To file a car insurance claim after a hit and run, first make sure everyone is safe, call 911 if anyone is hurt, move to a safe place if you can, and contact the police as soon as possible. Do not chase the fleeing driver. Try to write down the license plate number, vehicle color, make, model, direction of travel, and any driver details you saw. Then take photos, collect witness names, look for nearby cameras, and call your insurance company quickly.
The NAIC advises drivers to call the police promptly if a car is damaged by a hit and run driver or stolen. It also says you should contact your insurer using the number on your proof of insurance card or through the insurer’s mobile app.
Your claim may be covered by uninsured motorist coverage, collision coverage, medical payments coverage, personal injury protection, or comprehensive coverage, depending on your state, policy, and the type of damage. NAIC explains that many auto policies include liability, property damage liability, and uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.
The most important steps are simple. Get a police report. Report the claim fast. Share every detail with your insurer. Keep repair estimates, medical records, photos, dash cam footage, and witness information. Laws vary by state, and some policies require quick notice after a hit and run, so do not delay.
What Counts as a Hit and Run?
A hit and run happens when a driver causes a crash and leaves without stopping, giving information, or helping injured people. It can involve a moving crash, a parked car, a pedestrian, a cyclist, or property damage.
Common examples include:
- A driver hits your parked car and leaves
- A car sideswipes your vehicle and drives away
- A driver rear ends you and flees
- A vehicle hits a pedestrian and leaves
- A driver damages a fence, mailbox, or garage and leaves
- A car hits your vehicle in a parking lot and no note is left
A hit and run can be stressful because you may not know who caused the damage. This is why evidence matters so much.
Step 1. Check for Injuries and Stay Safe
Your safety comes first. Before thinking about the claim, check yourself, passengers, pedestrians, and anyone nearby.
If there are injuries:
- Call 911
- Ask for medical help
- Do not move seriously injured people unless there is danger
- Turn on hazard lights
- Move to a safer area if the vehicle can be moved safely
If the accident happened on a highway, busy road, or dark area, stay away from traffic. Your claim can wait. Your safety cannot.
NHTSA reported that 42,514 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes in the United States in 2022, which shows why every crash should be treated seriously.
Step 2. Do Not Chase the Driver
It may feel natural to follow the driver, but do not chase them. Chasing can lead to another crash, road rage, or personal danger. It can also make the claim more confusing.
Instead, try to remember:
Detail | Why it helps |
License plate | Strongest way to identify the vehicle |
State on plate | Helps police search records |
Vehicle make and model | Helps narrow the search |
Vehicle color | Useful for camera review |
Damage location | Helps match the fleeing car |
Direction of travel | Helps police or cameras track it |
Driver description | Helpful if safely observed |
Even one detail can help. A partial plate plus vehicle color may still be useful.
Step 3. Call the Police and Get a Report
A police report is very important in a hit and run claim. Many insurers ask for it before treating the claim as a hit and run.
When speaking with the officer, share facts only. Do not guess.
Tell police:
- Where the crash happened
- What time it happened
- How the other vehicle hit you
- What direction it went
- Any plate number or partial plate
- Names and numbers of witnesses
- Nearby cameras or businesses
- Any injuries or damage
Ask how to get a copy of the police report or report number. Save the officer’s name, badge number, agency name, and case number if available.
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Step 4. Take Photos and Videos
Photos can help your insurer understand what happened. Take clear photos before repairs begin.
Capture:
- Damage to your car
- Wide shots of the accident scene
- Street signs and traffic lights
- Skid marks or broken parts
- Paint transfer from the other car
- Debris on the road
- Nearby cameras
- Injuries if appropriate
- Weather and road conditions
- Parking space markings if it happened in a lot
If your phone records location data, keep the original photos. Do not edit them before sending to your insurer.
Step 5. Look for Witnesses and Cameras
Witnesses can make a claim stronger. Ask nearby people if they saw the crash. Get their name, phone number, email, and a short statement if they are willing.
Also check for cameras from:
- Gas stations
- Stores
- Homes
- Parking garages
- Traffic cameras
- Dash cams
- Doorbell cameras
- Business security systems
Do this quickly. Some camera systems delete footage after a short time.
Step 6. Contact Your Insurance Company
Call your insurance company as soon as possible. The NAIC says drivers should file a claim by calling the number on the proof of insurance card, and many insurers also allow claims through mobile apps.
Have this ready:
Information | Why it matters |
Policy number | Helps open the claim |
Police report number | Supports hit and run status |
Date and time | Helps confirm coverage |
Location | Helps claim review |
Photos and videos | Supports damage review |
Witness details | Helps investigation |
Repair estimate | Helps determine payment |
Medical records | Helps injury claim |
Dash cam footage | May identify the driver |
Ask your insurer which coverage applies and whether your deductible applies.
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Step 7. Know Which Coverage May Pay
Hit and run claims can involve different coverage types. Your policy and state law decide what applies.
Coverage type | What it may cover after a hit and run |
Collision coverage | Damage to your car after a crash |
Uninsured motorist property damage | Vehicle damage in some states |
Uninsured motorist bodily injury | Injuries caused by an unknown or uninsured driver |
Personal injury protection | Medical bills and related costs in no fault states |
Medical payments coverage | Medical costs after a covered accident |
Rental reimbursement | Rental car cost after a covered claim |
Collision coverage often helps when the fleeing driver is not found, but your deductible may apply. Uninsured motorist property damage may help in some states, but not every state offers it and some states have special rules for unknown drivers.
For a simple coverage breakdown, review car insurance coverage.
Step 8. Get a Repair Estimate
Your insurer may ask you to use an approved repair network, submit photos through an app, or visit a claims inspection center. You can ask whether you have the right to choose your own repair shop because rules vary by state.
Before repairs start:
- Ask for a written estimate
- Ask if hidden damage may be found later
- Ask how supplements are handled
- Ask whether parts are original, aftermarket, or used
- Ask how long repairs may take
- Ask if rental coverage applies
If the damage is severe, the insurer may inspect whether the car is a total loss. If that happens, learn how value is reviewed through how auto insurance companies determine car value.
Step 9. Track Medical Care
If you are injured, get medical care quickly. Some injuries feel worse after a day or two. Keep every bill, diagnosis, prescription, therapy note, and doctor instruction.
Track:
- Emergency room visits
- Urgent care visits
- Doctor appointments
- Physical therapy
- Imaging reports
- Prescriptions
- Missed work days
- Travel costs for treatment
Do not ignore pain because the crash looked minor. Medical documentation can matter if you file an injury claim.
Step 10. Follow Up Until the Claim Closes
After filing, keep a simple claim folder. Save emails, claim numbers, adjuster names, estimates, police reports, medical bills, and receipts.
Ask your adjuster:
- Which coverage is being used?
- Does a deductible apply?
- Is the claim listed as not at fault?
- Do you need more evidence?
- Can repair work begin?
- Will rental coverage apply?
- What is the expected next step?
If the fleeing driver is later found, your insurer may try to recover money from that driver or their insurer. This process is called subrogation. If recovery is successful, you may get your deductible back, but it is not guaranteed.
Will a Hit and Run Claim Raise Your Insurance?
It might, but not always. Rate impact depends on your state, insurer, coverage type, claim history, fault rules, and whether the other driver is found. Some states limit surcharges for not at fault claims, while others allow more rating flexibility.
Your premium may be affected by:
- Prior claims
- Number of recent accidents
- State laws
- Claim amount
- Whether injuries were involved
- Whether your insurer paid under collision
- Your overall risk profile
Do not avoid filing only because you fear a rate increase. If damage or injuries are serious, a claim may protect you from larger out of pocket costs.
If you want ways to manage future premiums, read save money on car insurance.
What If the Hit and Run Happened to a Parked Car?
A parked car hit and run is common. If you find your car damaged and no note was left, treat it like a claim.
Steps to take:
- Take photos before moving the car
- Look for paint transfer
- Ask nearby businesses for camera footage
- Check doorbell cameras nearby
- File a police report
- Contact your insurer
- Ask whether collision or uninsured motorist property damage applies
If you only have liability coverage, your own parked car damage usually will not be covered by your policy.
What If You Only Have Liability Insurance?
Liability insurance usually pays for damage or injuries you cause to others. It does not repair your own car after a hit and run.
If you only have liability coverage:
Situation | Likely result |
Your car is damaged by unknown driver | Usually not covered by your policy |
You are injured | May depend on state and medical coverage |
The other driver is found | Their insurance may pay if they are insured |
You have no collision or uninsured coverage | You may pay repairs yourself |
To understand this better, review liability car insurance.
What Mistakes Should You Avoid?
Avoid these common hit and run claim mistakes:
- Leaving the scene too soon
- Chasing the other driver
- Forgetting to call police
- Waiting too long to notify insurance
- Failing to photograph damage
- Not looking for cameras quickly
- Throwing away repair receipts
- Admitting fault without facts
- Posting claim details online
- Accepting a settlement before knowing repair and medical costs
For more support during claim conversations, read how to deal with an insurance adjuster after a car accident.
Quick Hit and Run Claim Checklist
Use this simple checklist after the crash:
Step | Done |
Check for injuries | |
Call 911 if needed | |
Move to safety | |
Do not chase the driver | |
Write down vehicle details | |
Take photos and videos | |
Get witness information | |
Look for cameras | |
File a police report | |
Call your insurer | |
Save claim documents | |
Follow up with adjuster |
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you should file a police report. Many insurers request it before processing a hit and run claim. It also creates an official record of the crash.
It may, if you have the right coverage. Collision, uninsured motorist property damage, personal injury protection, medical payments, or uninsured motorist bodily injury may apply depending on your policy and state.
You may pay a deductible if your claim uses collision coverage. Some uninsured motorist property damage claims may have a lower deductible or no deductible, depending on your state and policy.
Take photos, check for cameras, ask witnesses, file a police report, and contact your insurer. Do not repair the car before documenting the damage.
Yes. A claim may be denied if there is no covered damage, no active coverage, late reporting, lack of evidence, policy exclusions, or facts that do not match the claim.
The deadline depends on your policy and state law. Report it as soon as possible because some policies require prompt notice and camera footage can disappear quickly.
Conclusion
A hit and run can feel unfair, but the right steps can protect your claim. Stay safe, call police, document every detail, look for witnesses and cameras, and contact your insurer quickly. Your coverage may depend on whether you carry collision, uninsured motorist coverage, personal injury protection, or medical payments coverage. Laws and claim rules vary by state, so read your policy and ask a licensed insurance professional when you are unsure. If you want to compare coverage options before or after a claim, Alias Insurance can help you review car insurance choices in a clear and simple way.
