vehicle regardless as to who is at fault. It's not a punishment from the Insurance Gods. It's the portion you agree to. If you want to pay less you pay a little more in premium. As far as your rates going up....I'm somewhat surprised. You were not at fault to the loss. YOur vehicle was parked at the time Most reputable insurance companies will not raise your rates for this alone. Now if this is the 3rd time this has happened then maybe but this by itself will rarely result in a rate increase. I would shop around for new insurance.

Answer 5

You don't have to pay anything. Since the accident wasn't your fault, you can find the person who hit you and have them pay the entire amount of the damages. However, if you can't find that person, and want to run it through your insurance company to have the repairs paid for, you will have to pay the amount you chose as the deductible when you signed up for insurance. No one made you choose a $1,000 deductible amount, that was your choice. Uninsured driver doesn't apply. Do you KNOW the person who hit you are ran off had NO insurance? Or not enough insurance?

Sorry, you want your insurance to pay for part of it, the first $1,000 is yours to pay.

Answer 6

Sucks doesnt it.
First, i would be trying to negotiate for a lower deductible. I only have a 100 dollar deductible. Ive never heard of anyone with a 1000 dollar. Of course ive had the same insurance company for almost 20 years and have had very few claims.
Regardless, its part of your insurance contract. That is what you agreed to when you signed up with them. If its in your policy then thats what you have to pay. If its not in there, then fight it.
Ive been there before-had uninsured people hit my car and i had to pay the deductible. Its just the way it is.

Answer 7

California, Wants to know
My car was parked in front of my house and someone hit and run my car with a dented front drivers sides, can this be claim as a uninsured vehicle or still responsible fo deductibe anywaysssssssssss which would be mess up

Answer 8

Check your coverage!

If you have Uninsured Motorist Propery Damage (it may have a lower deductible), then you can use that instead of collision.

Otherwise, you have to use the coverage that you selected; this includes collision. First, you pay your deductible to get your vehicle fixed. Behind the scenes, the insurance company will try to find that driver and get your $1000 back (it may be a long shot)...

Answer 9

is not a rip-off, you sign and pay for what you buy. if is a hit and run and no info about the other vehicle, then the only option is to use your "COLLISION COVERAGE" it has nothing to do who is at fault for an accident if you or the other person or if a pig ran into your car. COLLISION COVERAGE IS TO COVER FOR YOUR VEHICLE AND MOST OF THE TIME IS EITHER A $500 DEDUCTIBLE OR $1000 DEPENDING ON WHAT YOU OR YOUR PARENTS PURCHASED. SO YOU PAY $500 FOR THE DAMAGES AND THE INSURANCE PAYS THE REST.

Answer 10

If there is a deductible, someone has to pay it. Since you cannot locate who hit you, it is your responsibility. If the police had caught the other guy, he would have to put it on his insurance and pay his deductible.