If you’re the victim of a hit-and-run, you can file an accident claim through your car insurance company. Depending on your coverage, your insurer may cover some costs related to property damage, bodily injury, and more. Like all auto accidents, a hit-and-run can cause severe damage, including total loss of your vehicle, injury, and death.
Here’s what to do following a hit-and-run and what auto coverage can help cover the costs of vehicle damage and personal injury.
Don’t panic if you find yourself in a hit-and-run accident. Given the circumstances, it’s essential to stay as calm as possible. You’ll want to act quickly so that you and any passengers receive compensation for resulting injuries and vehicle damage.
After a hit-and-run, first check if everyone in the vehicle is OK. If you can, exit the car safely, but don’t leave the scene. Call 911 immediately to report your accident as well as any injuries and roadblocks preventing you from exiting the vehicle. If you can’t exit the car, wait until first responders arrive so they can retrieve you.
Once you’re safe, document everything you can remember about the vehicle that fled the scene of the accident, including the car’s color, make, and model. Include the full or partial license plate number if you remember it, along with a description of the driver.
Photograph all angles of your car where you have damage.1 Ask witnesses for details. If you physically can’t document the damage on your own, ask for help from law enforcement at the scene or call a friend. Ask for a copy of the police report so that you can submit this along with your claim to your insurance company.
After you gather your documentation, it’s time to file your insurance claim. Auto insurers may allow you to file your claim over the phone, on your desktop, or through a mobile app. If you want to speak to a person, call the phone number on your insurance card and ask to speak to the claims department. You can also call your insurance agent if you have one.
An insurance adjuster will likely contact you regarding your claim and provide general information about the claims process. Upon approving your claim, your insurance company will send you a payment.
This may take up to 30 or 60 days, though the exact timing depends on your insurance company. You can use your insurance payout to help pay for your vehicle replacement or services at a repair shop.
Car insurance can cover a hit-and-run incident, but it depends on how much and what types of coverage you have. You need to choose auto insurance that’ll cover you when you need it most.
If your state requires you to purchase uninsured motorist coverage, you may not need to purchase more than the state’s minimum liability insurance requirements to ensure protection in the event of a hit-and-run.
In most cases, you’ll need to purchase additional insurance beyond liability coverage, so you should understand how the following types of coverage can protect you. Collision, uninsured/underinsured motorist, personal injury protection (PIP), and medical payments insurance can cover you in the event of a hit-and-run accident.
The following types of insurance can cover damages and injury in the event of a hit-and-run accident:
Yes, you typically have to pay your deductible after a hit-and-run, even though you aren’t the at-fault driver. If you have collision insurance — which can cover a hit-and-run accident — you’ll have to pay your deductible when you file a claim before receiving a payout. Your uninsured motorist coverage likely has a deductible as well, though the amount depends on where you live.
Unfortunately, a hit-and-run accident can affect your insurance rates, depending on your insurer, the size of your claim, and your level of fault in the accident. Especially if you did cause the crash, your insurer will typically take measures to protect itself, which can include increasing your premium to adjust for any new risks you pose.
If you’re not at fault for the accident, you may only face a small increase — or no increase at all. For example, you may lose a discount for having a clean record or remaining accident-free. Your rate change after a hit-and-run accident can also depend on state laws, your auto insurance policy terms, and whether you have other recent claims.2
It’s essential to understand how your current insurance coverage works and how much coverage you need in case you experience a hit-and-run. If you have questions about your coverage, you can review it while referencing the following questions.
Car insurance can cover a hit-and-run, as long as you have the right insurance.
Collision insurance can help pay for car repairs and a rental car following an accident, regardless of fault. Uninsured motorist bodily injury and property damage insurance can also cover your vehicle in the event of a hit-and-run or an accident with an uninsured driver. Medical payments and personal injury protection insurance can also cover some damages. State-minimum coverage won’t typically cover your vehicle damages.
Yes. You should report any car accidents, including a hit-and-run, to your insurance company. You have to file a claim to receive an insurance payout to cover your damages. It’s a good idea to file a claim as the victim of a hit-and-run because, if you have the applicable insurance policy, your insurer can help pay for your medical costs and personal property.
A hit-and-run is typically a misdemeanor offense, though the specific conviction may vary depending on the state you live in, the severity of the accident, and the extent of bodily harm caused. In some cases, drivers may receive a felony charge.
Collision and uninsured motorist property damage coverage can pay for vehicle damage caused by a hit-and-run, even if the damage occurs to a parked car and doesn’t result in any injuries. Filing a police report and gathering evidence will help your insurance claim go smoothly and get you back on the road.
Generally, you don’t have a set time limit to file a claim, but your state may require you to file it within a time frame of 30 or 60 days. But you should always file your claim as soon as possible. The longer you take to file, the more likely your insurance company may deny it.
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