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Hit-and-Run Accident: What to Do and How Insurance Pays When the Other Driver Flees

By AutoInsuranceBundle.pro · Published October 29, 2026

The crunch, the jolt, and then taillights disappearing around the corner. A hit-and-run leaves you with damage, maybe injuries, and nobody to send the bill to. The steps you take in the next hour can decide how much of it your insurance will pay.

Right after it happens

1. Check yourself and passengers. Call 911 if anyone is hurt.
2. Don't chase the other driver. It's dangerous and can make things worse.
3. Write down everything you remember right away: make, model, color, partial plate, direction of travel, damage to their car, and the driver's description.
4. Look for witnesses and ask for their contact information. Other drivers and pedestrians often catch details you missed.
5. Photograph your car, the scene, debris, and paint transfer.
6. Check for cameras at nearby businesses, homes, and traffic signals, and ask owners to save footage. Many systems overwrite video within days.
7. Call the police and file a report, even for minor damage.

Why the police report matters so much

Many insurers require a police report for an uninsured motorist claim involving an unknown driver, sometimes within a short time after the crash. Reporting promptly also helps police find the driver. Get the report number and the officer's name.

How insurance usually pays

Uninsured motorist bodily injury

If you're hurt, uninsured motorist (UM) bodily injury coverage often treats an unidentified hit-and-run driver as uninsured. It can pay for medical bills, lost wages, and other losses up to your limits. Some states and policies require physical contact between the vehicles for a hit-and-run UM claim; if the other driver forced you off the road without touching you, coverage may depend on corroboration such as independent witnesses. Our guide to uninsured driver crashes explains UM in detail.

Uninsured motorist property damage

Some states offer uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) coverage, but many states or policies don't extend it to unidentified drivers, or only do so with conditions. Check yours.

Collision coverage

Collision is often the most reliable way to fix your car after a hit-and-run, regardless of whether the driver is found, minus your deductible.

Medical payments or PIP

Medical payments coverage, or PIP in no-fault states, can pay injury costs regardless of fault.

If you only carry liability

Liability coverage pays for damage you cause to others, not damage to your car. Without collision or applicable UMPD, a hit-and-run may leave you paying for repairs yourself unless the driver is identified.

If you were walking or biking

Hit-and-run crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists are often the most serious. If you have an auto policy, your UM bodily injury and medical payments or PIP coverage may protect you even when you weren't in a car, depending on the policy and state. A household member's policy may also apply. If you don't own a car, ask whether a resident relative's policy covers you, and check your health insurance. Report the crash to police right away and get medical care, even for injuries that seem minor.

What to expect from the claim

After you report the crash, your insurer will usually:

1. Assign an adjuster and ask for the police report number.
2. Take your statement about what happened. Stick to the facts you know.
3. Inspect the damage, in person or through photos.
4. Review injury documentation if you're making a UM or medical claim.
5. Pay under the applicable coverage, minus any deductible, and open a subrogation file in case the driver is identified.

Keep copies of everything you send and receive, and follow up in writing if things stall.

When your parked car is the target

A hit-and-run on a parked car follows the same steps: photos, a police report, a check for cameras and witnesses, and a call to your insurer. Look for a note under the wiper; many states require drivers who hit an unattended vehicle to leave their contact information. Our story on parked cars hit on an Allston street covers parked-car claims.

If the driver is found

If police identify the driver, you can claim against their liability insurance. If you already used your own coverage, your insurer can pursue the driver through subrogation and may recover your deductible. If the driver turns out to be uninsured, UM coverage may still apply.

Leaving the scene of a crash is a crime in every state, with penalties that rise with injuries. The criminal case runs separately from your insurance claim.

Will a hit-and-run claim raise my rates?

Because you weren't at fault, many insurers treat hit-and-run claims more favorably than at-fault crashes, and many states limit surcharges for not-at-fault accidents. Practices vary, so ask.

Common mistakes

• Waiting to call police, especially when a report deadline applies.
• Not checking for cameras quickly.
• Assuming liability insurance covers your car.
• Chasing the other driver.
• Skipping a medical check after a jolt.

Build a policy that works when the other driver doesn't

UM, UMPD where available, collision, and medical payments coverage are what protect you in a hit-and-run. A licensed agent can explain options in your state and compare quotes. Call (888) 217-5854.

FAQ

Does insurance cover a hit-and-run?

Often, through uninsured motorist coverage for injuries and collision coverage for your car. Liability-only policies don't cover your own car.

Do I need a police report?

Usually, yes. Many insurers require one for hit-and-run UM claims, sometimes within a short deadline.

What if the hit-and-run driver didn't touch my car?

Some states and policies require physical contact for UM coverage, or corroborating witnesses. Rules vary.

Will my deductible apply?

For collision claims, yes. If the driver is later found, your insurer may try to recover it.

Important: This article is general information, not legal, tax, or insurance advice, and coverage rules vary by state, insurer, and policy. AutoInsuranceBundle.pro is a free, independent insurance comparison and referral service. We are not an insurance company, we do not issue policies, and we do not provide insurance advice. Calls to the number on this site are routed to licensed insurance agents or agencies in our partner network, who may receive compensation. Calling is completely voluntary and there is no obligation to buy. Rates, discounts, and availability vary by carrier, state, and individual eligibility; not all carriers, products, or discounts are available in all states. Calls may be recorded for quality and compliance purposes.