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Why do I have to pay a deductible if I was hit by an uninsured driver?

My car was hit while it was parked and the other driver took off. The police were able to track him down and he was found to be at fault. Now I am stuck having to pay my $500 deductible because the driver didn't have insurance at the time of the accident. Why can't my insurance company bill him instead of making me pay for the deductible when I was clearly not in the wrong at all for the hit and run?

Aug 13, 2024 Palmer, AK

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Unfortunately, recovering the cost of your deductible, if the other driver is uninsured, is up to you. I would definitely recommend asking to speak with a supervisor at your insurance company to see if you have any other options available, but you may have to pay the deductible simply to start the repair process. You might want to consider taking the uninsured driver to small claims court if you aren't able to work it out with your insurance company. Or you could always contact an attorney to discuss the details of the incident and what options are available to you.
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