Will A Hit-and-Run Claim Raise My Insurance

Last Updated on January 6, 2026 by Aliya Amber

Being involved in a hit-and-run accident is one of the most stressful situations a driver can experience. In a matter of seconds, you’re left dealing with vehicle damage, potential injuries, unanswered questions, and the frustration of the at-fault driver fleeing the scene. Once the initial shock wears off, a critical concern almost always follows: will a hit-and-run claim raise my insurance? This question is especially important because many drivers hesitate to file a claim out of fear that their premiums will increase, even when they were clearly not at fault.

The truth is that hit-and-run insurance claims sit in a gray area of auto insurance rules. Whether your insurance rates increase depends on several interconnected factors, including your state laws, the type of coverage you carry, how your insurer determines fault, your prior claims history, and whether the at-fault driver is ever identified. This guide breaks down the topic in detail so you can understand not just the short answer, but the full context behind how insurers evaluate hit-and-run claims and their impact on your premiums.

Also Explore: Do Insurance Companies Go After Uninsured Drivers

What Is Considered a Hit-and-Run Accident?

A hit-and-run accident occurs when a driver causes damage or injury and leaves the scene without stopping to provide contact information or render aid. This can involve two vehicles, a parked car, a cyclist, a pedestrian, or even property such as a fence or building. From an insurance perspective, the defining factor is that the responsible party is unknown or has fled before identification.

Hit-and-run incidents are treated seriously under the law in most jurisdictions and can range from minor misdemeanors to serious criminal offenses. For insurance companies, these claims introduce uncertainty because there is no immediately identifiable at-fault party to pursue for reimbursement. This uncertainty is one of the main reasons policyholders worry about rate increases after filing a claim.

Will a Hit-and-Run Claim Raise My Insurance?

The short answer is not always, but sometimes it can. In many cases, a hit-and-run claim does not raise your insurance if you are clearly not at fault and the claim is paid under coverage types designed for these scenarios. However, insurance companies still consider claims history when calculating premiums, even if you were not responsible for the accident.

Insurance pricing is based on risk assessment. Filing any claim can be seen as an indicator of future risk, even if fault is not assigned to you. That said, insurers generally treat not-at-fault claims, including hit-and-runs, differently from at-fault accidents. Whether your premium increases depends on how your insurer categorizes the claim and how often you have filed claims in the past.

How Insurance Companies Determine Fault in Hit-and-Run Claims

Fault determination is a critical factor in deciding whether a hit-and-run claim will affect your insurance. In most hit-and-run cases, insurers classify the incident as a not-at-fault loss because there is no evidence that you caused the accident. Police reports, witness statements, photos, and surveillance footage all play a role in supporting this determination.

However, if there is ambiguity about how the accident occurred, or if the insurer believes you may have contributed to the incident, the claim could be partially attributed to you. This is rare in clear hit-and-run cases, but it underscores the importance of thorough documentation and prompt reporting.

Does Filing a Hit-and-Run Claim Count as a Claim on Your Record?

Yes, a hit-and-run claim does count as a claim on your insurance record, even if you were not at fault. Insurance companies track all claims, including comprehensive and uninsured motorist claims. While not-at-fault claims typically carry less weight than at-fault claims, they still become part of your insurance history.

This does not automatically mean your rates will increase, but it can influence future underwriting decisions, especially if you have multiple claims within a short period. Insurers look at patterns, not just individual incidents.

Which Type of Coverage Applies to Hit-and-Run Claims?

Understanding which coverage applies is essential to answering whether a hit-and-run claim will raise your insurance. Hit-and-run claims are typically paid under one of the following coverage types:

Collision Coverage

If your vehicle is damaged by a hit-and-run driver, collision coverage usually applies. Collision coverage pays for damage regardless of fault but often comes with a deductible. Because collision claims are more closely associated with driving risk, they may have a higher chance of affecting premiums.

Uninsured Motorist Property Damage

In some states, uninsured motorist property damage coverage applies to hit-and-run accidents. Claims under this coverage are often treated more favorably than collision claims and may have lower or no deductibles.

Comprehensive Coverage

If your parked car is hit while unattended, the claim may fall under comprehensive coverage rather than collision. Comprehensive claims generally have less impact on premiums because they are associated with non-driving risks.

The type of coverage used can significantly affect whether your insurance rate changes.

Will a Hit-and-Run Claim Raise My Insurance if I Was Parked?

If your car was legally parked and struck by a hit-and-run driver, the likelihood of a rate increase is generally low. These claims are often processed under comprehensive coverage, which insurers view as less predictive of future driving risk.

Because the incident occurred while you were not driving, insurers are less likely to penalize you with higher premiums. That said, filing multiple comprehensive claims over time could still influence rates indirectly.

What If the Hit-and-Run Driver Is Found?

If the at-fault driver is identified after you file a claim, the situation can change significantly. Your insurance company may pursue reimbursement through subrogation, recovering the costs from the responsible driver’s insurer.

When subrogation is successful, your insurer may reclassify the claim or refund your deductible. In many cases, this reduces or eliminates any potential impact on your premiums because your insurer is no longer absorbing the loss.

Does State Law Affect Whether Your Insurance Increases?

Yes, state laws play a major role in determining how hit-and-run claims affect insurance premiums. Some states prohibit insurers from raising rates for not-at-fault accidents. In these states, filing a hit-and-run claim should not result in a premium increase as long as you are not found responsible.

Other states allow insurers more discretion, meaning a claim could influence rates even if you were not at fault. Understanding your state’s insurance regulations can help set expectations and guide your decision to file a claim.

How Your Claims History Influences Premium Changes

Even when a hit-and-run claim is classified as not at fault, your overall claims history matters. If this is your first claim in several years, your insurer is less likely to raise your premium. However, if you have filed multiple claims recently, the cumulative effect may lead to an increase.

Insurers use claims frequency as a key indicator of risk. A single hit-and-run claim is usually not enough to trigger a rate hike, but it can contribute to a broader pattern that affects pricing over time.

Will My Deductible Apply in a Hit-and-Run Claim?

In many hit-and-run claims, you will still be responsible for paying your deductible, especially if collision or comprehensive coverage applies. The deductible amount does not directly affect whether your insurance rate increases, but it does influence your out-of-pocket costs.

Some uninsured motorist property damage policies have lower deductibles or waive them entirely. If the at-fault driver is found later, your deductible may be reimbursed.

Should I File a Hit-and-Run Claim or Pay Out of Pocket?

Deciding whether to file a claim depends on the severity of the damage and your financial situation. For minor damage that costs less than or slightly more than your deductible, paying out of pocket may make sense to avoid adding a claim to your record.

For significant damage, filing a claim is often the safer option, even if there is a small chance of a premium increase. Avoiding necessary repairs can lead to safety issues and higher costs down the road.

How Police Reports Affect Hit-and-Run Insurance Claims

Filing a police report is one of the most important steps after a hit-and-run accident. Insurance companies rely heavily on police reports to verify that the incident was indeed a hit-and-run and not a single-vehicle accident.

A police report strengthens your claim, supports a not-at-fault classification, and reduces the likelihood of coverage disputes. Failing to file a report can complicate the claims process and increase the risk of unfavorable outcomes.

Can a Hit-and-Run Claim Affect Insurance Renewal Decisions?

Even if your premium does not increase immediately, a hit-and-run claim can be considered during policy renewal. Insurers reassess risk annually, and claims history is part of that evaluation.

In most cases, a single not-at-fault hit-and-run claim will not result in non-renewal or a significant premium increase. However, it may influence underwriting decisions if combined with other risk factors.

How Long Does a Hit-and-Run Claim Stay on Your Insurance Record?

Insurance claims typically remain on your record for three to five years, depending on the insurer and state regulations. During this time, the claim may be considered in pricing decisions, though its impact usually diminishes over time.

Not-at-fault claims generally carry less weight as they age, especially if no additional claims are filed.

Does Comprehensive Coverage Protect You From Rate Increases?

Comprehensive coverage is often seen as less risky by insurers because it covers events outside of your control, such as theft, vandalism, and certain hit-and-run scenarios. Claims under comprehensive coverage are less likely to result in premium increases compared to collision claims.

However, repeated comprehensive claims can still influence overall risk assessment.

What Insurance Companies Look for When Reviewing Hit-and-Run Claims

When insurers review hit-and-run claims, they evaluate several factors, including documentation quality, claim timing, consistency of statements, and supporting evidence. Claims that are well-documented and clearly not at fault are less likely to have negative consequences.

Delays in reporting or missing information can raise red flags and complicate the claims process.

Final Thoughts:

So, will a hit-and-run claim raise my insurance? In many cases, the answer is no, especially if you are clearly not at fault, the claim is handled under comprehensive or uninsured motorist coverage, and you have a clean claims history. However, insurance pricing is complex, and no outcome is guaranteed.

The key to minimizing risk is understanding your coverage, documenting the incident thoroughly, filing a police report, and communicating clearly with your insurer. Hit-and-run accidents are stressful enough without unnecessary financial uncertainty. Being informed allows you to make confident decisions and protect yourself both legally and financially.