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To file an uninsured motorist (UM) claim, report the crash to your own insurer promptly, tell the adjuster the other driver appears uninsured or cannot be identified, and follow the notice, proof-of-loss, and evidence requirements in your policy. UM coverage is part of your own auto policy; what it pays—and what you must do to qualify—depends on the policy and state law. For a hit-and-run, report the crash to police promptly and keep the report number.
What an uninsured motorist claim can cover
UM coverage is first-party coverage under your auto policy. It may respond when an at-fault driver has no liability insurance. Depending on state law and policy terms, UM may also apply when a driver’s liability insurer denies coverage or is insolvent, or in some hit-and-run situations. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) describes these potential situations in its uninsured motorist overview.
Uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI) and uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) are separate coverage categories. Having one does not necessarily mean you have the other. Whether damage to your car is covered, what deductible applies, and whether a hit-and-run qualifies depend on your policy and state. Maryland’s insurance regulator likewise advises consumers to check their policy for coverage amounts and deductibles: Maryland’s uninsured motorist coverage guidance.
Do not assume UM automatically pays for vehicle repairs. Check your declarations page and UM endorsement for the coverage you bought, applicable limits and deductibles, exclusions, and duties after a loss. If you also have collision coverage, ask the adjuster which coverage may apply and how using it could affect your claim; the answer depends on your contract and state rules.
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What to do after a crash with an uninsured or unidentified driver
1. Take care of safety and report the crash
Get emergency medical help if needed, remain at the scene, and follow police instructions. If it is safe, record the other driver’s name, vehicle and insurance details, and contact information for witnesses. Photograph the vehicles, damage, and scene when safe to do so.
If the other driver leaves or cannot be identified, contact law enforcement promptly and ask how to get a copy of the report. Keep the report number. Reporting rules are not uniform: Washington’s insurance regulator describes a 72-hour reporting rule for phantom-vehicle accidents in Washington, not as a nationwide deadline. Its crash guidance also advises drivers not to leave the scene and to gather details and take photos when safe. Illinois warns that a company could deny a hit-and-run vehicle-damage claim without a police report in its auto insurance guidance.
2. Notify your insurer and identify the claim as a UM loss
Use the claims number on your insurance card or the insurer’s official claim channel. Explain that the other driver appears uninsured or is unidentified and ask the company to evaluate the loss under your UM coverage. Report it promptly: Illinois’ Department of Insurance advises immediate notice and review of the policy’s conditions.
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Ask the insurer to confirm these details in writing:
- Your claim number and the assigned adjuster’s contact information.
- Which coverage sections are being considered, including UMBI, UMPD, or any other potentially relevant coverage.
- Which forms and records the insurer needs from you.
- Every notice, proof-of-loss, inspection, and other deadline that applies to your claim.
3. Check your policy and calendar its deadlines
Review your declarations page, UM endorsement, and the policy section often titled “Duties After a Loss” or something similar. Note any requirements to give notice, cooperate with an investigation, submit a proof-of-loss form, or meet other conditions. An insurer may set a deadline for a required proof-of-loss form; Illinois’ regulator warns that failing to meet a policy deadline could lead to denial.
There is no single filing deadline that applies to every UM claim nationwide. Policy notice terms, proof-of-loss dates, hit-and-run reporting conditions, statutes of limitation, and arbitration or lawsuit requirements may differ by state and policy. Ask your adjuster for all applicable dates in writing. If a deadline may have passed, or the dispute could affect your legal rights, contact your state insurance department or a qualified local attorney promptly.
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State laws can set specific reporting requirements for particular claims. For example, a North Carolina statute addressing certain bodily-injury claims involving an unidentified vehicle calls for reporting the collision to an appropriate official within 24 hours or as soon as practicable, and separately addresses notice to the insurer. That rule applies in its statutory context; it is not a general deadline for all UM claims or other states. See North Carolina General Statute § 20-279.21.
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Keep a dated file and copies of everything you send or receive. The exact documents depend on the loss and the insurer’s reasonable requests, but useful records may include:
- The police report or report number, plus scene and damage photos or video.
- Witness names and contact information, and the other vehicle’s and driver’s details if known.
- Any available information about the other driver’s insurance status.
- For an injury claim, medical visit and treatment records, bills, and documentation of lost wages.
- For vehicle damage, repair estimates, inspection records, invoices, and receipts.
- Claim forms, emails, letters, and a call log with dates, names, and what was discussed.
Keep the original files where possible and note when and how you provided records. The NAIC’s UM guidance, Washington’s crash guidance, and Illinois’ auto insurance guidance support gathering details, keeping photos, cooperating with the investigation, and providing required proof of loss; they do not establish one universal document list.
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How to work with the adjuster and protect your records
Respond to reasonable requests, attend an inspection if asked, and keep copies of submitted materials. Ask the adjuster to explain in writing which coverage and policy terms are under review. If your car is damaged, Illinois’ regulator advises showing it to the insurer before repairs and protecting it from further damage. Where practicable, confirm inspection and repair authorization with the adjuster before proceeding.
Keep a simple claim log: the date of each call or message, who contacted whom, what was requested or promised, and the next due date. If a phone conversation changes what you need to do, follow up in writing so you have a record.
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What to do if the insurer delays or denies the claim
First ask the insurer to identify the specific policy wording and facts behind a delay, denial, or settlement decision. Request the explanation in writing and preserve the denial letter, forms, and full communication history. If you cannot resolve the issue through the claims process, you can contact your state insurance department for consumer assistance. The NAIC’s state insurance department directory identifies the regulator for each state; NAIC notes that claim delays and denials are among common complaint reasons.
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A regulator complaint is a way to seek assistance with claim handling. It does not itself establish coverage, and it does not replace any applicable policy, arbitration, or lawsuit deadline.
Why prompt reporting matters
Uninsured drivers remain a meaningful risk, but the national estimate is not a prediction about any particular crash. The NAIC reports that 15.4% of motorists—about one in seven—were uninsured in 2023, attributing the figure to an Insurance Research Council study published in 2025. Its state estimates for 2023 ranged from 5.7% in Maine to 28.2% in Mississippi: NAIC’s 2025 summary of uninsured-motorist estimates.
Those figures do not determine whether your own loss qualifies. The practical next step is to notify your insurer, follow your policy’s conditions, preserve evidence, and confirm your claim’s deadlines rather than relying on a general rule.
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