The North Carolina Department of Insurance (DOI) defines the uninsured motorist (UM) policy as one which will provide protection when an uninsured driver, who is at-fault, injures you or another covered individual. It also provides property damage coverage.

UM coverage in NC usually pays for costs related to injuries or property damage to you or your family members and guests in your vehicle caused by an uninsured, underinsured, or hit-and-run driver.

Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage is similar, but takes effect when someone who is insured and is legally responsible for the accident that causes injury to you or others designated by your policy, does not have sufficient bodily injury liability insurance to cover the full cost of your medical bills, lost income and other expenses.

So UIM coverage will provide protection when an underinsured driver, who is at-fault, causes injury to a covered individual. An underinsured driver is one whose limits of liability are less than your UIM limits, and not enough to cover the losses of the people the underinsured driver injures in an at-fault accident. UIM coverage does not provide protection against property damage. The UIM coverage will pay a maximum of the difference between the other driver’s Liability limits and your UIM limits.

It is best to read the terms of your specific policy to make sure hit and run accidents are covered by your NC car insurance UM/UIM coverages. If they are you will need to find out what procedures must be followed to make a claim. Many times insurance carriers have specific rules to follow such as there must be a police report, etc. If you have witnesses that saw the at fault vehicle leave the scene of the accident that is always helpful.