Someone hit my car and drove off
Hit-and-run basics: what to do, how to report it, make a claim, and help protect any no claim discount
Key points
- A hit and run is when another driver damages your car and leaves without sharing their insurance details. These claims are usually treated as at fault for excess and no claims discount purposes.
- You can still make a claim even if the other driver is not identified. You will usually need to pay your excess and your no claims discount may be affected.
- If your car is hit while parked, some policies include an NCD Waiver that may protect your no claims discount. You should check your policy documents to see if this applies.
- Report the incident to the police as soon as possible and get a crime reference number. This can support your insurance claim and is often required by insurers.
When your car is hit by another car and they drive off, it can be an incredibly frustrating experience. You not only have to deal with the potential damage to your car, but it can be difficult to understand how it impacts your car insurance excess and no claim discount. This guide explains what a hit-and-run could mean for your insurance, what steps to take, and how your cover may respond.
What does ‘hit my car and drove off’ mean in insurance terms?
If someone damages your car and leaves without sharing their name, contact details or number plate, that’s a hit‑and‑run.
That means you don’t get their details, so your insurer can’t chase their insurer for the costs. Even if you weren’t to blame, the claim is usually treated as a “fault” for no claim discount (NCD) and excess purposes. This rule applies whether your car was moving or parked.
If you have a car insurance policy with us, our NCD Waiver may protect your no claim discount in eligible “hit while parked” cases, but it’s important to check your policy documents for eligibility, what’s covered, and any excess involved.
What if your car is hit by an uninsured driver who drives off?
If you have car insurance with us and were hoping to use our Uninsured Driver Promise, this may not apply in a hit and run. This is because you need to provide the other driver’s name, contact details and vehicle registration number, so a registration alone doesn’t meet the full requirements.
However, if you do manage to get the registration, it’s still worth sharing it with us, as we may be able to trace the vehicle and attempt to recover our costs.
Steps to take after discovering the damage to your car
- Check for a note. If you discover damage after returning to your car, look for a message on the windscreen or under a wiper with a name, phone number and number plate.
- Take clear photos. Snap close‑ups of the damage, wider shots of the whole car, and pictures that show where the car was parked.
- Record basics. Write down the date, time and exact location (street name, car park level or bay number).
- Capture clues. Note any paint colour transfer, broken trim, glass, tyre marks, or debris on the ground.
- Ask for witnesses. Speak to any neighbours, shop staff, security or passers‑by. If they saw anything, record their name and contact details.
- Request CCTV or doorbell footage. In shops, car parks or nearby homes, ask how to get a copy for your insurer and the police. Note camera locations and times.
- Keep any details safe. If a note or message names the other driver, photograph it and store the original. Share it with your insurer.
- Organise your evidence. Save photos, notes and any footage request numbers in one place (for example, a phone album or email to yourself).
To get a full accident checklist, or a more comprehensive what‑to‑do steps after a collision, check out our guide.
Reporting the incident
Report a hit‑and‑run to the police as soon as you can, ideally within 24 hours. This applies whether your car was moving or parked. Tell the police what happened and when, sharing any photos or witness details you’ve gathered. Footnote [1]
A police report helps officers try to identify the other driver and supports your insurance claim. It also records that the other driver may have failed to stop to share details or report the crash, which is a criminal offence the police can investigate. Footnote [1]
Ask for a crime reference number when you report it and keep it safe. Footnote [2] Insurers use this to log hit‑and‑run cases, and some claims (for example, criminal damage) need a police reference to proceed.
Making a car insurance claim
You can make a claim on your car insurance even if the other driver isn’t identified. If your insurer can’t recover costs from them, your claim can still be handled and recorded using your evidence.
These claims usually mean paying your policy excess. They can also affect your no claim discount (NCD) when there’s no recovery from the other driver.
If you have a policy with us, our NCD Waiver may help in specific cases. For “hit while parked” incidents, qualifying comprehensive policies can protect your NCD, so a successful claim doesn’t reduce it (but you’ll still pay any excess). Check your documents to see if your policy includes the NCD Waiver.
Every policy is different, so please read your schedule and policy booklet for what’s covered, any limits, and the exact excess that applies.
Helping to reduce the risk of future incidents
Small steps can make a difference. When you’re parking away from home, try to park in busier, well lit spots or in car parks with the Police approved Park Mark sign. Footnote [3]
When you’re parking at home, keeping your car in a driveway or garage can help to keep it away from oncoming traffic.
Using a dash cam in your car can help record what happened if there’s a scrape or bump. Many insurers accept clear footage as evidence when you make a claim. But make sure it’s fitted safely, so it doesn’t block your view.
It’s worth checking your policy features, limits and excess so there are no surprises if you ever need to make a claim. Some Aviva car insurance policies include an NCD Waiver for certain incidents, such as being hit while parked, so a successful claim may not reduce your no claim discount. Check your policy documents for eligibility, terms and full details. Depending on your policy, you may consider adding our Protected No Claim Discount, which can help keep your discount after one claim, subject to the add-on terms.
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