What is the duty of the insured when dealing with an UM/UIM claim?

In the context of an Underinsured Motorist (UM) or Uninsured Motorist (UIM) claim, the duty of the insured to notify the police of a hit-and-run incident is a crucial step in the claims process. Reporting the incident to the police is important because it creates an official record of the event, which can be vital for the insurance claim. This report serves as documentation of the circumstances surrounding the accident and can help establish the details about the uninsured or underinsured motorist, as well as support the validity of the claim made to the insurer.

Notifying the police is typically a legal requirement in cases involving accidents with tangible damage or personal injury, and it plays a key role in ensuring that law enforcement has the opportunity to investigate the incident. When the insured informs the police about a hit-and-run, it can lead to further investigative efforts to locate the responsible party, which is essential for pursuing a UM/UIM claim.

While other actions mentioned could be relevant in different contexts—like forwarding claims to the insurer or submitting photographs of the damage—these do not address the immediate and critical step of reporting the incident to the authorities as required by law. Waiting for the insurer to contact them would not fulfill the insured's duties effectively,