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Hit-and-Run in Miami: Finding Coverage When the Driver Fled
The driver who hit you is gone. Your claim isn't — most Miami hit-and-run victims are paid through coverage they already own and don't know about.
Document the fleeing vehicle fast — your notes are what unlock the claim.
First hour: report and capture
Call 911 immediately. A prompt Miami police report is usually required for hit-and-run insurance claims — some policies demand notification within 24 hours.
Write down everything about the fleeing vehicle: color, make, partial plate, direction, damage. Voice-memo it while fresh.
Canvass for cameras and witnesses. Doorbell cams, dashcams, and storefront cameras around the scene overwrite footage within days — ask now.
Who pays when there's no one to bill
Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage — treats the phantom driver as uninsured. This is the primary path for hit-and-run injury claims in Florida.
Collision coverage — fixes your car (minus deductible) without identifying the driver.
PIP — Florida's no-fault coverage pays your initial medical bills regardless of who fled.
Med-pay — small no-fault medical coverage if you carry it.
A UM claim is still a negotiation with an insurer — your own — and they dispute these claims like any other. Document injuries the same way you would against an at-fault driver, and know the lawsuit deadline (generally 2 years in Florida) still applies.
If the driver is found
Leaving the scene of an injury crash is a crime in Florida. A criminal case helps your civil claim — get the case number from the Miami police and pass it to your insurer or attorney.
Frequently asked questions
Does insurance cover hit-and-run in Florida?
Yes, through your own policy: uninsured motorist coverage for injuries, collision coverage for vehicle damage, and PIP for initial medical bills. A police report filed promptly is typically required.
Will a hit-and-run claim raise my rates?
Claims paid under UM coverage for a crash that wasn't your fault generally shouldn't be surcharged in most states, but practices vary by insurer — ask before assuming.
What if I only have liability coverage?
Liability-only policies don't cover your own vehicle or injuries from a hit-and-run unless you carry UM. If the driver is later identified, you can claim against them directly — one reason the police report matters.