The Driver Who Doesn’t Stop

You’re stopped at a light, or your car is parked outside a shopping center, and someone clips it and drives away before you can get a plate number. Hit-and-run accidents leave California drivers with damage and, often, no clear path to getting it paid for.

Who Pays When There’s No One to Bill?

Normally, the at-fault driver’s liability insurance covers your damages. In a hit-and-run, there’s no identified driver to file a claim against, which shifts the burden to your own policy, assuming you have the right coverage in place.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage Fills the Gap

California law requires insurers to offer uninsured motorist coverage matching your liability limits, though you must sign a written rejection if you decide to decline it. This coverage is specifically designed to respond in situations like a hit-and-run, where the at-fault driver can’t be identified or held accountable.

What About Damage to the Car Itself?

Uninsured motorist coverage typically addresses bodily injury, not vehicle damage. For repairs to your car after a hit-and-run, collision coverage is usually the piece that responds, which is why carrying both types of coverage together matters more than most drivers realize until they need one without the other.

Steps to Take Right After It Happens

• Call the police and file a report, even if the damage seems minor
• Take photos of the damage and the surrounding area
• Look for security cameras or witnesses nearby
• Contact your insurance agency before making any repairs

Why This Matters More in California

California’s high rate of uninsured drivers means uninsured motorist coverage isn’t just a hit-and-run safety net, it also protects you against drivers who are identified but simply uninsured. Reviewing your coverage now, rather than after an incident, gives you a much clearer picture of where you stand.

This connects to the broader coverage questions we’ve addressed for California drivers, including our post on uninsured and underinsured drivers in California, since both situations come down to understanding exactly which part of your policy is doing the work when the other driver can’t.

Giles Insurance Services helps California drivers confirm they have the right uninsured motorist and collision coverage before an incident forces the question. Visit Giles Insurance Services today to review your policy.