Your insurance may cover a hit-and-run accident, but the type of coverage matters
Whether your insurance pays for a hit-and-run depends on what type of coverage you have. If you carry collision insurance, your policy will typically cover the damage to your car regardless of whether the other driver is found — you'll pay your deductible and the insurer covers the rest. If you only have liability insurance, which is the minimum required in most states, you have no coverage for your own vehicle damage in a hit-and-run. Comprehensive insurance does not cover hit-and-runs; it covers theft, weather, and vandalism instead.
The key distinction is that hit-and-run damage is treated as a collision claim, not a comprehensive claim, because your car struck something or was struck by another vehicle. This matters because collision claims and comprehensive claims often have different deductibles, and some people choose higher deductibles on collision to lower their premiums.
Key Takeaways
- Collision insurance covers hit-and-run damage; comprehensive insurance does not, even though the names might suggest otherwise.
- You will need to file a police report and provide it to your insurer before they will process a hit-and-run claim.
- Your deductible applies to the claim, so if your deductible is $1,000 and repairs cost $2,500, you pay $1,000 and insurance pays $1,500.
- If you have only liability insurance, you have no coverage for your own vehicle damage and will pay for repairs out of pocket.
Why a police report is required before your insurer will pay
Insurance companies require a police report for hit-and-run claims because they need to verify that the accident actually happened and that you did not cause the damage yourself. A police report creates an official record with a report number, the officer's observations, and the location and time of the incident. Without this documentation, an insurer has no way to confirm the claim is legitimate.
You should call the police non-emergency line or visit your local police station to file a report as soon as possible after the accident. Bring photos of the damage, the location where it happened, and any witness information. When you contact your insurance company, have the police report number ready — the insurer will request it, and you may need to provide a copy of the full report.
Some people hesitate to file a police report because they worry about the time involved or because the damage seems minor. However, without the report, your insurer will deny the claim. Filing the report protects you and is the only path to coverage.
How your deductible works in a hit-and-run claim
Your deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance covers the rest. If your collision deductible is $500 and repairs cost $3,000, you pay $500 and your insurer pays $2,500. If repairs cost only $400, your insurer pays nothing because the damage is less than your deductible.
Many people choose a higher deductible — $750, $1,000, or more — to lower their monthly premium. This is a reasonable choice if you have savings to cover the deductible in an emergency, but it means you'll pay more out of pocket if a hit-and-run happens. Review your current deductible by checking your policy documents or calling your insurer.
What happens if you only have liability insurance
Liability insurance covers damage you cause to someone else's car or property. It does not cover damage to your own vehicle. If you have only liability insurance and are hit by a driver who leaves the scene, you have no coverage through your own policy, even if the other driver is later found.
In this situation, you can pursue a claim against the other driver's insurance if they are identified, but you cannot file a claim with your own insurer. You will need to pay for repairs yourself, use a payment plan with a repair shop, or pursue the other driver in small claims court if you know who they are. Some states have uninsured motorist funds that may help, but these vary widely and typically require you to meet specific conditions.
If you have only liability insurance, adding collision coverage is worth considering, especially if you have a newer car or a loan on the vehicle. Lenders typically require collision insurance as a condition of financing.
The claims process after a hit-and-run
After you file a police report, contact your insurance company and tell them you want to file a hit-and-run claim. Have your policy number, the police report number, and photos of the damage ready. The insurer will assign an adjuster who will review the damage, often by inspecting the car in person or reviewing photos you provide.
The adjuster will estimate the cost of repairs and compare it to your deductible. If the estimate is $2,000 and your deductible is $500, the insurer will authorize $1,500 in repairs. You can choose your own repair shop or use one the insurer recommends. Once repairs are complete, you pay your deductible to the shop and the insurer pays their portion directly to the shop.
The entire process typically takes two to four weeks from the time you file the claim to the time repairs are authorized. If the damage is severe or the estimate is high, it may take longer.
Whether filing a claim affects your rates
A hit-and-run claim is a not-at-fault accident, meaning you did not cause the damage. Most insurers do not raise your rates for not-at-fault claims, though some may explore a small surcharge depending on your state and your specific policy. Liability claims and at-fault collision claims are much more likely to raise your rates.
Before you file a claim, you can call your insurer and ask whether a hit-and-run claim will affect your premium. Some people choose to pay for minor repairs out of pocket to avoid any potential rate increase, though this is a personal decision based on the cost of repairs and your financial situation.
What to do if the other driver is later identified
If police identify the hit-and-run driver after you file a claim with your own insurer, your insurer may pursue a subrogation claim against the other driver's insurance. Subrogation means your insurer tries to recover the money they paid for your repairs from the at-fault driver's insurer. This process happens behind the scenes and does not require action from you.
If subrogation is successful, your insurer may refund your deductible. However, subrogation is not may provide, especially if the other driver's insurance company disputes liability or if the other driver is uninsured. Your insurer will handle this process, and you do not need to pursue it yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to file a police report to get insurance to pay?
Yes. Your insurer will not process a hit-and-run claim without a police report number. The report is the only way to document that the accident happened and that you were not at fault. File the report as soon as possible after the accident.
Will my insurance rates go up if I file a hit-and-run claim?
Most insurers do not raise rates for not-at-fault claims, but some may explore a small surcharge depending on your state and policy. Call your insurer before filing to ask whether a hit-and-run claim will affect your premium. Minor repairs may cost less than a rate increase over time.
What if I don't know who hit my car?
You still file a hit-and-run claim with your collision insurance. The police report documents that you do not know the other driver's identity. Your insurer will process the claim based on the damage and the police report, even if the other driver is never found.
Can I use my comprehensive insurance for a hit-and-run instead of collision?
No. Comprehensive insurance covers theft, vandalism, weather, and animal strikes — not collisions. Hit-and-run damage is classified as a collision claim because your car was struck by another vehicle. You must have collision insurance to cover this type of damage.
What if my repair costs are less than my deductible?
Your insurer will not pay anything. If repairs cost $400 and your deductible is $500, you pay the full $400 yourself. This is why some people with high deductibles choose to pay for minor damage out of pocket rather than file a claim.