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 car insurance covers you in the wake of a hit and run as well as how a hit and run affects the perpetrator's insurance rates if they're caught.
Key Takeaways
- A hit-and-run accident should be covered as long as you carry collision and uninsured motorist coverage on your auto policy
- If your vehicle is financed or leased, you probably already have this coverage in place
- If you're the victim of a hit-and-run accident, try to get the license plate number and call the police immediately after the incident
- If you've been charged with an at-fault accident or hit-and-run, expect your insurance rates to rise significantly
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 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 coverage and uninsured property damage (UMPD) are designed to cover damage to your vehicle. Each comes with a deductible. However, the difference lies in the fault. In the case of an accident, collision coverage denotes fault to an insurance company. This is why you’ll often see a premium increase after filing a collision claim.
By definition, UMPD covers you against the actions of an uninsured driver. Thus, you shouldn’t receive a substantial — more than a few percentage points — rate increase after filing a UMPD claim.
While your insurance agent might say collision and UMPD are basically the same, you should ask about the potential rate hike you would face after a UMPD claim vs. a collision claim to fully understand the difference.
| Increase at 6 months | Increase at 12 months | Increase at 3 Years |
|---|---|---|
| +$309 | +$617 | +$1,851 |
What to do after a hit and run
Being victimized in a hit and run can be a nightmare, but your car insurance after 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 damages and the police report.
Note the license plate number, call the police, take photos and contact your insurance company.
For more information, check out our step-by-step guide to what to do after a hit and run as well as our guide to filing an insurance claim.
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.
| 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 |
Dynamic auto insurance data methodology
Methodology: The auto insurance rates displayed above and throughout this page are dynamic, meaning the data will refresh when the most recent information is made available. Rates are based on a sample driver profile — a 30-year-old single male driver with a Honda Accord and full coverage. This profile was adjusted based on common pricing factors used by major car insurance companies, like age, coverage level, driving record and others.
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.
| 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 |
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.
If you have a hit-and-run conviction on your car insurance record, this will be one of the most expensive tickets you can receive. On average, your insurance premium will increase by about 82%. Your best option for finding cheap insurance going forward will be to shop around. Enter your zip code below to see insurance rates designed for your record.
Compare rates from leading insurance companies.
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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 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.