Does Car Insurance Cover a Hit-and-Run?

Last Updated on December 30, 2025

Hit-and-run crashes are stressful and expensive—and they’re even worse when you’re left wondering whether your insurance will help. The truth is that hit-and-run coverage depends on what was damaged (your car vs. injuries) and what coverages you carry.

In many states, a hit-and-run is handled similarly to an accident with an uninsured driver because the at-fault driver can’t be identified or can’t provide insurance information.

Below is a clear breakdown of how car insurance can cover a hit-and-run, what to do right away, and how to file the right type of claim.

Key Takeaways

• Hit-and-run coverage depends on what happened: damage to your car is usually covered by collision or uninsured motorist property damage, while injuries may be covered by PIP/MedPay and/or uninsured motorist bodily injury.
• If you only have liability insurance, you may have little or no coverage for your own car after a hit-and-run.
• After a hit-and-run, file a police report, document the scene thoroughly, and collect witness info to strengthen your claim.
• A hit-and-run claim may or may not affect your premium—rules vary by state and insurer, and some discounts can be impacted even when you’re not at fault.

Does Car Insurance Cover a Hit-and-Run?

Car insurance can cover a hit-and-run—but not through basic liability coverage alone. Here’s the simplest way to think about it:

If you only carry state-minimum liability coverage, you may have little or no coverage for your own vehicle after a hit-and-run. That’s why it’s important to understand which optional coverages protect you.

Coverage That Can Pay for Hit-and-Run Vehicle Damage

Vehicle damage from a hit-and-run is usually paid through collision or uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD), depending on what you have on your policy and what’s available in your state.

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage helps pay to repair or replace your car after an accident involving an impact—regardless of who was at fault. That includes many hit-and-run scenarios (for example, someone sideswipes your car and drives off).

With collision, you typically pay your selected deductible and your insurer covers the rest up to your policy terms. If you’re unsure how deductibles work during the repair process, see: Do I pay my deductible before or after my car is fixed?

If the hit-and-run driver is later identified, your insurer may try to recover what it paid (a process called subrogation). In some cases, you may be reimbursed for your deductible—but timing and rules vary.

Uninsured Motorist Property Damage

Uninsured motorist property damage coverage (UMPD) can pay for damage to your vehicle caused by a driver who has no insurance—or an unknown driver in a hit-and-run.

UMPD rules vary a lot by state. In some places it isn’t offered, and in others it may require specific proof (like a police report, or confirmation that there was physical contact). If you have it, UMPD can sometimes be a more cost-effective route than collision—especially when deductibles or rate impacts differ.

What To Do After a Hit-and-Run

What you do in the first 10–30 minutes can make a major difference for safety, police reporting, and the strength of your insurance claim.

• Get to safety first. Pull over to a safe location if your vehicle is drivable. Turn on hazards and check for injuries.
• Call 911 if anyone is hurt. If injuries are possible, prioritize medical help.
• Call the police and file a report. Many insurers require a police report for hit-and-run claims. Share any details you have, including a license plate number from a hit-and-run, make/model, color, direction of travel, or identifying vehicle damage.
• Document everything. Take photos of all damage, the surrounding area, skid marks/debris, and any nearby cameras. The more evidence you gather for a car insurance claim, the smoother the process tends to be.
• Get witness information. Ask nearby people what they saw and collect names and phone numbers. If possible, learn how to get witness statements after a car accident so your insurer can follow up.
• Report the claim quickly. Provide your insurer with the police report number and any documentation you collected. Then follow your adjuster’s instructions and keep copies of everything.

Should You File Under Collision or Uninsured Motorist Property Damage?

If you have both collision and UMPD, your insurer may tell you either option could apply. While both can cover similar damage, the “best” choice often comes down to three practical differences:

• Deductible: Collision deductibles are chosen by you and can be higher. UMPD may have a different deductible (or, in some cases, none).
• Availability and rules: UMPD rules vary by state and may require specific proof (like a timely police report). Collision is more widely available and tends to be simpler to apply.
• Potential rate impact: Some companies treat these claims differently. It’s smart to ask your insurer what you can expect after a collision claim—see: How much will your rates rise after a collision claim?

Bottom line: if you’re unsure which path is better, ask your insurer which coverage applies in your state, what deductible you’ll owe, and whether either option changes your premium at renewal.

How Medical Bills Are Covered After a Hit-and-Run

When the at-fault driver is unknown, there’s no liability policy to bill right away—so your own coverage becomes the safety net. Here’s how car insurance can pay for medical bills after an accident when the other driver can’t be identified.

Personal injury protection (PIP) is one common option. PIP coverage can help pay medical expenses regardless of fault, and in some states it can also help with additional costs related to recovery.

If your injuries keep you from working, some policies and state systems may also help with lost wages after an accident.

Another important option is uninsured motorist bodily injury. Uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI) coverage may apply when an uninsured or unknown driver injures you or your passengers—often including hit-and-run crashes, depending on your state and policy terms.

Hit-and-Run While Your Car Is Parked

It’s common to discover damage later—like a dented bumper or scraped door in a parking lot—with no note left behind. In most cases, this is treated as a hit-and-run property damage claim. Here’s what to do if your car is hit when you are not there.

Coverage is often the same as any other hit-and-run: collision or UMPD for vehicle repairs (depending on your policy). If the incident happened in a parking lot, fault and evidence can be tricky—especially when there are no witnesses or cameras—so thorough documentation matters.

What Happens If You Commit a Hit-and-Run?

Leaving the scene of an accident is a serious offense. Beyond criminal penalties, a hit-and-run can create long-term insurance consequences.

If you are found at fault, your liability coverage may still have to pay for injuries and damage you caused—up to your policy limits—especially for injuries covered under bodily injury liability coverage. However, every policy has conditions and exclusions, and failing to cooperate with the claims process can create complications.

From an insurance standpoint, a hit-and-run is a major red flag. It can lead to steep premium increases (along with other factors in this list of common causes of car insurance rate increases)—and some insurers may decide not to renew your policy. In some situations, drivers worry about whether an insurance company can cancel a policy without notice, especially after serious violations.

Depending on your state and the severity of the crash, you may also be required to file an SR-22 (or similar proof of financial responsibility). If that applies, here’s what to expect: How long does an SR-22 last?

Will a Hit-and-Run Claim Raise Your Insurance Premiums?

It depends on your state, your insurer, and whether the claim is considered not-at-fault. Many insurers treat a hit-and-run claim like other not-at-fault losses, but some policies can still change pricing at renewal based on claims activity.

One thing to watch: even a not-at-fault claim can sometimes affect discount eligibility. For example, a claim could impact your eligibility for a claims-free discount, depending on the company.

FAQs on Hit-and-Run Accidents and Car Insurance

Final Word on Hit-and-Run Insurance Coverage

Car insurance can cover a hit-and-run—but the payout depends on your coverages. For vehicle repairs, the most common options are collision or uninsured motorist property damage. For injuries, PIP/MedPay and uninsured motorist bodily injury can be critical.

If you’re reviewing your policy, it helps to understand the difference between uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage and whether you need uninsured motorist coverage in your state.

The best move after any hit-and-run is to file a police report, document the scene, and contact your insurer quickly so you can confirm coverage and start repairs as soon as possible.