Finding your parked car dented with no note in a parking lot, or being struck by a vehicle that speeds away, leaves you with damaged property and no one to hold accountable. Whether your insurance coverage steps in depends on the type of car insurance policy you carry.
In most cases, it does, but the level of protection depends on the coverage you have in place. A basic mandatory car insurance policy may not be enough, and understanding which types of insurance coverage apply makes a real difference to how smoothly the claims process goes. Despite being illegal in Canada, a hit-and-run can happen to any driver, making it worthwhile to understand your insurance policy before you need it.
Key takeaways
- Whether insurance cover applies to a hit-and-run depends on the type of coverage you have, not just whether you have car insurance.
- Collision coverage is often the most important protection for vehicle repair costs in a hit-and-run incident, and basic mandatory insurance may not be enough.
- Filing a police report promptly is essential for supporting a hit-and-run claim and protecting your car insurance premium.
What is a hit-and-run?
A hit-and-run occurs when a driver leaves the scene of an accident without providing their insurance information, driver's licence number, or contact details, and without offering assistance to anyone injured. This includes a driver hitting your parked car and leaving without a note, another vehicle hitting you while you're driving and speeding away, and a driver causing damage to someone else's parked car or non-vehicle property without stopping.
In Canada, all drivers involved in a collision are legally required to remain at the scene, offer assistance, and exchange information. Failing to do so can result in serious legal consequences under the Criminal Code of Canada and provincial legislation, such as theTraffic Safety Act in Alberta or Highway Traffic Act in Ontario.
Does car insurance cover a hit-and-run?
Car insurance in Canada may cover hit-and-run incidents, but the level of protection depends on your car insurance policy and the province you live in.
Drivers in provinces with public auto insurance systems, including British Columbia (ICBC), Saskatchewan (SGI) and Manitoba (MPI), have access to specific statutory hit-and-run or uninsured coverage for vehicle damage and injuries. These public systems may function differently from private-market collision coverage, so if you live in one of these provinces, reviewing your coverage directly with your provincial insurer will give you the most accurate picture of your protection.
Not all coverage types apply to a hit-and-run, so here's what to know.
Collision coverage
Collision coverage, or the equivalent physical damage coverage in your province, is typically the key protection for repairing your vehicle after a hit-and-run. If the at-fault driver cannot be identified, your insurance provider will cover the cost of vehicle repair after you pay your deductible. Because collision coverage is optional in most provinces, drivers who only carry basic mandatory insurance may have to cover repair costs out of pocket.
It's also worth knowing that direct compensation property damage (DCPD), which allows you to deal directly with your own insurance company when another driver is at fault, doesn't apply in a hit-and-run where the driver cannot be identified. This is another reason collision coverage matters so much in a hit-and-run scenario.
Uninsured motorist coverage
If you're injured in a hit-and-run by an unidentified driver, uninsured motorist coverage applies in most provinces as part of your mandatory car insurance policy. It typically covers accident benefits, including rehabilitation costs, income replacement, and medical expenses, but applies to injuries only, not vehicle repair costs. For that, you need collision coverage. Some provinces also offer optional enhanced accident benefits that go beyond standard coverage, and your insurance provider can walk you through what applies in your province.
What about comprehensive and specified perils coverage?
Comprehensive and specified perils coverage protect against non-collision events like theft, hail, and fire. A hit-and-run is covered as a collision claim, so comprehensive and specified perils coverage do not apply.
What happens when someone hits your parked car and leaves?
Insurance companies treat parking lot accidents the same as other collisions. If the other driver cannot be identified, collision coverage applies, and you’ll pay your deductible before insurance kicks in for the remaining repair costs.
If a witness or security camera footage helps identify the other vehicle, your insurance claim may shift to Direct Compensation Property Damage (DCPD), which doesn't require a deductible in many policies. It's worth checking for nearby cameras and speaking to anyone who may have seen what happened. Not all provinces have DCPD. In provinces without DCPD, the claims process may differ, and recovery options will depend on the province's insurance system and the circumstances of the loss.
What to do after a hit-and-run
Acting quickly after a hit-and-run incident helps protect both your safety and your insurance claim. Here are the steps to take:
- Stay calm and check for injuries before anything else.
- Call the police immediately, particularly if there are injuries or if the vehicle damage is significant; most provinces require you to file a police report when damage exceeds a certain threshold, and your insurance claim will be stronger with a police report number on file.
- Document the scene thoroughly, including photos of the damage from multiple angles, the location, time and date of incident, any debris, and any visible plate number or vehicle description of the other vehicle.
- Collect witness statements and contact information from anyone who saw what happened.
- Note any licence plate number, make, model, or colour of the other vehicle if the incident occurred while you were driving.
- Contact your insurance company as soon as possible, as most insurance policies have reporting deadlines; don't wash or repair your vehicle before it has been assessed for a damage estimate.
- If you were injured, seek medical treatment right away and keep records of all visits and receipts.
- If your vehicle appears unsafe to drive, do not attempt to operate it. Arrange for a tow truck and follow any instructions provided by the police or your insurer.
Will a hit-and-run claim affect your car insurance premium?
This is one of the most common concerns for anyone who has been the victim of a hit-and-run. A properly documented, not-at-fault hit-and-run may not increase your car insurance premium with many insurance companies. However, this may vary by coverage, province, and insurance company.
Filing a police report is the most important step in establishing that you were not the at-fault driver.
Failing to report the incident to the police promptly can complicate the claims process and may affect your ability to support a hit-and-run claim. Your insurance provider can confirm the reporting requirements and claims process in your province.
Know what your car insurance policy covers before you need it
Being the victim of a hit-and-run is stressful, but the right coverage means you're not left facing the costs alone. Without collision coverage, minimum mandatory car insurance does not cover vehicle repair costs after a hit-and-run. Collision coverage is what makes a hit-and-run claim possible when the other driver cannot be identified.
Your deductible choice also matters. A higher deductible lowers your insurance premium, but means more out of pocket when insurance kicks in. Your insurance representative can walk you through your current coverage and help make sure your car insurance policy reflects your actual needs.
