If you were hit by a driver who fled the scene or later turned out to have no insurance, uninsured motorist coverage in NJ (UM) is the safety net built into your own auto policy. It can pay for your injuries—and, if purchased, certain vehicle damage—when the at-fault driver can’t or won’t. Its companion, underinsured motorist coverage (UIM), steps in when the other driver’s policy limits are too low to cover what you’ve lost. At Sammarro & Zalarick , we help clients use UM/UIM the right way after a chaotic, hit-and-run in NJ.
First things first: Where UM/UIM fits in New Jersey’s “no-fault” system
New Jersey is a “no-fault” state for medical bills after a crash. That means your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) pays your accident-related medical expenses regardless of fault (up to the limits you chose). PIP is separate from UM/UIM and is the primary way your treatment gets paid early on. Later, if another driver is legally responsible, we may pursue them (or your UM/UIM) for pain and suffering, lost income beyond PIP, and other damages. The point is: PIP for medicals now; UM/UIM for broader compensation when the other driver can’t pay.
What uninsured motorist coverage actually pays for
At a high level, UM stands in for the insurance the other driver should have had. If the at-fault driver has no liability insurance—or it’s a true hit-and-run in NJ where the driver can’t be identified—your UM claim can cover bodily injury and, if you bought it, property damage to your vehicle. In New Jersey, many policies pair UM with UIM; policy language controls the details, but the idea is simple: your own policy pays you, then your insurer can pursue the at-fault party. The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) explains how UM/UIM property damage works, including a $500 deductible and the note that drivers with a Basic Policy have no UM/UIM property protection.
What underinsured motorist coverage in
UIM applies when the other driver has liability insurance, just not enough. You can only collect UIM if your UIM limits are higher than the at-fault driver’s liability limits; in addition, your UM/UIM limits cannot exceed your own liability limits. Strategically, that means setting meaningful liability limits so your UM/UIM can be just as strong. New Jersey’s consumer guidance makes these relationships clear and is a good reality check on how much coverage you actually bought.
Standard vs. Basic policy: why it matters for UM/UIM in New Jersey
New Jersey offers a Standard Policy and a Basic Policy. Standard lets you choose higher liability, PIP, and UM/UIM limits; Basic strips coverage down and is designed as a budget option. If you’re relying on UM/UIM to protect yourself against uninsured or hit-and-run drivers, the Standard Policy’s flexibility is the safer bet. DOBI’s overview lays out the coverage choices available under each policy type so you can see exactly what you have—and what you might be missing.
Hit and run NJ: the law, the police report, and why the paperwork matters
Leaving the scene after a crash is illegal in New Jersey. The criminal code separately penalizes knowingly leaving the scene when there is serious injury or death, and those provisions reference the motor-vehicle “leaving the scene” statute. This isn’t just a technicality; reporting the crash right away and getting an official report is often essential evidence for a UM claim when the other driver is unknown.
If police do not respond, New Jersey provides a Self-Reporting Crash form (SR-1) for crashes that weren’t investigated on scene; the state also publishes the Police Guide for Preparing NJTR-1 crash reports (officers generally file within five days for reportable crashes). Getting into one of these official pathways—police report or SR-1—creates the paper trail your insurer will look for, especially in hit-and-run situations.
When you’re ready to obtain the report, the New Jersey State Police portal allows most roadway crash reports to be downloaded online (serious/fatal investigations have different procedures).
How a UM/UIM claim unfolds (and where we help)
Every case is different, but most uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist coverage claims follow a predictable arc. After medical care and crash reporting, you notify your carrier—promptly—to open a UM or UIM claim. We then confirm your full policy stack (liability, PIP, UM/UIM, deductibles) and gather the evidence that proves liability, injury, and losses: the police or SR-1 report, scene photos or video, witness info, vehicle damage documentation, medical records and bills, wage records, and any other supporting proof. For UIM, we also verify the at-fault driver’s limits and follow procedures that protect your carrier’s subrogation rights before any settlement with the other driver. If the insurer disputes fault, injury, or value, many New Jersey policies call for arbitration; others proceed in court. You don’t have to manage that alphabet soup alone—we do it every day.
The interplay with PIP (No-Fault) and why it’s not “double-dipping”
Clients sometimes worry they’re “double-dipping” because PIP paid medical bills and we’re also pursuing UM or UIM. That’s not how the system sees it. PIP is designed to front medical expenses quickly, regardless of fault. UM/UIM is about compensating you for the full scope of losses caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver: pain and suffering where permitted, lost income beyond PIP, out-of-pocket costs, and (if you purchased it) property damage to your car subject to the policy rules. New Jersey’s consumer materials explain PIP as the no-fault medical piece; your UM/UIM claim addresses the rest.
Time limits: how long you have to act in New Jersey
New Jersey’s statute of limitations for personal injury is generally two years from when your claim accrues. Some policy issues (like UM notice and proof-of-loss deadlines) run much sooner and come from your insurance contract, not the statute—so waiting is risky. If a crash involves only property damage, different timing rules may apply. When in doubt, call us; missing a deadline can end a valid claim. For an official overview, see the NJ Courts’ guidance and the statute.
Practical steps after a hit-and-run in NJ (do these even if you “feel fine”)
Start with safety and medical care. Then call the police and report the crash; if no officer responds, file the SR-1 as soon as possible. Photograph your car, the scene, and any visible injuries; save dash-cam footage if you have it. Look around for businesses or residences with cameras and note the exact time window so we can send preservation requests. Notify your insurer that you’re making a UM claim and keep your claim number handy. Finally, create a folder for bills, co-pays, repair estimates, and time missed from work—organized records shorten the road to recovery.
Common sticking points we resolve for clients
Insurers rightly expect proof that a hit-and-run occurred; a bare assertion with no report, photos, or witnesses makes UM harder. That’s why we push early documentation. Another frequent snag: coverage gaps. If you chose a Basic Policy, you may have limited or no protection for UM property damage; if your UIM limits are low, you can bump into ceilings quickly on a serious injury. We can’t rewrite your policy after the fact, but we can maximize what exists and, once your case is over, we’ll help you revisit your limits so you’re better protected going forward.
How much UM/UIM should I carry?
There’s no one number that fits everyone, but here’s a practical guideline rooted in New Jersey rules: choose liability limits high enough that your UM/UIM can match them—because UM/UIM cannot be higher than your liability limits. On a Standard Policy, many drivers select limits well above the minimums so their uninsured motorist coverage NJ and underinsured motorist coverage NJ keep pace with real-world medical costs and wage losses. If you want a quick policy review, we’ll walk you through the trade-offs in plain English.
Why Sammarro & Zalarick is a good fit for UM/UIM and hit-and-run in NJ cases
These cases are won with details: getting the right report, finding the right video, documenting injuries properly, and navigating policy conditions without stepping on landmines. Our Bergen County team builds UM and UIM claims every week—from Route 4 and 17, to the Turnpike, Parkway, and GWB approaches—and we know how local police reports, hospital records, and insurer procedures actually play out. We front-load the work, communicate clearly, and move quickly so you’re not left wondering what’s next. Consultations are free, and you don’t pay a fee unless we recover for you.