# What insurance might help after a hit-and-run?

Canonical: https://californiapersonalinjurylaws.com/guides/hit-and-run-coverage/

Reviewed by Andrew (Andy) R. Gillin; publisher reported approval on 2026-11-04. Original review date was not supplied.

## Short answer

Your uninsured motorist coverage may help after some hit-and-run crashes. These claims have special rules about proof, contact, reports, and notice.

## Hypothetical example

A car hits a cyclist and leaves. People who saw the crash may help show what happened.

## How the rule works

An unknown driver makes proof harder, so special policy and legal rules can matter. Keep facts about any contact, the vehicle, and reports. The exact coverage needs to be checked promptly.

## What can change the answer

A car that makes you crash without hitting you can raise different issues. Not every unknown-driver crash is covered.

## A useful next step

Report the crash promptly. Save witness names and check which policies might cover you.

## Court decisions behind this answer

### Inter-Insurance Exchange of Automobile Club v. Lopez (1965)

238 Cal.App.2d 441, pp. 443–446. An unknown car hit another car and pushed it into the insured car. The court treated that chain of contact as physical contact.

Limit: The case does not cover every no-contact crash. Current reporting, contact, and policy rules must be checked.

Source: https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/2243461/inter-insurance-exchange-of-automobile-club-v-lopez/

## Sources

- [Insurance Code § 11580.2 — Uninsured motorist coverage](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=INS&sectionNum=11580.2.)
- [California Department of Insurance — Automobile insurance guide](https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/105-type/95-guides/01-auto/auto101.cfm)
- [Inter-Insurance Exchange of Automobile Club v. Lopez (1965) 238 Cal.App.2d 441](https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/2243461/inter-insurance-exchange-of-automobile-club-v-lopez/)

General information, not legal advice.