policy, but it could lead to lost discounts. For example, if you currently enjoy an “accident-free,” or “claim-free” discount, that will no longer apply.

Will a hit-and-run claim raise my insurance?

While the individual hit-and-run claim shouldn’t result in a rate increase, the

National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)

warns that claim frequency could affect your insurance premiums. That means if your hit-and-run claim isn’t the first you’ve filed on your policy during this policy period, it could result in increased car insurance premiums when combined with other claims on your insurance record.

If you were the hit-and-run driver, not only should you expect your car insurance rates to increase exponentially, but you’ll also face criminal charges that could include:

Misdemeanor or felony charge

Mandatory jail time

Fines

License suspension or revocation

Learn more:

What is the penalty for a Hit-and-Run with no injuries?

How to file a hit-and-run insurance claim

If police capture the person responsible and they have insurance coverage, you may not need to file a claim with your provider at all. Unfortunately, this process can take time, and if the offending driver isn’t insured, your only recourse will be a lengthy lawsuit.

To put it simply: If you’re the victim of a hit-and-run, you’ll probably need to file a claim on your own insurance to get the immediate financial assistance you need. Here’s how:

If the accident results in vehicle damage, your collision or UMPD can help with the cost of repairs or replacement.

If the accident resulted in injuries for you or passengers in your vehicle, UMBI, PIP, and/or MedPay could help.

In most cases,

filing an insurance claim

is as simple as making a phone call, but some car insurance companies also allow claims filing through their website or mobile apps. No matter which options you have, filing a claim is as simple as following your provider’s instructions.

NOTE: The single most important thing for you to do is keep track of your information. The police accident report from the accident and documentation associated with ambulance rides, ER visits, or hospital stays will be some of the most important elements during this process.

When you file your claim, your agent can help with questions about coverage, deductibles, and the overall claims process. They’ll also be able to help you understand what

alternative transportation options

you have, and if they’re covered by any of your policies.

Your insurer will let you know when you should expect to hear from your adjuster, but you can also contact them at any time for updates on your claim’s progress or to provide additional information.

Once the claim is resolved, your insurer will issue a check, minus any applicable deductibles.

What to do if your premiums increase after a hit-and-run claim

Any time your insurance rates increase, your best course of action is to shop for new car insurance quotes from at least three to five providers. The easiest way to compare multiple quotes at once is to use the

Jerry

app.

Even with recent violations on your driving record, Jerry can help you find cheap car insurance. Just download the free app and answer a few questions to set up your driving profile, and we’ll

compare real-time quotes

from among over 50 top providers to find you the best rate.

Have your premiums increased?

Compare quotes and see if you can save in 45 seconds.

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How does insurance cover a hit-and-run accident?

As with most accidents, coverage for a hit-and-run is split into two categories: property damage coverages and bodily injury coverages. What each coverage will pay for, how they apply, and how a hit-and-run claim will affect your insurance costs will depend on a number of factors, including the type of coverage you have, the number of claims you’ve filed, and even your state’s laws.

If you’re the victim of a hit-and-run but you get their license plate number, it’s possible police could track the guilty party down. If they have liability coverage then it will pay for your damages up to policy limits—plus you’ll have legal recourse if their limits aren’t high enough to pay all your bills.

If you can’t locate the at-fault driver, or they don’t have insurance, you’ll need to rely on your own

collision insurance

and/or

uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM)

to pay for damages and medical bills. You will need to pay your deductible on a collision claim, but UM/UIM usually doesn’t include a deductible.

WARNING: If all you have is bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverage, your insurance won’t cover anything following a hit-and-run.

The table below offers a quick overview of how different car insurance coverage types handle hit-and-run damages:

Coverage type	Covered expense	Deductible
State-minimum liability coverage	None	No
Collision coverage	Vehicle repairs or replacements	Yes
Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD)*	Vehicle repairs or replacements (UMPD is not available in all states)	Typically yes
Uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI)*	Accident-related medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and funeral expenses	Typically not
Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay)	Accident-related medical expenses for you and your passengers (MedPay is not available in all states)	Typically not
Personal injury protection (PIP)	Accident-related medical bills and expenses, lost wages, funeral expenses, replacement services and survivor benefits (PIP coverage is not available in all states)	Varies by state

If all you have is liability coverage, you’ll only have recourse to collect damages if the police catch the person who caused you to crash or hit you, your car, or your property. If you’ve taken advantage of a

full coverage auto insurance policy

that includes collision insurance, and/or

UM/UIM

or PIP, you’ll have a variety of ways to get compensation for damages, regardless of whether the person who caused the accident is caught.

*Note: In states that allow providers to extend UM/UIM coverage to hit-and-run situations, direct vehicle-to-vehicle contact is usually required for it to apply. That means UMPD and UMBI probably won’t be able to cover costs associated with a miss-and-run.

Hit-and-run vs. miss-and-run

Just like it sounds, a hit-and-run occurs when a driver flees the scene of an accident. Whether you’ve hit another vehicle, a person, or an object, if you don’t stay on the scene to take responsibility, you’ve committed a hit-and-run.

What is a miss-and-run?

A “miss-and-run” is a type of accident in which the at-fault driver causes another driver to crash, then leaves the scene. The “phantom driver” who caused the crash doesn’t even have to contact the other vehicle for a miss-and-run to occur.

Hit-and-run and miss-and-run accidents can result in property and vehicle damage as well as bodily injuries—and they leave no at-fault driver to take responsibility.

Learn more:

What to do after a car accident

FAQ

Will my Progressive insurance go up if someone hits me?

Your Progressive insurance may go up if someone hits you. However, it’s unlikely our policy will be surcharged—instead, any increase you see would likely result from lost claims-free or accident-free discounts.

If your policy does not currently benefit from discounts associated with a lack of insurance claims, you may not see any effect on Progressive policy rates after a not-at-fault accident.

Will a hit-and-run claim raise my insurance in NYC?

Whether a hit-and-run claim will raise your insurance in NYC depends more on whether you’re at fault than where you live or who your policy is with.

If you were the victim of a hit-and-run, filing a claim may not result in any change in policy rates. However, if you cause a hit-and-run, you won’t even need to file a claim to see your rates increase—simply having the conviction on your record will make your premiums rise.

Will a hit-and-run claim raise my insurance in Texas?

Whether a hit-and-run claim will raise your insurance in Texas depends more on whether you’re at fault than where you live or who your policy is with.

Does your GEICO insurance go up after a claim that is not your fault?

Typically, filing a claim for an accident in which you’re not at fault doesn’t result in a rate increase. However, it could affect your ability to continue taking advantage of certain policy discounts.

To see how your GEICO insurance rate may be affected by a not-at-fault claim, speak with your GEICO agent.

Will my car insurance rate go up if someone hits me?

If you’re not at fault in an accident and you don’t file a claim with your insurance provider, your rates should be unaffected by someone hitting you. As long as you’re not at fault, filing a claim shouldn’t result in a policy surcharge, but it could lead to other changes that may cause higher rates—such as loss of accident-free or claims-free discounts.

How does filing a hit-and-run claim affect my premiums with State Farm?

Typically, filing a claim with State Farm for an accident in which you’re not at fault doesn’t result in a rate increase—however, it could affect your ability to continue taking advantage of certain policy discounts. To see how your State Farm insurance rate may be affected by a not-at-fault claim, speak with your State Farm agent.

How does filing a hit-and-run claim affect my insurance premiums?

Typically, filing a claim for an accident in which you’re not at fault doesn’t result in a rate increase—however, it could affect your ability to continue taking advantage of certain policy discounts.

If you cause a hit-and-run accident and are caught, whether or not you file a claim won’t matter—simply having the conviction on your record will result in a massive rate increase.

How much does insurance go up after a hit-and-run claim?

Whether or how much your insurance will go up after a hit-and-run accident depends on whether you’re the victim or the cause of the accident. Typically, filing a claim for an accident in which you’re not at fault doesn’t result in a rate increase—however, it could affect your ability to continue taking advantage of certain policy discounts.

If you cause a hit-and-run accident and are caught, whether or not you file a claim won’t matter—simply having the conviction on your record will result in a massive rate increase.

Does full coverage cover a hit-and-run?

A full coverage insurance policy typically includes collision insurance, and could also include uninsured/underinsurance motorist coverage. Both of these policies could be used to cover damages associated with a hit-and-run accident.

Meet our experts

Sarah Gray

Licensed Insurance Agent — Expert Insurance Writer and Editor

Sarah Gray is an insurance writer with nearly a decade of experience in publishing and writing. Sarah specializes in writing articles that educate car owners and buyers on the full scope of car ownership—from shopping for and buying a new car to scrapping one that’s breathed its last and everything in between. Sarah has authored over 1,500 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from first-time buyer programs to how to get a salvage title for a totaled car.

Prior to joining Jerry, Sarah was a full-time professor of English literature and composition with multiple academic writing publications.

Maria Cruz

Expert Insurance Writer & Editor

Maria is an insurance writer with over 10 years of experience as a professional writer. Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2023, she worked at various online publications like Nimble Media, Factinate.com, and served as editor-in-chief at The Medium. She holds a double major in English and Professional Writing and Communications.