Does Insurance Cover Hit and Run
If you carry collision coverage, it pays for the damage even though the other driver can't be found.
Collision coverage is what pays
Your collision coverage pays to repair your car after a hit and run, the same way it would if you'd hit a pole. The other driver isn't there to bill, so your own insurer covers it under your policy instead of theirs.
If you only carry liability coverage, there's usually nothing to pay the claim. Liability covers damage you cause to someone else. It doesn't cover your own car. Some states require uninsured motorist property damage coverage, which can also apply here, but check your policy or ask your agent which coverage you actually carry.
Whether you have collision coverage
This is the coverage that matters most here. If you financed or leased your car, you likely already have it, since lenders usually require it. If you own the car outright and dropped collision at some point to save money, a hit and run is one of the situations where that choice costs you.
Check your declarations page for the word 'collision.' If it's not there, call your agent and ask directly whether you're covered for this. Don't assume based on what you remember choosing years ago.
Some policies also include uninsured motorist property damage, which can apply to a hit and run even without collision coverage. It varies by state and by insurer, so ask about this specifically rather than assuming one covers the other.
Your deductible still applies
Even with collision coverage, you pay your deductible before the insurer pays the rest. A hit and run claim is treated like any other collision claim in this respect, not as an exception.
Some insurers waive the deductible specifically for hit and run claims, but this isn't universal. Ask your insurer whether this applies to your policy before you assume it.
Report the incident to the police first. Most insurers require a police report to process a hit and run claim, since there's no other driver to confirm what happened. Get a report number and give it to your insurer when you file.
Questions people ask about this
Will my rates go up after a hit and run claim?
It depends on your insurer and whether they treat the claim as your fault. Because you didn't cause the accident, some insurers won't count it against you the way they would an at-fault claim. Ask your insurer directly how they classify hit and run claims before you file, so you know what to expect.
What if the other driver is found later?
Your insurer may seek reimbursement from the other driver's insurer once they're identified, and you could get your deductible back. This depends on the state and the circumstances, so ask your claims adjuster what happens if the driver is later found.
Do I need a police report for a hit and run claim?
Most insurers require one, since there's no other driver to confirm what happened. File a report as soon as possible after the incident and get a copy or a report number for your insurer.
Does hit and run coverage apply if my car is parked?
Collision coverage typically applies whether your car was parked or being driven, as long as another vehicle caused the damage and left the scene. Confirm this with your insurer, since some details can vary by policy.
What should I do at the scene of a hit and run?
Write down anything you remember about the other vehicle, check for witnesses or security cameras nearby, and call the police before you leave. The report you file at the scene often becomes the basis for your insurance claim.
See what collision and uninsured motorist coverage would cost you before your next renewal.
Pull out your declarations page this week and check whether you carry collision coverage and uninsured motorist property damage. If you're not sure what either term means on your policy, call your agent and ask them to walk through it with you. If you've already been in a hit and run, file a police report if you haven't, and give your insurer the report number when you open the claim. Ask your insurer directly whether your deductible is waived for hit and run claims and whether the claim will affect your rate. If you find you don't have collision coverage, this is a good time to compare quotes that include it before your next renewal.
