Does Uninsured Motorist Insurance Cover Hit-and-Run Accidents?

When you're involved in a hit-and-run accident, you may feel helpless—injured or left with a damaged vehicle and no one to hold accountable. If the at-fault driver can’t be identified, you can’t file a claim against their insurance. That’s exactly where uninsured motorist coverage steps in.

This matters when the person responsible for the accident vanishes or refuses to share information. You might think about this the next time you're navigating a parking lot or driving late at night when hit-and-runs are more common.

How Hit-and-Run Coverage Works

In most Canadian provinces, uninsured automobile coverage includes protection for hit-and-run scenarios. Since the at-fault driver is unknown, the law treats the situation as if the driver had no insurance at all.

This means your own policy can cover:

Medical expenses and hospital care for injuries
Funeral costs in the event of death
Lost income if you’re unable to work due to injuries
Compensation for pain and suffering
Sometimes, damage to your vehicle (varies by province or policy)

What’s Covered After a Hit-and-Run	Covered by Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Medical bills	Yes
Lost wages	Yes
Vehicle damage	Sometimes
Pain and suffering	Yes
Liability or collision claims	No

Tip: You must report the hit-and-run to police and your insurer promptly. Most policies require documentation to confirm the event and trigger the claim.

What You Need to Do After a Hit-and-Run

To use your uninsured motorist coverage, follow these key steps:

Call the police right away
A formal report is often required to prove the incident was a true hit-and-run, not just a parking lot scrape.
Document the scene
Take photos of your vehicle, skid marks, surrounding area, and any damage. If witnesses are nearby, ask for their contact information.
Notify your insurer quickly
There may be time limits on reporting a hit-and-run under your coverage—often 24 to 48 hours.
Seek medical attention if needed
This helps establish a medical record if you later claim for injuries under your uninsured coverage.

Note: If you delay reporting or lack sufficient evidence, your claim may be denied. Treat a hit-and-run like any other serious accident.

Know Your Policy Limits

Most provinces offer built-in uninsured motorist protection, but limits can vary. If the injuries are severe or if your vehicle is a total loss, your basic coverage might not be enough.

Check your policy’s limits for injury claims
Ask whether vehicle damage is included
Consider adding collision or optional uninsured property coverage for broader protection

Caution: Some insurers set a higher deductible for hit-and-run vehicle damage than for other claims. Always confirm how your policy treats this type of loss.

Hit-and-Run Protection Gives You a Path Forward

Hit-and-runs leave you with damage and no one to pursue—but uninsured motorist coverage helps close that gap. It ensures you won’t bear the financial burden for someone else’s wrongdoing, even when they’re never identified. Knowing how it works, and what to do immediately after an incident, makes this quiet part of your policy one of the most essential.