Auto Insurance Claims: hit-and-run and insurance deductible, actual proof, collision coverage

Question
Our truck was parked outside of our home and someone hit it, leaving no acknowledgement. Our insurance says that we have to pay the deductible when we have the car fixed. I'm wondering if there is a way around this. I feel like it's the same thing as having an uninsured motorist hit me, since the person didn't tell us they did it. It's not just a little dent, by the way; the driver's side door is now hard to open.

Answer
Hi Janet,

Most insurance companies take the position that for a claim to be considered as an uninsured mototist claim there has to be an identified other vehicle involved. This can be in the form of actually have an uninsured mototist or having a witness who actually saw the accident. Short of that they will usually process the claim under the collision coverage. The primary reason for this is that without actual proof that another vehicle was involved, everyone who was drunk and backed up into a tree would claim that it was an uninsured motorist who hit their car. You can try to argure with the insurance company. If there is any paint transfer on your vehicle this may help you convince them.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh