I was struck by an uninsured motorist, and was captured on my dashcam. The other driver was unable to provide a driver’s license or proof of insurance, but I did obtain his phone number and took a photo of his license plate.
I contacted the police, and they told me this would be treated as a hit-and-run because he was unable to provide sufficient identifying information at the scene.
My insurance deductible is $2,500, and unfortunately, I do not have uninsured motorist property damage coverage. I’m now regretting that decision, especially after realizing that lowering my deductible by $1,000 and adding UMPD would have only cost about $40 more per month.
The uninsured driver offered to pay me cash for the repairs. While I do appreciate that he didn't drive off and that he contacted me afterward, I have serious doubts that he actually has the money to cover the damage. He couldn't even bother to get basic coverage.
Am I really out of $2500? There a chance I could get it back if the insurance company manages to collect?
Is there really nothing else I can do?
byu/ChildhoodFirm4941 inInsurance
Posted by ChildhoodFirm4941
2 Comments
have him pay you whatever he’s got, if he’s really going to do it. but yeah, there’s a good chance he’s not got a lot of money.
>Am I really out of $2500?
If you go through insurance. Yup.
>There a chance I could get it back if the insurance company manages to collect?
Nope. If you make a solo claim, insurance has nothing to do with this other guy.
Though I would first see if he can actually pay. Not having insurance doesn’t mean he doesn’t have money stashed somewhere or access to money. He might not have insurance because he’s hit a bunch of people, or has like 4 DUI’s, etc. There’s also no point for him to even offer to pay cash if he wasn’t willing and able; if he wasn’t able he would have just never contacted you.
If he can’t pay, you can take him to court, and get a judgement. Put a lien on any assets, so if he does something like sell the car he was driving, you’d have to be paid first.