If you’re the at-fault driver in a hit-and-run accident with Progressive insurance coverage, you might not have to pay higher auto insurance rates. With two accident-forgiveness programs protecting customers with claims less than $500 and patronage for at least five years, you might be able to maintain your current premium.

Car accidents leave behind a wake of damage and confusion that can be hard to navigate—especially if you’re the victim or the at-fault driver in a hit-and-run. In some cases, the owner of the car you hit might be MIA, making filing an insurance claim nearly impossible. Even with an identified driver, it’s difficult to predict how much—if at all—your insurance costs could increase with an auto accident claim.

Not to worry, though! We’re here to simplify the hit-and-run aftermath if you’re a policyholder with Progressive. We’re covering whether or not a claim could affect your car insurance costs, what type of coverage you need after a hit-and-run, and how to file an accident claim. Armed with this knowledge, the claim process might just “Flo” a bit easier.

MORE:

Progressive Car Insurance Quotes: What You Need to Know

Will a hit-and-run claim increase Progressive car insurance costs?

Not necessarily—whether or not you’re the at-fault driver is the key factor here. If you fled the scene after causing property damage or bodily injuries, you might not see a rate increase if you have

accident forgiveness

through Progressive.

Accident forgiveness prevents your policy from being surcharged even after an at-fault accident, like a

DUI

—but your eligibility depends on your state laws, driving record, and customer loyalty, among other factors. In most cases, Progressive won’t increase your premium if you’re enrolled in one of their accident-forgiveness programs.

On the other hand, if you’re the victim of a hit-and-run, the offending driver’s insurance provider will most likely cover any medical bills or property damage the accident caused. That is, as long as you can identify them. A hit-and-run driver who fled the scene might not be easy to identify, which is why it’s valuable to have

uninsured/underinsured motorist

coverage.

MORE:

How police catch uninsured drivers

Does car insurance cover a hit-and-run accident?

Yes—as long as you have the right coverage in your Progressive insurance policy. If you’re at fault in a hit-and-run accident, you’ll need to have two bases covered: property damage and bodily injury. Here’s what Progressive can cover in terms of property damage:

Collision coverage

: This policy add-on pays out for damages caused by a collision with another vehicle or stationary object, regardless of who’s at fault. This includes repairs or replacements needed after a hit-and-run and will kick in after your deductible is paid.

Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD): While collision coverage is more robust, UMPD will reimburse you for damages caused by a driver who fled the scene of an accident since they’ll be considered an uninsured driver.

Your vehicle isn’t the only asset at risk in a hit-and-run accident. In severe cases, you or the other party could leave the scene with injuries and expensive medical bills to cover. These are the policy add-ons you’ll need to cover injury claims:

Uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI): Similar to UMPD, UMBI pays out for injuries incurred in an accident caused by a driver at large or an uninsured driver.

Medical payments (Med Pay)

personal injury protection (PIP)

: Regardless of fault, Med Pay and PIP cover medical expenses after a hit-and-run. While they may include a deductible, PIP offers coverage beyond the accident for other costs, like funeral expenses and physical rehabilitation.

Your home state most likely requires you to carry

liability coverage

at the least, which will contribute to the other driver’s expenses if you’re at fault in the accident. It’s always a good idea to carry

full coverage

—including collision and

comprehensive

coverage—and uninsured motorist coverage.

With these add-ons and either Med Pay or PIP, you can rest assured the bulk of your expenses will be covered by Progressive.

MORE: 5 Surprising types of damage covered by car insurance

RECOMMENDED

Compare auto insurance policies

No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms

ZIP Code

Find insurance savings

How much do Progressive insurance premiums increase after a hit-and-run accident claim?

While specific factors, like the claim amount and your

driving record

, influence how much your Progressive car insurance premium increases after an accident, rates jump by 28% on average, according to countrywide data from Progressive. However, that’s only if you don’t have accident forgiveness in your policy.

If you were on the receiving end of a hit-and-run or only your car was involved in the accident, it’s likely that your rates won’t increase.

Does accident forgiveness cover hit-and-run accidents?

Even if you were responsible for a hit-and-run accident, Progressive forgives your first accident claim if it meets the following criteria for their accident forgiveness programs:

You file a small claim of $500 or less

You’ve been a Progressive customer for five years and have been accident-free for three consecutive years

All Progressive customers are automatically enrolled in the first type of accident forgiveness as soon as their car insurance policy initiates. If you demonstrate customer loyalty and stick with Progressive, you can reap the benefits of the second forgiveness program.

If you have multiple drivers

bundled under one policy

, be wary that Progressive’s accident forgiveness only applies to one accident per policy, not per driver.

The programs don’t erase an at-fault accident or a hit-and-run from your record, either. Other car insurance companies can still see the offense for three to five years, so if you’re looking to switch to a different car insurance company, like

, or

, you’ll be paying for it with a high premium.

Not willing to bank on the guaranteed benefits? Progressive offers the option to apply for Small Accident Forgiveness or Large Accident Forgiveness via their Loyalty Rewards Program. Once the initial loyalty benefits are exhausted, the Progressive Accident Forgiveness benefits will take over.

Overall, even as a safe driver, the Progressive accident forgiveness perks are worth it.

MORE: How different types of car accidents affect your insurance rates

How to file a hit-and-run claim with Progressive

Enduring a hit-and-run accident is anything but easy. Thankfully, Progressive’s claims process is fairly simple to go through. There are options for filing a claim through the Progressive mobile app, online, or by calling 1-800-776-4737.

From there, here’s what you can expect:

Once you submit your claim, you can contact a claims representative

An estimator will then calculate the repair costs based on a car inspection

You can choose to either receive a payment or have repairs completed

If you opt for compensation, you’ll receive payment via your preferred method.

If you want to repair your vehicle, a Progressive representative will help you arrange services at a shop within Progressive’s network of maintenance shops.

You won’t have to navigate the repair process alone, either. A representative will walk you through the process to ensure you’re getting the optimal service at the best price.

MORE: How to file a car accident claim report

"I moved states recently and my old provider didn’t cover me anymore, so I tried using
Jerry
. They handled everything from fetching the quotes to purchasing the new policy. Now I save $30 a month with Progressive!” —Kay J.

Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds

No spam · No long forms · No fees

Find insurance savings

What is a hit-and-run accident?

When a driver flees the scene of an accident without providing personal information, it’s considered a hit-and-run. Whether the driver leaves without exchanging their details due to panic after the collision or fear of the consequences, it comes with significant penalties.

Does Progressive always raise car insurance rates after a claim?

No. In the case of a not-at-fault accident where you were on the receiving end of the damages, your auto insurance policy wouldn’t be affected. Even if you were the at-fault driver, you could qualify for Progressive’s Accident Forgiveness benefits, which cover claims smaller than $500 and customers with a five-year tenure.

Are you overpaying for car insurance?

Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.

Try Jerry