Hit by an uninsured driver in Vermont: what to do (2026)

Build your plan

Choose your state and answer 3 quick questions. The plan below changes as you answer: steps that don't fit your answers are hidden, and your state's deadlines appear. It all happens in your browser. Nothing is sent, and the page address holds only your answers.

The plan builder needs JavaScript. Below is the full plan: steps marked “If you answered …” apply only in that case. Your state's deadlines are on the state pages listed at the bottom.

Your plan for Vermont

Do now

If anyone is hurt, call 911. Move to a safe place if you can.
Why: Safety first. Police also document the crash.
Call the police and ask for a report even if no one is hurt, and write down the report number.
Why: Your uninsured motorist claim and any lawsuit depend on proof of what happened and who the driver was; some states require a police report within 24 hours for hit-and-run claims.
If you answered “Yes, I have their name and plate” to “Do you know who the driver is?”
Get the driver's name, address, phone, driver's license number and plate, and ask who owns the car. Photograph their license, plate and any insurance card they show.
Why: The car may belong to someone else whose insurance covers it, and you need the driver's details to sue.
If you answered “No, they drove off” to “Do you know who the driver is?”
Write down everything you saw about the car (make, color, partial plate, direction) and get witness names and numbers; report the crash to police right away.
Why: For an unidentified driver, many UM policies and some states require prompt police reporting, and witness details may help find the driver.
Take photos of both cars, the scene, and any injuries.
Why: Proof gathered at the scene is the strongest.
Tell your own insurer about the crash the same day or as soon as you can, and say the other driver appears to be uninsured.
Why: Your policy requires prompt notice, and your UM claim starts with your own insurer.

This week

Get a copy of the police report and check the insurance information it lists.
Why: The driver may have insurance after all, or the car's owner may; your insurer can check.
If you answered “Uninsured motorist coverage” to “What does your own policy include?”
Open an uninsured motorist claim with your insurer. Ask which parts apply: injuries (UM bodily injury) and car damage (UM property damage, if your state and policy include it), and any deductible.
Why: UM coverage steps in for the insurance the at-fault driver should have had.
If you answered “Collision but no uninsured motorist” to “What does your own policy include?”
If you do not have UM, claim your car damage under your collision coverage and keep proof of your deductible.
Why: Collision pays regardless of fault (minus your deductible), and you can try to recover the deductible from the driver.
If you answered “I don't know” to “What does your own policy include?”
Find your policy's declarations page (in your insurer's app, or ask your agent) to see whether you have uninsured motorist, collision, PIP or medical payments coverage.
Why: What you can claim depends on what is on your policy; in many states UM is included unless you rejected it in writing.
If you answered “Only liability” to “What does your own policy include?”
If you only have liability coverage, check whether your policy has PIP or medical payments for your injuries, and read your state's section below for state programs and forms.
Why: Liability coverage pays others, not you; your remaining options are other coverage, state programs and suing the driver.
If you answered “Yes” to “Was anyone hurt?”
If you were hurt, also file for PIP or medical payments with your insurer, and get medical care and keep records.
Why: In no-fault and PIP states, your PIP pays first whoever caused the crash; UM can pay injury losses beyond that.
Read your state's section on uninsured drivers below. Some states have their own steps: for example, a state form to file within a set time (Alabama, Washington), damage forms sent to the state transportation department (Wisconsin), a report to the state motor vehicle agency (Ohio), or a state program for people with no insurance (New York's MVAIC).
Why: These steps can lead to the uninsured driver's license or registration being suspended until they pay, or give you a source of payment.
Get written repair estimates and keep receipts for towing, rental cars and medical costs.
Why: You can claim only costs you can prove.

If it's not resolved

If the driver had some insurance but not enough to cover your injuries, ask your insurer about underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage before you accept the other insurer's limits.
Why: UIM claims often have policy conditions about notice and consent before settling.
If your insurer delays or denies your UM claim, see the plan for a denied insurance claim and consider a complaint to your state insurance department.
Why: Your own insurer must still handle a UM claim fairly; the state regulator takes complaints for free.
If you answered “Yes, I have their name and plate” to “Do you know who the driver is?”
If you know who the driver is, send them a written demand for your uncovered losses (template below), such as your deductible, car repairs or rental costs.
Why: A clear written demand is often expected before court and sometimes leads to a payment plan.
If they do not pay, you can sue the driver (and, where the law allows, the car's owner) in small claims court for amounts up to your state's limit.
Why: Small claims is low-cost and built for people without lawyers. A judgment is not a payment, so see the plan for a judgment that is not paid.
Keep track of your state's deadlines to sue for property damage and injuries.
Why: After the deadline you usually lose the right to sue.

Deadlines

Report a hit-and-run or uninsured-driver crash to police (often required for a UM claim)

General rule: Set by your policy and, in some states, by law (for example, within 24 hours in New York, West Virginia and, for a hit-and-run to count as uninsured, Alaska). See state.

In Vermont:

Every Vermont policy must include uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage of at least $50,000/$100,000, which is higher than the liability minimum. It also covers up to $10,000 of property damage caused by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver. Driving without insurance can bring a civil penalty of up to $500.

checked Oct 2026 · From Accident Claim Map: Vermont

State forms or reports after a crash with an uninsured driver

General rule: see state (for example, Alabama SR-31 within 30 days; Ohio BMV report within 6 months; Washington claim for damages within 180 days)

In Vermont:

Every Vermont policy must include uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage of at least $50,000/$100,000, which is higher than the liability minimum. It also covers up to $10,000 of property damage caused by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver. Driving without insurance can bring a civil penalty of up to $500.

checked Oct 2026 · From Accident Claim Map: Vermont

Notice of your uninsured motorist claim to your insurer

General rule: Set by your policy. Do it within days.

Notice or claim deadline for your own PIP / no-fault benefits

General rule: Set by your policy and, in some states, by law (for example, a written no-fault claim within 30 days in New York; first medical care within 14 days to use PIP medical benefits in Florida; 60 days to choose PIP benefits in DC). See state.

In Vermont:

No PIP required. Vermont has no no-fault law: the driver who caused the crash (and their liability insurer) pays for others' injuries and damage.

Law: 23 V.S.A. § 800 (liability insurance); no no-fault statute found · checked Oct 2026 · Official source · From Accident Claim Map: Vermont

Deadline to sue for damage to your car or other property

General rule: see state

In Vermont:

3 years

checked Oct 2026 · From Small Claims Map: Vermont

Deadline to sue for a personal injury

General rule: see state

In Vermont:

3 years

checked Oct 2026 · From Small Claims Map: Vermont

Key facts for Vermont

Accident Claim Map

Fault or no-fault state: Fault (tort)
Shared fault rule: Modified (51% bar)
Deadline to sue: injury: 3 years
Deadline to sue: car damage: 3 years

Accident Claim Map: Vermont · checked Oct 2026

Small Claims Map

Most you can sue for: $10,000
Court: small claims court
Filing fee: $65–$90
Lawyers: Optional

Small Claims Map: Vermont

Documents to gather

Police report and report number
Driver's name, address, license number, plate, and the car owner's name
Your policy declarations page (UM, UIM, collision, PIP, medical payments)
Photos of the scene, both cars and injuries
Witness names and phone numbers
Repair estimates, towing, rental and medical receipts
Claim numbers and letters from your insurer
Copies of any state forms you file

Letters you can send

Fill in the blanks; the letter updates as you type. Copy it, print it or save it as a text file. Nothing you type is sent or saved: it stays on this page until you close it.

Demand letter to the uninsured driver

Ask the driver in writing to pay your uncovered, documented losses before you file in small claims court.

[Date of letter]

To: [Driver name]
[Driver address]

Re: Crash on [Date of crash] at [Crash location], police report [Police report number]

On [Date of crash], the vehicle you were driving hit my vehicle at [Crash location]. At the scene you did not provide proof of insurance, and I have not been paid for my losses.

My losses not covered by insurance are:
[Itemized losses]
Total: [Amount claimed]. Copies of estimates and receipts are attached.

Please pay [Amount claimed] by [Pay by date], or contact me in writing to agree on a payment plan. If this is not resolved, I may file a claim in small claims court.

[Your name]
[Your address]

Notice of uninsured motorist claim to your insurer

Give your own insurer written notice of an uninsured motorist claim and ask what it needs.

[Date of letter]

To: [Insurer name]
Re: Uninsured motorist claim, policy [Policy number], crash on [Date of crash]

On [Date of crash] at [Crash location], I was in a crash caused by another driver who appears to have no insurance. Police report: [Police report number]. Other driver: [Other driver info].

I am making a claim under the uninsured motorist coverage of my policy, and under any other coverage that applies, for: [Injury or damage].

Please confirm the claim number, the adjuster, which coverages apply, any deductible, and what documents you need from me.

[Your name]
[Your address]

Where to go

LocalPolice (911 if anyone is hurt; non-emergency line otherwise)
Right after the crash, and to report a driver who left
StateYour state motor vehicle agency (DMV)
Your state has a form or report for crashes with uninsured drivers (see your state's section)
StateYour state insurance department (consumer complaints)
An insurer delays, underpays or denies your claim without a clear reason
Check your state.
LocalSmall claims court in your state
The driver will not pay a small claim (for example, your deductible or bike repair)

Costs

Uninsured motorist and collision claims are free to file but may have a deductible (for example, $200 for uninsured motorist property damage in DC). Complaints to the state insurance department are free. Small claims filing fees are usually tens of dollars (see the smallclaimsmap link for your state), and you can ask the court to waive them if you cannot afford them. Winning a judgment does not guarantee payment.

Talk to a lawyer if

Anyone was seriously hurt or killed
Your own insurer denies or lowballs your uninsured or underinsured motorist claim
The driver had some insurance and you need to use underinsured motorist coverage
The car belonged to an employer or another person who may be responsible
Your losses are more than your state's small claims limit, or the deadline to sue is close

Free help

Free legal aid: the Legal Services Corporation's 'I Need Legal Help' page (lsc.gov) finds the legal aid office for your area, and LawHelp.org lists free legal help by state. Many state bar associations run lawyer referral services with low-cost first meetings. Your state attorney general or consumer protection office takes consumer complaints for free (find it on USA.gov).

Guides for your state

Guides for every state

Related situations

Questions

What is the report a hit-and-run or uninsured-driver crash to police (often required for a UM claim) in Vermont?

Every Vermont policy must include uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage of at least $50,000/$100,000, which is higher than the liability minimum. It also covers up to $10,000 of property damage caused by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver. Driving without insurance can bring a civil penalty of up to $500.

What is the state forms or reports after a crash with an uninsured driver in Vermont?

Every Vermont policy must include uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage of at least $50,000/$100,000, which is higher than the liability minimum. It also covers up to $10,000 of property damage caused by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver. Driving without insurance can bring a civil penalty of up to $500.

What is the notice of your uninsured motorist claim to your insurer?

Set by your policy. Do it within days.

What is the notice or claim deadline for your own PIP / no-fault benefits in Vermont?

No PIP required. Vermont has no no-fault law: the driver who caused the crash (and their liability insurer) pays for others' injuries and damage. (23 V.S.A. § 800 (liability insurance); no no-fault statute found)

What is the deadline to sue for damage to your car or other property in Vermont?

3 years

What is the deadline to sue for a personal injury in Vermont?

3 years

When should I talk to a lawyer?

Anyone was seriously hurt or killed; Your own insurer denies or lowballs your uninsured or underinsured motorist claim; The driver had some insurance and you need to use underinsured motorist coverage; The car belonged to an employer or another person who may be responsible; Your losses are more than your state's small claims limit, or the deadline to sue is close.

How much does it cost?

Uninsured motorist and collision claims are free to file but may have a deductible (for example, $200 for uninsured motorist property damage in DC). Complaints to the state insurance department are free. Small claims filing fees are usually tens of dollars (see the smallclaimsmap link for your state), and you can ask the court to waive them if you cannot afford them. Winning a judgment does not guarantee payment.

Plans by state

Open the plan with one state's rules filled in:

Sources

Plan checked Oct 2026. Independently fact-checked 2026-10-24. Some details could not be fully verified; see the notes in each section.

This plan is general legal information, not legal advice. RobinClaim is not a law firm. Laws and deadlines change and have exceptions: check with the official source or a lawyer or legal aid office about your own case. How we research.