In Iowa, can I file a claim on my own insurance if the driver who hurt me had no insurance or fled the scene and nobody got the plate?

Q: In Iowa, can I file a claim on my own insurance if the driver who hurt me had no insurance or fled the scene and nobody got the plate?

Yes. In Iowa, you may be able to use your own uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage if the at-fault driver had no insurance, only the state minimum, or was a hit-and-run driver who was never identified. Iowa drivers are only required to carry $20,000 for injury to one person, $40,000 per crash, and $15,000 for property damage. That minimum is often nowhere near enough for a serious injury. If the other driver had no coverage at all, UM may apply. If that driver had insurance but not enough to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses, UIM may apply. In Iowa, auto insurers generally must offer UM and UIM coverage under Iowa Code chapter 516A, and many policies include it unless it was rejected. Take these steps right away: Report the crash to local police, the county sheriff, or the Iowa State Patrol and get a crash report number. Notify your own insurer promptly and say you may be making a UM/UIM claim. Save photos, witness names, dash-cam footage, debris, and medical records. If the other driver's insurer offers its policy limits, do not accept or sign a release before notifying your UIM carrier. A hit-and-run claim is still possible even if nobody got the plate number, but proof matters. Witness statements, surveillance video, vehicle damage, and the police report can make the difference. For injuries from an Iowa crash, the general deadline to file suit is 2 years from the accident date. Your insurance policy may require faster notice for a UM/UIM claim, so check it immediately.

Question

Accepted Answer

Yes. In Iowa, you may be able to use your own uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage if the at-fault driver had no insurance, only the state minimum, or was a hit-and-run driver who was never identified.

Iowa drivers are only required to carry $20,000 for injury to one person, $40,000 per crash, and $15,000 for property damage. That minimum is often nowhere near enough for a serious injury. If the other driver had no coverage at all, UM may apply. If that driver had insurance but not enough to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses, UIM may apply.

In Iowa, auto insurers generally must offer UM and UIM coverage under Iowa Code chapter 516A, and many policies include it unless it was rejected.

Take these steps right away:

Report the crash to local police, the county sheriff, or the Iowa State Patrol and get a crash report number.
Notify your own insurer promptly and say you may be making a UM/UIM claim.
Save photos, witness names, dash-cam footage, debris, and medical records.
If the other driver's insurer offers its policy limits, do not accept or sign a release before notifying your UIM carrier.

A hit-and-run claim is still possible even if nobody got the plate number, but proof matters. Witness statements, surveillance video, vehicle damage, and the police report can make the difference.

For injuries from an Iowa crash, the general deadline to file suit is 2 years from the accident date. Your insurance policy may require faster notice for a UM/UIM claim, so check it immediately.