Florida Uninsured Motorist Claim Process After a Hit and Run

A hit-and-run crash turns your life upside down in seconds. The other driver speeds off, you're left with a damaged car and mounting medical bills, and now you have to figure out how to pay for everything. If this has happened to you in Florida, your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage may be the only path to fair compensation. Understanding the Florida uninsured motorist claim process after a hit and run can mean the difference between getting what you're owed and walking away empty-handed.

What Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Actually Cover in a Hit and Run?

Uninsured motorist coverage in Florida is an optional add-on to your auto insurance policy. It steps in when the at-fault driver either has no insurance or, in the case of a hit and run, cannot be identified. This coverage can pay for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages that result from the crash.

Florida law does not require drivers to carry UM coverage, but insurance companies are required to offer it. If you declined it in writing when you bought your policy, you may not have this protection. Check your declarations page or call your insurer to confirm whether you have UM coverage before you start the claims process.

Is a Hit and Run Treated as an Uninsured Motorist Claim in Florida?

Yes. Under Florida Statute §627.727, a hit-and-run accident where the at-fault driver is unidentified qualifies as an uninsured motorist event. This means your own UM policy is designed to cover your losses in exactly this kind of situation.

There is one important condition: you generally need to show that physical contact occurred between your vehicle and the hit-and-run vehicle (or that there is corroborating evidence of the accident). This requirement exists to prevent fraudulent claims. A police report, witness statements, dashcam footage, or surveillance video can all serve as evidence.

What Steps Should I Take Right After a Hit and Run?

The actions you take in the hours and days after a hit and run directly affect your ability to file a successful UM claim. Here's what to do:

Call 911 immediately. Report the accident and get a police report on record. This document is critical for your claim.
Get medical attention. Even if you feel okay, some injuries like whiplash or internal bleeding don't show symptoms right away. Medical records also create a paper trail linking your injuries to the crash.
Document everything at the scene. Take photos of vehicle damage, skid marks, debris, traffic signs, and your injuries. Write down anything you remember about the other vehicle make, model, color, partial license plate, direction of travel.
Look for witnesses. Get names and contact information from anyone who saw the crash. Ask nearby businesses if they have security cameras that may have captured the incident.
Notify your insurance company. Report the hit and run to your insurer as soon as possible. Most policies require prompt notification, and delaying could hurt your claim.

How Do I File an Uninsured Motorist Claim After a Hit and Run?

Filing a UM claim after a hit and run involves several steps, and the process can feel overwhelming when you're also dealing with injuries and vehicle repairs.

Step 1: Notify Your Insurance Company

Call your insurer and report the hit and run. Provide the police report number, a description of what happened, and any evidence you collected. Ask your adjuster to explain the next steps and what documentation they need from you.

Step 2: Open Your UM Claim

Your insurer will open an uninsured motorist claim on your policy. A claims adjuster will be assigned to investigate the accident and evaluate your damages. Keep in mind this adjuster works for your insurance company, not for you.

Step 3: Submit Medical Records and Bills

Gather all medical documentation related to your injuries: emergency room visits, imaging, prescriptions, physical therapy records, and any out-of-pocket expenses. Submit these to your adjuster as treatment progresses.

Step 4: Negotiate a Settlement

Once you've reached maximum medical improvement (MMI), your insurer will evaluate your total damages and make a settlement offer. This is where many people run into problems initial offers are often far below what the claim is actually worth.

Step 5: Accept or Dispute the Offer

You don't have to accept the first offer. If the amount doesn't cover your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering, you can negotiate. If your insurer won't offer a fair amount, you may need to pursue arbitration or litigation. You can learn more about how long you have to file a lawsuit in these situations.

What If I Also Have PIP Coverage Do I Use That First?

Florida requires all drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which covers 80% of medical bills and 60% of lost wages up to $10,000, regardless of fault. After a hit and run, your PIP coverage pays first. Your UM coverage then applies to damages that PIP doesn't cover including the remaining medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Think of PIP as the first layer of protection and UM coverage as the second. Together, they can cover a significant portion of your losses, but UM coverage is where the larger compensation typically comes from in serious injury cases.

How Much Compensation Can I Get From a UM Claim?

The amount you can recover depends on your policy limits. UM coverage in Florida typically matches your bodily injury liability limits unless you chose a lower amount. For example, if you carry 100/300 UM coverage, you could receive up to $100,000 per person or $300,000 per accident.

Your compensation may include:

Medical bills (past and future)
Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Property damage (if you have UMPD coverage)

For a breakdown of potential legal costs involved in pursuing a UM claim, see our guide on the cost of hiring an attorney for an uninsured motorist case.

What Are the Most Common Mistakes People Make With UM Claims?

Many valid UM claims are undervalued or denied because of avoidable errors. Watch out for these:

Waiting too long to report. Delayed notification gives your insurer grounds to question the claim. Report within 24 to 48 hours if possible.
Not getting a police report. Without a report, your insurer may doubt that a hit and run actually occurred.
Accepting the first settlement offer. Insurance companies routinely lowball initial offers. Don't sign anything until you understand the full value of your claim.
Giving recorded statements without preparation. Your adjuster may ask for a recorded statement. What you say can be used to reduce or deny your claim. Be careful with your wording.
Missing the statute of limitations. Florida has strict deadlines for filing UM claims and related lawsuits. Missing these deadlines can bar you from recovering anything. Read more about the Florida statute of limitations for uninsured driver injury claims.
Posting on social media. Insurance companies monitor claimants' social media accounts. Photos or posts that contradict your injury claims can be used against you.

Do I Need a Lawyer for a Hit-and-Run UM Claim?

You're not legally required to hire an attorney, but it often makes a practical difference especially if your injuries are serious, the damages are high, or your insurer is disputing the claim. An experienced Florida personal injury attorney can handle negotiations with your insurance company, gather supporting evidence, and take the case to arbitration or court if needed.

Most UM claim attorneys in Florida work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don't pay upfront. The attorney takes a percentage of your recovery only if you win. This arrangement makes legal help accessible even if you're dealing with medical bills and lost income at the same time.

Practical Checklist: Filing a UM Claim After a Florida Hit and Run

✅ Call 911 and get a police report filed
✅ Seek medical treatment immediately keep all records
✅ Document the scene with photos, video, and witness statements
✅ Confirm your UM coverage by checking your policy declarations page
✅ Notify your insurance company within 24 to 48 hours
✅ Open a UM claim and cooperate with the investigation
✅ Gather and submit all medical bills, receipts, and proof of lost wages
✅ Do not accept a settlement offer without understanding your total damages
✅ Know your filing deadlines check the statute of limitations for your claim
✅ Consider consulting a lawyer if your injuries are significant or your insurer is not offering a fair amount

One final tip: Keep a dedicated file physical or digital for every document related to your accident. Police reports, medical records, insurance correspondence, repair estimates, and even a personal journal of your symptoms and daily limitations. This organized record becomes your strongest asset when negotiating or litigating your UM claim.