Released on: March 20, 2008, 12:32 pm

Press Release Author: Better Business Bureau, Connecticut

Industry: Consumer Services

Press Release Summary: Basic Insurance Coverage May Not Be Sufficient To Cover The
Insured Victim's Expenses

Press Release Body: Even though the total number of non-fatal crashes declined
steadily from 6.3 million to 5.9 million from 2003 to 2006, the tally of hit-and-run
accidents remained unchanged, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA). During that four-year period, one of every 8 accidents
nationwide was a hit-and-run.

"Many drivers are unprepared for the consequences of becoming the victim of a
hit-and-run crash in which the other driver cannot be identified," said Paulette
Hotton, President of Better Business Bureau Connecticut.

Not being able to identify the other driver is the same as being involved in an
accident with an uninsured driver. According to the Insurance Information
Institute, a non-profit consumer education organization, drivers can protect
themselves from the financial consequences of a hit-and-run accident. Uninsured
motorist coverage can easily be added to an auto insurance policy.

Though required in Connecticut, uninsured motorist coverage, which pays for injury
and damages caused by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver, is not obligatory in every
state.
Therefore, some insured drivers on the roads may not be covered.

Moreover, some auto insurance companies do not automatically cover the cost of a
temporary replacement rental car while the damaged vehicle is being repaired, even
if it was caused by a hit-and-run driver. Most cars are in a repair shop for two
weeks after an accident. Considering that the average daily rate for a rental car
is $50, it can end up costing more for a one-day rental car than for one full-year
of replacement rental car coverage, which is only a couple of dollars a month.

According to the data from the NHTSA, 80 percent of hit-and-run accidents cause
vehicle damage only, therefore, the victim's largest expenses usually are for
repairs and a replacement rental car.

To help insured drivers become better prepared for any type of motor vehicle
accident, a web site has been developed at www.wiserdrivers.com with information
from the Insurance Information Institute and Better Business Bureaus, both
non-profit organizations. In addition to tips, the Web site encourages drivers to
review their auto insurance policy annually to make sure they have adequate coverage
for various types of crashes - those that are their fault, those that are not their
fault, and hit-and-run.

"Many of us think that we're well prepared to deal with an accident, but people
often don't take the time to read and understand their policy," says Carolyn Gorman,
Vice President of the Insurance Information Institute. Most policies are very
specific and provide detailed explanations about what is automatically included and
what additional low cost options are available."

For more details, go to http://www.iii.org/individuals/auto/a/basic/
Connecticut Better Business Bureau agrees. "Comparison shopping for price is
important, but even more importantly, consumers need to ensure they have appropriate
coverage, because a few dollars saved in the short run can cost consumers a small
fortune in the end," said Hotton.




Web Site: http://www.bbb.org

Contact Details: 92 South Turnpike Rd
Wallingford, CT 06492
203-269-2700 ext 103
Howard Schwartz
Communications Director