A hit and run claim is what you file with your own insurance company when another driver hits your car and leaves the scene
When someone hits your vehicle and drives away without stopping, you cannot get their insurance information or police report details to file a claim against them directly. Instead, you file a claim under the uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) or collision coverage portion of your own auto insurance policy. Your insurer then investigates and pays for repairs up to your policy limits, minus your deductible.
The key difference from a normal accident claim is that you are claiming against your own policy rather than the other driver's. This is why having uninsured motorist coverage matters — without it, you may have no way to recover repair costs unless you can identify the other vehicle.
Key Takeaways
- Report the hit and run to police and get a report number before contacting your insurance company, because insurers require a police report to process the claim.
- File your claim with your own insurer under uninsured motorist property damage or collision coverage, depending on which type of coverage your policy includes.
- Gather photos of the damage, any witness contact information, and details about where and when the hit and run occurred to support your claim.
- You will pay your deductible out of pocket, and your insurance company will cover the rest up to your policy limits.
- If you do not have uninsured motorist property damage coverage, you may only be able to claim under collision coverage, which also requires you to pay a deductible.
Why you need a police report before your insurance will pay
Insurance companies require a police report number before they will process a hit and run claim. This is not optional — without it, most insurers will deny the claim outright. The police report documents that a hit and run actually occurred and creates an official record that your insurer can reference during their investigation.
Call the police non-emergency line (not 911 unless someone is injured) and report the incident. Tell them the location, the time it happened, a description of the other vehicle if you saw it, and any damage to your car. The dispatcher will send an officer or may take your report over the phone, depending on your jurisdiction. You will receive a report number — write this down and keep it with your claim documents.
Some police departments allow you to file a report online through their website. Check your local police department's website to see if this option is available in your area. Either way, you need the report number before you contact your insurance company.
How to file a claim with your insurance company
Contact your insurance company's claims department by phone, through their mobile app, or online, depending on how your policy is set up. Have your police report number ready. Tell the representative that you have a hit and run claim and provide the report number when ready.
The claims adjuster will ask you for details: the date and time of the incident, the location, what you were doing when it happened, whether you saw the other vehicle, and whether there were witnesses. Be honest and specific. If you did not see the other car, say so — do not guess or speculate about what hit you.
The adjuster will also ask about your coverage. Confirm whether your policy includes uninsured motorist property damage coverage and what your deductible is. If you are unsure, ask the adjuster to review your policy with you. Some policies have separate deductibles for uninsured motorist claims versus collision claims.
What documentation to gather and submit
Take photos of all visible damage to your vehicle from multiple angles, including close-ups of dents, scratches, broken glass, or paint transfer. If the hit and run happened in a parking lot or on a street, photograph the location and any nearby property that might have been damaged. These photos become part of your claim file.
If anyone saw what happened, get their name, phone number, and email address. Witness statements carry significant weight with insurers because they corroborate your account. Write down what each witness saw, including a description of the other vehicle if they noticed one.
Collect any other relevant documents: your insurance policy, the police report, repair estimates from body shops, and a timeline of events. Your insurance company will request some of these; having them ready speeds up the process.
The difference between uninsured motorist property damage and collision coverage
Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) is specifically designed for hit and run situations and accidents with uninsured drivers. If your policy includes UMPD, this is usually your best option because the deductible is often lower than collision coverage. Some states require insurers to offer UMPD; others do not.
Collision coverage pays for damage to your car from any collision, including hit and runs, but the deductible is typically higher. If your policy does not include UMPD, collision coverage may be your only option for a hit and run claim.
Check your insurance documents or call your agent to find out which types of coverage you have. If you have both UMPD and collision, your adjuster will usually file under UMPD because the deductible is lower. You do not get to choose — your insurer decides which coverage applies.
What happens after you file: investigation and repair authorization
Once you file, the insurance company assigns an adjuster to investigate. The adjuster will review the police report, examine your vehicle, and contact any witnesses you provided. They may also check traffic camera footage if the hit and run occurred on a busy street or in a commercial area.
If the adjuster determines that a hit and run did occur and your claim is covered, they will authorize repairs. You can choose your own repair shop or use one from your insurer's network. Get a repair estimate from the shop and submit it to your adjuster for approval. Once approved, the shop can begin work.
The timeline from filing to repair authorization typically takes one to three weeks, depending on how quickly the adjuster can inspect your vehicle and review evidence. If your car is undrivable, ask your insurer about a rental car while repairs are underway — many policies include rental coverage.
Your deductible and out-of-pocket costs
You will pay your deductible directly to the repair shop when you pick up your vehicle. If your UMPD deductible is $500 and repairs cost $3,000, you pay $500 and your insurance covers $2,500. If repairs exceed your policy limits, you are responsible for the remainder.
Some policies have a $0 deductible for uninsured motorist claims in certain states, but this is not universal. Check your policy documents or ask your agent what your deductible is. If you cannot afford the deductible, discuss payment plans with the repair shop — many offer financing options.
What to do if the other driver is later identified
If police identify the hit and run driver after you have already filed a claim with your own insurer, notify your insurance company when ready. Provide the other driver's name, insurance information, and police report details. Your insurer may pursue a subrogation claim against the other driver's insurance to recover what they paid out, though this does not affect your claim.
In some cases, you may be able to file a separate claim against the other driver's insurance once they are identified. Your insurer can advise you on whether this is worth pursuing and what the timeline looks like.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use my insurance company's repair shop?
No. You can choose any licensed repair shop. Your insurer may have a network of preferred shops that offer discounts, but you are not required to use them. Get estimates from multiple shops and compare quality and price before deciding.
What if I do not have uninsured motorist coverage?
You can still file a claim under collision coverage if you have it. The deductible will likely be higher, and the process is the same. If you have neither UMPD nor collision coverage, you will have to pay for repairs out of pocket unless you can identify and sue the other driver.
Will my insurance rates go up after a hit and run claim?
Most insurers do not raise rates for hit and run claims because you were not at fault. However, rates vary by company and state. Contact your agent to ask about your specific policy and whether this claim will affect your premium.
How long does the whole process take?
From filing to completed repairs typically takes three to six weeks. The timeline depends on how quickly the adjuster inspects your vehicle, how busy the repair shop is, and whether parts need to be ordered. Ask your adjuster for an estimated completion date when repairs are authorized.
What if the repair estimate is higher than my policy limit?
Your insurance company will pay up to your policy limit, and you are responsible for any amount above that. You can negotiate with the repair shop, get a second estimate, or decide whether to proceed with partial repairs. Your adjuster can explain your options.