Will a hit-and-run claim increase my insurance rates in Ontario?

Generally, no. Under Ontario's Fault Determination Rules, if you are found 0% at fault — which is typical in a hit-and-run where you did nothing wrong — the claim should not trigger a premium surcharge. However, the claim does go on your record, and some insurers may adjust discounts at renewal. Filing a police report strengthens your not-at-fault status.

Does DCPD cover hit-and-run damage to my car?

No. Direct Compensation Property Damage (DCPD), which is mandatory in Ontario, only applies when the at-fault driver and their insurer can be identified. In a hit and run with an unidentified driver, your vehicle damage falls to your optional collision coverage. Without collision on your policy, you would pay for repairs out of pocket.

What is the difference between Uninsured Automobile Coverage and collision coverage in a hit and run?

Uninsured Automobile Coverage (UAC) is mandatory on every Ontario auto policy, but it only covers bodily injury — not vehicle damage. It pays up to $200,000 if you are hurt by an unidentified or uninsured driver. Collision coverage is optional and pays to repair or replace your vehicle regardless of who caused the accident, subject to your deductible. For full hit-and-run protection, you need both.

How long do I have to report a hit and run to police and my insurer?

Report to the police within 24 hours — either by calling the non-emergency line or visiting a Collision Reporting Centre. Notify your insurance broker or company as soon as possible, ideally the same day. You have 7 days to tell your insurer you intend to apply for accident benefits, and 30 days to submit the initial application forms. Missing these deadlines can jeopardize your claim.

Auto Insurance

Hit and Run in Ontario: What to Do, How Your Insurance Works, and What You're Owed

By Rob RoughleyFebruary 23, 20229 min read

You walk out of the grocery store to find a fresh dent in your door and no note on the windshield. Or worse — someone rear-ends you on the highway and speeds off before you can read a plate number. Your heart is pounding, you're furious, and you have no idea who did it.

Hit-and-run incidents are frustratingly common in Ontario, particularly in parking lots, which account for roughly one in five collisions province-wide. The good news: Ontario drivers have more insurance protection than they realize. The catch: the coverage that kicks in is probably not the one you think it is.

Here is exactly what to do after a hit and run, how each layer of your auto insurance actually responds, and the one optional endorsement we recommend to every client.

Step-by-Step: What to Do at the Scene

When you discover the damage or witness the other driver fleeing, follow these steps in order:

1. Make sure everyone is safe. Check yourself and any passengers for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately. If your vehicle is blocking traffic and is drivable, move it to a safe spot. Otherwise, turn on your hazard lights.

2. Document everything you can. Pull out your phone and record:

The exact time and location of the incident
Photos of the damage to your vehicle from multiple angles
Photos of the surrounding area (skid marks, debris, paint transfer)
The other vehicle's make, model, colour, and any portion of the licence plate
A description of the driver, if you saw them
The direction the vehicle was heading

Even partial details help. A colour and a partial plate can be enough for police to track down the other driver — and identifying them changes your entire claim.

3. Look for witnesses. Nearby drivers, pedestrians, or store employees may have seen the incident. Ask for their name and phone number. In a parking lot, ask the property manager whether security cameras cover the area.

4. File a police report. This is not optional for hit-and-run incidents. Report to the police within 24 hours — either by calling the non-emergency line or visiting a Collision Reporting Centre. Provide all the details and evidence you gathered. The police report creates an official record that your insurer will require.

Note on Ontario's reporting threshold: As of January 1, 2025, Ontario raised the general collision reporting threshold from $2,000 to $5,000 in property damage. However, hit-and-run incidents should always be reported to police regardless of the damage amount, because the other driver committed an offence by leaving the scene and because the police report is essential to your insurance claim.

5. Call your insurance broker. Contact us the same day if possible. The sooner we start the claim, the smoother the process. We will walk you through the paperwork and make sure you do not miss any deadlines.

How Your Ontario Auto Insurance Responds to a Hit and Run

This is where most drivers get confused. Ontario's auto insurance system has several layers, and each one treats hit-and-run claims differently.

DCPD: Mandatory, But It Will Not Help Here

Direct Compensation Property Damage (DCPD) is the mandatory coverage that pays for damage to your vehicle when you are not at fault. It works well in a standard two-car collision where both drivers are identified and insured.

But DCPD has a critical requirement: the at-fault driver and their insurer must be identifiable. In a hit and run with an unknown driver, DCPD does not apply. Your insurer simply has nobody to assign fault to under the system.

Collision Coverage: Your Real Protection (Optional)

This is the coverage that actually pays to repair or replace your vehicle after a hit and run. Collision coverage is optional in Ontario, and it applies regardless of fault — whether you caused the accident, hit a guardrail, or were the victim of a hit and run.

The trade-off: you pay your deductible. If you carry a $500 or $1,000 collision deductible, that amount comes out of your pocket. Since the other driver is unidentified, your insurer cannot recover the cost through subrogation (chasing the at-fault driver's insurer for reimbursement). If the other driver is eventually found, your deductible may be refunded.

If you do not carry collision coverage, you pay for the repairs yourself. This is the single biggest coverage gap we see with hit-and-run claims. We always recommend collision coverage, even on older vehicles, for exactly this reason.

Uninsured Automobile Coverage: Mandatory for Bodily Injury

Every Ontario auto policy includes Uninsured Automobile Coverage (UAC) under Section 265 of the Insurance Act. This coverage protects you if you are injured by an unidentified or uninsured driver.

UAC pays up to $200,000 for bodily injury damages — things like pain and suffering, lost income beyond what accident benefits cover, and other losses you would normally sue the at-fault driver for. In a hit and run, you cannot sue someone you cannot identify, so UAC fills that gap.

Important: UAC covers bodily injury only, not vehicle damage. It is a separate layer from collision coverage, and both are needed for complete protection.

Accident Benefits: Available Regardless of Fault

Ontario's Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS) provides medical, rehabilitation, and income replacement benefits after any auto accident — regardless of who was at fault and regardless of whether the other driver is identified. These benefits are paid by your own insurer.

Standard accident benefits include:

Medical and rehabilitation expenses (up to $65,000 for non-catastrophic injuries)
Income replacement benefits (70% of gross income, up to $400/week)
Attendant care, if needed
Non-earner benefits for those not employed at the time of the accident

Critical deadline: You must notify your insurer within 7 days that you intend to apply for accident benefits, and submit the application forms within 30 days of the accident. Missing these deadlines can result in losing your entitlement.

Family Protection Coverage (OPCF 44R): The Endorsement We Recommend

This is the optional endorsement we add to nearly every client's policy. OPCF 44R — commonly called Family Protection Coverage — tops up your protection when the at-fault driver is unidentified, uninsured, or underinsured.

Here is how it works in a hit-and-run scenario: if you are injured and the at-fault driver cannot be found, standard UAC covers you up to $200,000. But if your injuries are serious and your losses exceed that amount, OPCF 44R kicks in and covers the difference up to your own policy's third-party liability limit — typically $1,000,000 or $2,000,000.

The endorsement also covers your spouse, dependants, and household family members — whether they were in your car, another vehicle, walking, or cycling when they were struck. The cost to add OPCF 44R is typically modest relative to the protection it provides. Ask us about it at your next renewal.

The Legal Consequences for the Driver Who Fled

Leaving the scene of a collision is a serious offence in Ontario. It can be prosecuted under provincial law, federal criminal law, or both.

Under Ontario's Highway Traffic Act (Section 200):

Fines between $400 and $2,000
7 demerit points
Licence suspension of up to 2 years
Up to 6 months in jail for severe cases

Under the Criminal Code of Canada (Section 320.16):

Failure to stop after an accident: up to 10 years imprisonment on indictment
If the accident caused bodily harm: up to 14 years imprisonment
If the accident caused death: up to life imprisonment
Mandatory driving prohibition and a permanent criminal record

These penalties exist for a reason. If you are ever involved in a collision — even a minor fender-bender in a parking lot — you are legally required to stop, provide your information, and offer assistance. The consequences of driving away are far worse than the consequences of staying.

Will a Hit-and-Run Claim Raise My Rates?

This is the first question most clients ask, and the answer is usually reassuring. Under Ontario's Fault Determination Rules, a hit-and-run victim is typically assessed at 0% fault. A not-at-fault claim should not trigger a premium surcharge.

That said, insurance pricing is complex. Some insurers factor in claim frequency (regardless of fault) when calculating renewals, and filing any claim can sometimes affect multi-year claims-free discounts. In our experience, the financial impact of a legitimate hit-and-run claim on your premiums is minimal to nonexistent — and it is always better than absorbing thousands in repair costs yourself.

Filing the police report is important here. It creates the official record that supports your not-at-fault status and makes it much harder for an insurer to question the circumstances.

Protect Yourself Before It Happens

The best time to review your coverage is before you need it. Here is what we recommend for every Ontario driver:

Carry collision coverage. It is optional, but it is your only vehicle-damage protection in a hit and run. Even on an older car, the peace of mind is worth the premium.
Add OPCF 44R (Family Protection Coverage). For a modest additional cost, it bridges the gap between the $200,000 statutory minimum and your full liability limit if you or a family member is seriously injured by an unidentified driver.
Review your deductible. A lower collision deductible means less out of pocket after a hit and run — though it comes with a slightly higher premium. We can model both options for you.
Install a dashcam. A front-and-rear dashcam can capture plate numbers, vehicle descriptions, and even footage of the impact. This evidence can turn an unidentified driver into an identified one — which changes the entire claims process in your favour.

Talk to Your Broker

Hit-and-run claims are stressful, but they do not have to be complicated. If you have been involved in one, call us immediately — we will handle the claim and make sure every deadline is met. If you want to make sure your coverage is ready before it happens, request a quote or call our team at (905) 576-7770.

We have three offices across Durham Region — in Oshawa, Bowmanville, and Port Perry — and we are available Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.