The Driver That Hit Me Does Not Have Insurance. Can I Still Be Compensated?

Possibly. If the driver that hit you does not have insurance, does not have enough coverage to cover your losses, or fled the scene of the accident, you will need to pursue a claim with your own insurance company under your policy’s Uninsured/Underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM). Unlike liability coverage which pays for any injuries or damage you may cause, UM coverage covers you for any damages that an uninsured driver should cause, including medical bills, vehicle repairs, and other property damage costs. UIM coverage is essentially the same, with the difference being that it provides an additional layer of coverage for any damages that exceed the at-fault driver’s policy limits. Insurance companies in Alaska are required to offer UM/UIM coverage, though drivers are given the ability to opt out.

If you do not have UM/UIM coverage, there is a chance you may be able to file a civil lawsuit against the at-fault driver in pursuit of compensation. With that being said, since many uninsured drivers have little in terms of money or personal assets, actually collecting on any judgment you may receive is unlikely. For this reason, we urge drivers to never leave themselves vulnerable and purchase at least the minimum amount of UM/UIM coverage.