What happens when you file a hit and run claim
A hit and run claim is filed with your own insurance company, not the other driver's, because you cannot identify who hit you. Your insurer will pay for repairs or a total loss settlement from your collision or comprehensive coverage — whichever applies — minus your deductible. The police report becomes part of your claim file, and your insurer will investigate whether the other vehicle can be traced through traffic cameras, witness statements, or paint transfer analysis.
The key difference from a normal collision claim is that you are claiming against your own policy rather than pursuing the at-fault driver's coverage. This means your claim will count toward your loss history and may affect your renewal rate, even though you were not at fault. Some states allow you to file under an uninsured motorist clause instead, which may protect your rates better — but that option depends on your policy language and your state's rules.
Key Takeaways
- You file a hit and run claim with your own insurance company using your collision or comprehensive coverage, not the other driver's policy.
- A police report is required by most insurers and strengthens your claim by documenting the incident and creating an official record.
- Your deductible applies to the claim payout, and the claim may affect your renewal rate even though you were not at fault.
- Some states allow uninsured motorist coverage to cover hit and run damage, which may result in a better rate outcome than a collision claim.
- Your insurer will investigate whether the other vehicle can be identified through cameras, witnesses, or physical evidence from the scene.
Filing the police report first
Call the police non-emergency line or visit the station to file a report before you contact your insurance company. Provide the location, date, time, and a description of what happened — the direction the other vehicle was traveling, its color, size, and any visible damage or license plate information. If there were witnesses, get their names and phone numbers. If the hit occurred in a parking lot, ask the business or property manager whether they have security footage and request the time range when the incident occurred.
Request a copy of the police report number or the full report itself. Your insurer will ask for this, and having it in hand speeds up the claim process. Some police departments provide the report online through a case number; others mail it or require you to pick it up in person. Do not wait for the report to arrive before calling your insurer — you can file the claim and provide the report number later.
Contacting your insurance company and starting the claim
Call your insurer's claims line, which is usually on the back of your insurance card. Have your policy number, the police report number, and details about the damage ready. Tell the representative that this is a hit and run claim and provide the date, time, and location of the incident. The representative will ask whether anyone was injured, whether you have collision or comprehensive coverage, and what your deductible is.
Your insurer will assign a claims adjuster who will contact you to schedule an inspection of your vehicle. Some insurers use their own repair shops; others allow you to choose. The adjuster will photograph the damage, estimate repair costs, and determine whether the vehicle is a total loss. If it is a total loss, the insurer will offer a settlement based on the vehicle's actual cash value minus your deductible.
Collision versus comprehensive coverage for hit and run
Most hit and run claims are filed under collision coverage, which covers damage from impact with another vehicle. However, some policies and states classify hit and run as comprehensive coverage, which covers damage from events outside your control — theft, weather, vandalism, and sometimes hit and run. The distinction matters because comprehensive coverage often has a lower deductible than collision, and in some states it does not count against your rate as heavily.
Check your policy documents or call your insurer to confirm which coverage applies to hit and run in your state and under your specific policy. If your policy allows you to choose, comprehensive may be the better route. If your state allows uninsured motorist coverage to explore to hit and run, that is sometimes the best option because it may not trigger a rate increase at all — but this varies by state and by insurer.
Deductibles and what you will pay out of pocket
Your deductible is the amount you pay toward repairs before your insurance pays the rest. If your deductible is $500 and repairs cost $3,000, you pay $500 and your insurer pays $3,000. If repairs cost less than your deductible, you pay the full amount and your insurer pays nothing. If the vehicle is a total loss and the actual cash value is $8,000 with a $1,000 deductible, you receive $7,000.
Some insurers offer a $0 deductible for comprehensive claims in certain states, and a few offer accident forgiveness that prevents a rate increase after a hit and run. These options vary widely and depend on your policy, your state, and your insurer. Review your policy or ask your agent whether either option is available to you before you file.
How hit and run claims affect your insurance rate
A hit and run claim is typically treated as a not-at-fault loss, which means your insurer may not raise your rate or may raise it less than they would for an at-fault accident. However, the claim still appears on your record and can affect your renewal premium. Some insurers raise rates for any claim; others do not raise rates for not-at-fault claims. A few states prohibit rate increases for not-at-fault losses, but most do not.
When your policy renews, your insurer will review your claims history. If you have had other claims in the past three to five years, the hit and run claim combined with those may result in a higher rate. Shop around at renewal — other insurers may offer better rates despite the claim on your record. Some insurers specialize in drivers with recent claims and may quote lower than your current company.
What to do if the other driver is found
If the police locate the other driver or your insurer's investigation identifies them, your insurer may pursue a subrogation claim — a legal action to recover what they paid from the at-fault driver's insurance. You do not have to do anything; your insurer handles this. If subrogation is successful, your deductible may be refunded to you, and the claim may be removed from your record or reclassified as an at-fault loss against the other driver's policy.
Subrogation can take months or years and is not always successful, especially if the other driver's insurer disputes liability or if the other driver is uninsured. Do not count on subrogation to recover your deductible or to prevent a rate increase. Treat the claim as final once you receive your settlement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to file a police report to claim hit and run insurance?
Most insurers require a police report as a condition of paying a hit and run claim. Some may make exceptions if you have strong evidence from witnesses or security footage, but filing a report is the safest approach. The report documents the incident and creates an official record that protects you if your insurer investigates.
Will my insurance rate go up after a hit and run claim?
It depends on your insurer and your state. Hit and run is usually classified as not-at-fault, so many insurers do not raise rates or raise them minimally. However, the claim still appears on your record and can affect renewal pricing. Some states prohibit rate increases for not-at-fault losses; most do not. Contact your insurer to ask about their specific policy.
What if I do not have collision coverage?
If you have only liability coverage, hit and run damage is not covered. You would have to pay for repairs out of pocket. Comprehensive coverage alone also does not cover hit and run in most cases — you need collision or a policy that specifically includes hit and run under comprehensive. Review your policy or call your insurer to confirm what you have.
Can I claim hit and run if I do not know where my car was hit?
You can file a claim, but your insurer will likely deny it without evidence that a hit and run occurred. If you discover damage but did not witness the incident, take photos, check for security cameras at the location, and ask nearby businesses or residents whether they saw anything. A police report strengthens your claim even if you did not see the other vehicle.
How long do I have to file a hit and run claim?
Most insurers require you to report a claim within 30 days of the incident, though some allow longer. Check your policy or call your insurer when ready after the incident to confirm the important date. Delaying a report can give your insurer grounds to deny the claim, especially if they suspect you waited to file.