Hit-and-Run & UM Coverage

When the Other Driver Disappears

A hit-and-run is uniquely frustrating: someone causes a crash, injures you, and drives off — leaving no policy to collect from and, often, no one to hold accountable. Uninsured motorist coverage is what protects you in exactly this situation.

How UM Treats Hit-and-Run

In most states, an unidentified hit-and-run driver is treated as uninsured, because there's no policy to pursue. That means your uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI) coverage steps in to pay for:

• Your medical bills and treatment
• Lost wages while you recover
• Pain and suffering
• Injuries to your passengers and household family

The Property-Damage Catch

Bodily injury and property damage can be treated differently for hit-and-run:

• Injuries (UMBI): usually covered even when the driver is never found, though some states require independent corroboration of the phantom vehicle.
• Vehicle damage (UMPD): some states require the at-fault vehicle to be identified before UMPD applies, which can leave a true hit-and-run's vehicle damage to your collision coverage instead.

Because these rules vary, knowing how your state and policy handle it matters.

What to Do After a Hit-and-Run

• Call the police and file a report — documentation is often required for a UM claim.
• Gather evidence — photos, witness names, nearby cameras, the time and place.
• Notify your insurer promptly — UM claims have deadlines.
• Get medical attention and keep records.

Make Sure You're Covered

Hit-and-run crashes are common, and the only reliable protection is carrying solid uninsured motorist limits *before* it happens. We help drivers confirm their UM coverage and raise it where it's thin. [Get a quote](/quote) to check yours.