It's an unwelcome surprise on top of an already bad day: you've been hit, it wasn't your fault — and the other driver has no insurance, or nowhere near enough. The good news is you're not necessarily stuck with the bill. Here's how to protect yourself and get your car fixed.

First, treat it like any accident

Before anything else, run the usual playbook: get to safety, call 911, document the scene with photos, and exchange whatever information you can. A police report is especially important here, because it's the official record you'll lean on when you file with your own insurer. Our full walkthrough is in what to do after a car accident.

Your coverage options

This is where your own policy can step in. Two coverages do the heavy lifting:

• Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage — designed for exactly this situation. It can cover your injuries and, in some states, property damage when the at-fault driver has no insurance or too little.
• Collision coverage — pays to repair your vehicle regardless of who was at fault. You'd typically pay your deductible, which you may be able to recover later.

Underinsured is its own problem

Sometimes the other driver has insurance, but their limits are too low to cover the damage they caused. That's where the "underinsured" half of UIM comes in — it can help bridge the gap between their coverage and what you're actually owed.

Steps to take

1. Document the scene thoroughly and get a police report.
2. Notify your own insurance company promptly.
3. File under your UM/UIM and/or collision coverage.
4. Get your vehicle to a repair shop you trust.

Getting your car repaired

Even when you're using your own coverage, the choice of repair shop is still yours — not your insurer's. We work directly with your insurance company on the estimate and approvals through our insurance claims process, and handle the collision repair itself. (Want the full picture on why the shop is your call? See do you have to use your insurance's body shop?)

What about a hit-and-run?

If the driver who hit you fled the scene, it's generally treated like an uninsured-driver situation, and UM coverage often applies. A police report is critical in these cases, so report it as soon as you safely can.

This article is general information, not legal or financial advice. Coverage, requirements, and rules vary by state and policy — check with your insurer or a qualified professional about your specific situation.

Helpful outside resources

The Insurance Information Institute has clear explanations of uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, and the NHTSA covers crash safety and reporting.

Frequently asked questions