When the driver who hit you doesn't stop, the claim path changes immediately — there's no other driver's insurance to file against unless and until that driver is identified. Here's how these claims actually get resolved.

Immediate Steps

  • 01
    Call the police right away. A hit-and-run is a criminal matter as well as a civil claim, and a prompt report gives investigators the best chance of identifying the fleeing vehicle.
  • 02
    Write down anything you noticed about the other vehicle — color, make, partial plate, direction of travel — before the details fade from memory.
  • 03
    Look for cameras. Nearby businesses, doorbell cameras, and traffic cameras have identified hit-and-run drivers well after police canvassing turned up nothing.
  • 04
    Get medical attention and document everything exactly as you would for any other collision.

    • Filing With Your Own Insurer

    If the at-fault driver is never identified, your claim typically proceeds through your own policy's uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, which exists specifically for situations where there's no identifiable or insured driver to pursue. Our full guide on UM/UIM claims covers how these policies work and what they typically cover.

    Not every state requires UM coverage, and policy limits vary widely, so it's worth reviewing your own declarations page early rather than assuming coverage exists.

    What Happens If the Driver Is Later Found

    If police identify the driver after your UM claim is already underway, your case may shift toward a standard liability claim against that driver's own policy, and any amount already paid under your UM coverage is typically reconciled against what's recovered from the at-fault driver's insurer, depending on your policy's specific subrogation terms.

    Reporting Deadlines Matter More Here

    Many UM policies require prompt notice of a hit-and-run — sometimes within days, not the years typically allowed under your state's general statute of limitations — because insurers want the opportunity to investigate identification of the fleeing driver while evidence is fresh. Check your policy's notice requirements immediately, separate from the broader deadlines in our state-by-state statute of limitations guide.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Will my insurance rates go up after a hit-and-run claim I didn't cause? +

    Rules vary by insurer and state, but many carriers treat a not-at-fault UM claim differently from an at-fault claim for rating purposes. Ask your insurer directly how a hit-and-run UM claim is classified before assuming a rate increase.

    What if there were no witnesses and no cameras? +

    A claim can still proceed through UM coverage even without an identified driver, since that coverage exists precisely for unidentified-driver situations — the police report documenting the hit-and-run is typically the key piece of evidence in that case.

    This article is educational only and not legal advice. Consult a licensed personal injury attorney in your state before making decisions about your claim.