If a hit-and-run or uninsured driver damaged your car in Missouri, the repair is usually paid by your own collision coverage, or by optional uninsured motorist property damage coverage if you bought it. Missouri's required uninsured motorist coverage protects people, not bumpers. Report the crash to the police right away, tell your insurer promptly, and expect to pay a deductible unless your policy says otherwise.
What the law requires, and what it does not
Missouri law requires a driver involved in a crash that injures someone or damages property to stop and give identifying information to the other party or to an officer. Driving away without doing so is the offense known as leaving the scene (RSMo 577.060). That matters for your claim because a driver who fled can be identified later, and a named driver changes who pays.
Insurance rules are a separate matter. According to the Missouri Department of Revenue, the state minimum liability limits are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 per accident for property damage. Drivers must also carry uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury (Missouri Department of Revenue, insurance information). Notice what is missing: the required uninsured motorist coverage is for bodily injury. Coverage for damage to your vehicle is a choice you make when you buy the policy.
Which coverage pays for the car
| Coverage | What it typically pays | Things to check |
|---|---|---|
| Collision | Repair of your car after a crash, whoever caused it | Deductible; optional unless a lender requires it |
| Uninsured motorist property damage | Your car's repair when an uninsured or unidentified driver is at fault | Optional add-on; deductible and limits vary; some policies cap the amount |
| Uninsured motorist bodily injury | Medical costs and related losses for injuries | Required in Missouri; does not pay for the car |
| Other driver's liability insurance | Your repair, if the at-fault driver is found and insured | Only helps once the driver is identified and fault is accepted |
| Comprehensive | Vandalism, theft and similar non-crash damage | Usually not the right coverage for a collision |
Policy wording differs from company to company, so read the declarations page or ask your agent which of these you carry. If you are unsure whether you have uninsured motorist property damage, it will normally be listed as its own line.
First steps after a hit-and-run
- Do not chase the other driver. Write down the plate number, make, color and direction of travel if you can do it safely.
- Call the police. A report number is the single most useful document for the claim. Insurers commonly ask for one when the other driver cannot be found.
- Photograph everything: damage, paint transfer, debris, skid marks, the location and nearby signs.
- Look for cameras. Doorbell cameras, businesses and traffic cameras often overwrite video within days, so ask quickly and tell the officer where they are.
- Notify your insurer and ask which coverage the claim falls under. The general steps are the same as in our step-by-step checklist for a Missouri crash.
A parked car that was hit
Finding a dent on a parked car with no note is the most common version of this problem. The same rules apply: file a police report, photograph the damage and the surroundings, and check lot or building cameras. If a note with a name and number was left, take a photo of it. Without an identified driver, a parked-car claim usually runs through collision or uninsured motorist property damage coverage.
When the driver is found but has no insurance
Driving without the required insurance is illegal in Missouri, but that does not guarantee the other driver can pay. Your options usually look like this:
- Use your own collision or uninsured motorist property damage coverage and let your insurer handle recovery from the other driver.
- Ask the other driver for payment directly. Get any agreement in writing and be cautious about accepting a partial amount before you know the full repair cost, since hidden damage often appears once the bumper is off (see what hides behind the plastic).
- Pursue a civil claim in small claims or a higher court if the amount justifies it. A judgment is only useful if the person has money or income to collect from.
Missouri also has a state reporting rule that applies here. If an uninsured motorist was involved and the crash caused more than $500 in property damage, or anyone was hurt or killed, the Department of Revenue says a Motor Vehicle Accident Report (Form 1140) must be filed within one year of the crash. Our guide to collision claims in Missouri explains how this fits with the claim itself.
Deductibles, repairs and rentals
Under collision coverage you pay the deductible and the insurer pays the rest of a covered repair. Under uninsured motorist property damage coverage, the deductible may be different, so ask. Some policies reduce or waive it when the other driver is identified and later pays the insurer back. Do not assume this; confirm it in writing.
Choose the shop yourself. You are generally free to pick your own body shop, and the insurer's estimate is a starting point, not a final price. Our guide to choosing a collision repair shop lists the questions worth asking. If the car cannot be driven, check whether your policy includes rental reimbursement before you rent; who pays for a rental during repairs is covered separately. If repairs would cost more than the car is worth, the claim becomes a total loss settlement, described in our total loss guide.
Common mistakes
- Waiting days to call the police, which makes the report and the video harder to get.
- Assuming that required uninsured motorist coverage covers the car.
- Accepting cash on the spot without knowing the repair cost.
- Letting the one-year reporting window slip when the other driver was uninsured.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays for my car after a hit-and-run in Missouri?
Usually your own insurer, under collision coverage or optional uninsured motorist property damage coverage. If the driver is later identified and insured, their liability policy may repay your insurer or you.
Does Missouri's required uninsured motorist coverage fix my car?
No. The required uninsured motorist coverage is for bodily injury, at $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Vehicle damage is covered only if you carry collision or optional uninsured motorist property damage coverage.
Do I need a police report for a hit-and-run claim?
The law does not spell out a report requirement for your insurance claim, but insurers commonly ask for one when the other driver cannot be found. Filing a report quickly is the safest step.
What if the driver who hit my parked car left no note?
Treat it as a hit-and-run: call the police, photograph the damage and the area, ask nearby businesses about cameras, and notify your insurer.
Do I have to file a state accident report if the other driver was uninsured?
If an uninsured motorist was involved and property damage exceeded $500 or someone was injured or killed, the Department of Revenue says Form 1140 is required within one year of the crash.