Hit and run: What should you do?

Woman notices a break on the front wing of her car

The number of hit and runs has grown over the last few years. Read the article below and see good habits to adopt in this type of situation.

What is a hit and run?

A hit and run is where someone causes an accident, damaging another person’s vehicle, and leaves the scene, thus making it impossible to identify the driver causing the accident or the owner of the vehicle involved in the hit and run.

What to do in case of an accident

  • Take down any information you have on the driver and the vehicle: Make, model, colour, licence plate number, description of the driver.
  • Take down additional information from any witnesses and take their contact information.
  • Take pictures of the damages to your vehicle.
  • Contact the police as soon as possible in order to file a police report within 48 hours of the accident.
  • Contact your insurance company to report the accident and provide the police report number.

If your insurance policy covers hit and runs, your insurance company will assess the damages to your vehicle and have the necessary repairs made, in accordance with the terms of your policy. Once the repairs have been completed, your insurance company will pay the benefit, deducting the deductible.

Are you covered?

Your policy may not cover damages to your vehicle caused by a hit run. This is the case if your policy does not cover collisions. You may then have to pay for the repairs yourself.

Quebec residents

For Quebec residents only, the SAAQ (provincial auto insurance corporation) has a compensation fund to cover damages to vehicles or other property resulting from a hit and run for those whose policies do not cover hit and runs.

To make a claim to the SAAQ, several conditions apply, including:

  • The accident occurred in the province of Quebec
  • The accident was reported to a police service within 48 hours
  • The claim is filed with the SAAQ within 60 days
  • The damages to your vehicle or other property are assessed at more than $500
  • Your insurance policy does not cover hit and runs

To see a comprehensive list of the SAAQ’s eligibility criteria or to file a claim for property damages resulting from a hit and run:

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