Do I Have to Pay My Deductible if Someone Hits Me and Runs
If the other driver can't be found, your own collision or uninsured motorist coverage pays, and your deductible usually applies unless your state or policy says otherwise.
Yes, in most cases, unless you carry the right coverage
If someone hits you and drives off, there's no other driver to bill, so your own insurer pays for the damage. That means your policy's deductible applies the same way it would in any other claim you file against your own coverage.
There are two ways around this. Some drivers carry uninsured motorist property damage coverage, which in some states waives the deductible specifically for hit and run claims. A few states also have rules that reduce or remove the deductible when the other driver is never identified. Which of these applies to you depends entirely on your state and your policy, so it's worth checking both before you assume you'll pay full price.
Which coverage you're using to pay for the damage
If you have collision coverage, that's what pays for a hit and run in most states, since there's no at-fault driver to pursue. Collision deductibles apply in full, and nothing about being the victim of a hit and run changes that by default.
If you have uninsured motorist property damage coverage, the outcome can be different. Some states treat a hit and run the same as being hit by a driver with no insurance, and a number of insurers waive the deductible under this coverage specifically for that situation. This isn't universal, so you'd need to check your declarations page or ask your agent which coverage will actually be used to pay the claim.
If you don't carry collision or uninsured motorist property damage coverage, you may have no way to get the damage paid for through your own insurer at all. That's worth confirming now, not after something happens.
Where you live and what your policy says
Deductible waivers for hit and run claims are not standard nationwide. Some states require insurers to offer a waiver option, some leave it entirely up to the insurer, and some have no special rule at all. This means two drivers with similar coverage in different states can end up with different outcomes after the same kind of accident.
Your own policy wording matters just as much as your state's rules. Some policies waive the deductible only if the hit and run is reported to police within a set window, or only under specific coverage types. The only way to know what applies to you is to read your policy's uninsured motorist and collision sections, or ask your insurer directly how a hit and run would be handled.
If your current policy doesn't offer any waiver, this is something you can ask about when comparing coverage, since not every insurer handles it the same way.
Questions people ask about this
Will my insurance rate go up after a hit and run that wasn't my fault?
It depends on your insurer's rules about not-at-fault claims. Some insurers won't raise your rate if the accident wasn't your fault and there's a police report confirming it, but this isn't guaranteed everywhere. Ask your insurer how they classify hit and run claims specifically, since some treat them differently from a standard not-at-fault accident.
What should I do right after a hit and run accident?
Call the police and file a report before you call your insurer. A police report documents that you weren't able to identify the other driver, which your insurer will likely ask for when you file the claim. Write down anything you remember about the other vehicle, even partial details, and take photos of the damage and the scene if you can.
Does uninsured motorist coverage cover a hit and run driver?
In most states, yes, since a driver who flees and can't be identified is treated the same as an uninsured driver. Whether this covers vehicle damage, injuries, or both depends on which type of uninsured motorist coverage you carry, so check whether yours includes property damage and not just bodily injury.
Can I get my deductible back if the other driver is found later?
If the other driver is identified and found at fault, you may be able to recover your deductible through their insurer or through your own insurer's subrogation process. This isn't automatic, so ask your insurer what happens if the other driver turns up after your claim is already paid.
Is it worth filing a claim for a small hit and run if my deductible is high?
That depends on whether the repair cost is close to or below your deductible, since filing a claim where the payout barely covers it may not be worthwhile. Compare the estimated repair cost to your deductible before deciding, and ask your insurer whether filing would affect your rate regardless of the payout amount.
If you want coverage that handles a hit and run differently, it helps to see what other insurers offer before your next renewal.
Pull out your policy's declarations page and find your collision and uninsured motorist property damage coverage, if you have it. Call your agent or insurer and ask directly how they'd handle a hit and run claim and whether any deductible waiver applies in your state. If you don't have uninsured motorist property damage coverage, ask what it would cost to add it. File a police report as soon as possible if this has already happened, since most insurers will ask for one. If your current policy offers no waiver and that matters to you, use this as a reason to compare what other insurers include before you renew.
