Hit-and-run accidents are typically covered if you have collision and uninsured motorist coverage, which is often required for financed or leased vehicles. If you’re a victim, it’s important to record the license plate and contact the police right away. However, being found at fault or charged in a hit-and-run can cause your insurance rates to increase sharply.
Hit-and-Run Car Insurance Coverage
Collision and uninsured motorist property damage coverage can pay for repairs and medical expenses if you’re involved in a hit-and-run accident.
Reviewed By Renata Balasco
Edited By Beth Swanson
Hit-and-run car insurance
If you’ve been the victim of a hit-and-run car accident, you're familiar with the anger and confusion that follows. Unfortunately, these incidents are fairly common, so it’s important to understand the auto insurance implications of a hit-and-run. Let’s take a look at the steps to take to ensure your insurance covers you in the wake of a hit-and-run, as well as how a hit-and-run affects the perpetrator's car insurance quotes if they're caught.
💡 Zebra tip:Â
Does car insurance cover hit-and-run incidents?
Car insurance does cover hit-and-run accidents, as long as you carry collision or uninsured property damage (UMPD) coverage. While these coverage options are not legally required, they’re fairly common. If your vehicle is leased or financed, you probably have this coverage by default.
While many insurance agents say collision and uninsured property damage coverages are identical, that's not always true. Collision claims are denoted as a fault and often result in rate hikes, while UMPD claims do not.Â
Collision coverage
- Covers damage to your vehicle
- Comes with a deductible
- Fault is considered
- Rates increase substantially after a collision claim
Uninsured motorist coverage
- Covers damage to your vehicle against the actions of an uninsured driver
- Comes with a deductible
- Small increases to premiums after UMPD claim
| Increase at 6 months | Increase at 12 months | Increase at 3 Years |
|---|---|---|
| +$309 | +$617 | +$1,851 |
If you are injured in a hit-and-run, you can also use medical payments coverage or personal injury protection (PIP) if applicable. Neither of these coverages is fault-based and can help with medical bills. PIP is only available in certain states, and medical payments are not subject to a deductible.Â
What to do after a hit-and-run
Being victimized in a hit-and-run can be a nightmare, but your car insurance afterward should be a steady and reliable source of protection. While there is a lot to consider, the big things to keep in mind after a hit-and-run include:
- If the other driver flees the scene, call the police. A license plate number or vehicle description will be important.
- Take photos of the accident and resulting damages.
- Call your insurance company and provide pictures of the damage and the police report.
What to do after a hit and run: 5 steps you need to know
What should you do after a hit and run? Check yourself and others for injuries. Call 911. Write down what you remember....
Cheapest hit-and-run car insurance coverage
If you’ve been charged with committing a hit-and-run violation, expect your car insurance premium to rise drastically. On average, your premium will increase by over 82%, making it the most expensive violation you can receive. Considering most insurance companies will charge you for three to five years after a serious violation, you could end up paying a penalty of an extra $1,200 per year in additional premiums alone.
Below are estimated car insurance rates for a driver with a hit-and-run on his or her record.
Updating data...
| Company | Avg. Annual Premium | Avg. Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| USAA | $2,567 | $214 |
| State Farm | $2,621 | $218 |
| Farmers | $2,823 | $235 |
| Progressive | $2,857 | $238 |
| Nationwide | $3,064 | $255 |
| GEICO | $3,192 | $266 |
| Allstate | $3,520 | $293 |
Source: The Zebra
The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool data methodology
The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool for home and auto insurance rates utilizes the latest ZIP code-level rate filings from across the U.S., sourced from Quadrant Information Services and S&P Global. These filings, typically updated annually or biennially by insurers, are verified through Quadrant’s QA process and then integrated into The Zebra’s estimator.
The displayed rates are based on a dynamic home and auto profile designed to reflect the content of the page. This profile is tailored to match specific factors such as age, location, and coverage level, which are adjusted based on the page content to show how these variables can impact premiums.
For a comprehensive understanding, see our detailed methodology.
Getting car insurance after committing a hit-and-run will be very expensive (even pricier than being charged with an at-fault accident). Below are insurance rates from the same auto insurance companies after different at-fault accident scenarios and violations.
Updating data...
| Accident/Violation | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| Speeding 16 - 20 MPH over limit | $2,190 |
| At-fault accident - greater than $2000 | $2,605 |
| Reckless driving | $3,187 |
| Racing | $3,291 |
| DUI | $3,441 |
| Leaving scene of an accident/hit and run | $3,476 |
Source: The Zebra
Summary: car insurance with a hit-and-run
Car insurance after a hit-and-run can be a difficult process. Talk to your auto insurance provider and understand your coverage options. If you have uninsured motorist property damage coverage, use it. While this will come with a deductible, the rate increase will cost less than a collision claim. If your insurance company does increase your rate significantly after a hit-and-run claim, you should consider shopping around for car insurance. You shouldn’t be paying for a claim you did not cause.
Compare rates from leading insurance companies.
Hit-and-run car insurance FAQs:
RECENT QUESTIONS
Other people are also asking...
Who pays for hit and run damage if there's no UMPD coverage in NY?
Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) is not a coverage that is offered in New York. If your policy has collision coverage, you can now use that to repair any damages from a hit-and-run. Or if the situation calls for it, you can also take legal action against the at-fault party. For more inform…
Will a hit and run impact my car insurance premium in CA?
Yes, when your company has to pay out on a claim, it will impact your rates. If you file a police report and have uninsured motorist property damage coverage, this coverage will pay for the damages and will be considered a not-at-fault accident. Not-at-fault accidents will stay on your record for u…
Should I file a claim if my car was side-swiped?
Sorry to hear about your situation. There are several factors to consider before filing a claim. First, do you have collision coverage? In this case, you must have collision coverage for the damages to be covered. Second, is the cost of the damages worth filing a claim? If you file a claim, you wil…
Is a hit and run a comprehensive or collision claim?
It would be covered under collision coverage. Collision covers damages anytime the car collides with another object. Comprehensive coverage will cover other damages to the car that does not involve a collision such as fire, theft, or vandalism. Since it was a hit-and-run, you can also use uninsured…
About The Zebra
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
- The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
- The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
- The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.