What happens if my vehicle is damaged in a hit and run?

Whenever a driver strikes another vehicle and leaves the scene, it’s considered a hit and run accident -- an act that is always against the law.

When you’re dealing with an event that has no witnesses or no perpetrator sticking around, hit and run drivers can usually (unfortunately) get away with their crime. Your insurance company knows this and will do all they can to take care of the damage.

If you find damage to your parked car

If you come back to your car one day and you notice that it has been damaged while legally parked, you should:

• Take photos
• See if there are any witnesses on the street
• Report the accident to police
• Call your insurer
• Check for any security cameras nearby (check the whole block)

If you witness the driver flee the scene

In another dismal scenario, you could be hit by a car while inside your own, witnessing the accident only to see the other driver speed off and flee the scene in a brazen getaway move.

Most details needed will be the same as if you were absent from the scene, but some require quick attention from you in the heat of the moment:

• Record as much information about the other vehicle as you can (type of car, colour, driver description, any license plate details, time of day, etc.)
• Take photos of the scene
• Look around: did anyone witness the event? Get their contact info and witness statement
• Check for any security cameras nearby (check the whole block)

Police report

A hit and run is a serious offense that often reaches the press whenever it causes bodily harm. In extreme events, auto body shops will be contacted to see if they have carried out any recent repairs to specific areas of a "blue car" for example. Paint can rub off on either vehicle and leave some valuable clues for police. 

Drivers have special responsibilities, and they should always be held accountable for their errors. If the driver is caught, they face some pretty harsh consequences for leaving the scene of an accident. For a misdemeanor, the driver can face up to a year in jail, and for a felony, they can spend up to three years in jail depending on the case.

Giving the police as much information as possible increases the probability of the driver being apprehended – call them as soon as you can following the accident. Make sure no one is injured and move the car out of any active traffic. If your car is parked, wait nearby until police arrive.

After the police have taken their report, you can now report the incident to your insurance company. Your insurer will want a copy of the police statement before moving forward on your claim. 

Do hit and runs fall under liability or collision coverage?

Because of the hit and run, you and your insurance company are the only parties left footing the bill for the damage caused by the other driver.

Hit and runs are the only accidents where you will still have to pay your collision deductible, even though you are considered "not at fault". Hit and runs fall under your collision coverage, not your liability coverage.

Your liability coverage only relates to accidents when you’re at fault, so it can’t be used when you’re not. Hit and runs cannot fall under any other category other than collision, unfortunately. If you only have basic liability coverage and not the added collision coverage, you’ll be paying out of pocket for someone else’s mistakes.

Savings graces

A hit and run is one of the most frustrating experiences as a driver, even when no one is hurt. Reporting the event to the police is the best way to hope for some justice.

And because you aren’t at fault, your premium will not go up; the deductible for the repairs will be the only thing you need to worry about.