Hit-And-Run: What To Do And Whether Your Insurance Covers It

You walk out to the parking lot and find a crushed bumper and no note. Or worse, another driver clips your car on the road and keeps going. Your heart is pounding, you are angry, and you do not know who to call. A hit-and-run is stressful because the one person who is supposed to pay for the damage is gone.

The good news is that you often still have a way to be paid. The less comfortable news is that how much help you get depends on the coverage you bought before it happened, and on what you do in the first few hours. This guide walks through both.

First, make sure everyone is safe

If you were driving, check yourself and your passengers before you think about the car. Move to a safe place if you can, switch on your hazard lights, and call 911 if anyone is hurt or if the car is blocking traffic. Damage to metal can be repaired. Injuries sometimes do not show up until the next day, so mention any pain to the responders even if it seems small.

What to do in the first hour

• Call the police and file a report. Do this even if the damage looks minor. Most insurers expect a police report for a hit-and-run claim, and in some states it is required for uninsured motorist claims. Some places also set a short deadline, so do not wait several days.
• Write down what you remember. The color, make and size of the other vehicle, any part of a license plate, the direction it went and the time. Memory fades quickly.
• Take photos. Capture the damage from several angles, the position of your car, paint transfer, broken glass and the surrounding area, including street signs.
• Look for witnesses and cameras. Ask nearby people for contact details. Check for security cameras at shops, apartment buildings and traffic lights. Footage is often deleted after a short time, so ask quickly.
• Do not chase the driver. It is dangerous and can make you partly responsible for a second accident.

Which coverage may pay

Because the at-fault driver has not been identified, you usually turn to your own policy. Several parts of it may respond:

• Collision coverage. Pays to repair or replace your car after a crash, minus your deductible, no matter who caused it. It does not pay medical bills. If you only carry liability, it will not cover damage to your own car.
• Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD). In many states this pays for vehicle damage when the other driver cannot be identified or has no insurance. It is not available everywhere, and some states require that the other car actually touched yours before it applies.
• Uninsured motorist bodily injury. Helps with medical expenses and, in some cases, lost wages when you are hurt by a hit-and-run driver.
• Medical payments or personal injury protection. Depending on your state and policy, these may pay medical bills regardless of fault.

One point surprises many people: comprehensive coverage generally does not pay for damage caused by another vehicle hitting yours. That belongs to collision or uninsured motorist coverage. If you are not sure which parts of your policy you have, our article on car insurance terms explained breaks them down.

Will your rates go up?

It depends on how the claim is paid. If your collision coverage pays, some insurers record it as an at-fault claim, which can affect your rate. If the claim goes through uninsured motorist property damage, it is more likely to be treated as not your fault. The rules differ by company and state, so it is worth asking your insurer how the claim will be classified before you choose a route. You can also read why your car insurance went up for a general look at what moves a premium.

What if you were parked?

Hit-and-run damage to a parked car is very common, and the same coverages usually apply. Document the scene, look for notes or witnesses, file a police report and contact your insurer. If the other driver left a note and is later found, your insurer may be able to recover what it paid, and in some cases you can get your deductible back.

What if you do not have the right coverage?

If you carry liability only, you may have to pay for repairs yourself, unless the driver is found. Do not give up on the police report even then. Sometimes a camera, a witness or a damaged part left at the scene helps identify the person. If it does, you can pursue them directly, and small-claims court is an option for smaller amounts.

This is also a good moment to think about what your policy is missing. Uninsured motorist coverage is usually inexpensive compared with the cost of one uncovered repair. A roughly one-in-seven rate of uninsured drivers on the road is a number worth remembering, because a driver who flees is often one who has no insurance to lose. Our guide on what to do if an uninsured driver hits you covers the related case where the driver stays but cannot pay.

Talking to your insurance company

Call your insurer soon after the report is filed. Give them the police report number, your photos and your notes. Ask three questions: which coverage will apply, what the deductible will be, and how the claim will be recorded. Keep a simple log of every call, with the date and the name of the person you spoke to. If you are unsure how the process works, how to file a car insurance claim, step by step walks through it, and how long a claim takes sets realistic expectations.

The takeaway

A hit-and-run is not the end of the road. Stay safe, report it quickly, document everything and then talk to your insurer about which coverage fits. If the experience has shown you that your own policy has gaps, you can compare quotes in minutes and see what stronger protection would cost.

Coverage and rules vary by state and by policy. Read your own policy or ask your insurer to confirm what applies to you.

Sources

• MoneyGeek: does car insurance cover hit-and-runs?
• The Zebra: hit-and-run car insurance coverage
• Experian: what to do after a hit-and-run
• Lemonade: hit-and-run damage to a parked car

Written by the StateCarInsuranceUSA editorial team. Last updated November 4, 2026.

This article is for general information only and is not insurance, legal or financial advice. Coverage, rules and prices vary by insurer and state.