Hit and run — Police · the UK

Direct answer

Report it to Police — 101 / report online (999 in an emergency) (101) within 24 hours — for insurance and for the search: cameras, witnesses and paint traces find more drivers than people think. If the driver is never found, Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) (01908 830001) — the motor guarantee fund for the UK — pays for personal injury and, under conditions, for vehicle damage. Your own comprehensive insurance pays first if you have it; if the insurer refuses or delays, Financial Ombudsman Service (0800 023 4567) decides.

Call firstPolice — 101 / report online (999 in an emergency)

Report toMotor Insurers' Bureau (MIB)

If that failsFinancial Ombudsman Service

🗣️ What to say

"On [date] at [time] my car [plate] was hit at [place] by [description / plate if known] who left the scene. Damage: [what]. Witnesses: [names]. Photos attached. I want to report this and get the case number for my insurer and the guarantee fund."

🪜 Step by step

ScenePhotos of the damage, the position, paint traces, nearby cameras. Ask bystanders for their number.
Report to Police — 101 / report online (999 in an emergency)Within 24 hours; online in many countries. The report is required by the fund and the insurer.
InsurerComprehensive covers it; report the claim with the police number. Liability-only: go to the fund.
Guarantee fund: Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB)Personal injury always; vehicle damage usually with conditions (identified vehicle, or injury alongside). Deadlines apply.
Parked car found damagedSame route; report and look for a note or a witness before you drive away.

📇 All contacts

Police — 101 / report online (999 in an emergency)Local police for any crime that is not fraudBurglary, theft, threats, stalking📞 101 🔗 www.police.uk

Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB)Compensation for uninsured and untraced driversWhen the driver is unknown or uninsured📞 01908 830001 🔗 www.mib.org.uk

Financial Ombudsman ServiceFree, binding complaints against insurersAfter the insurer's final response📞 0800 023 4567 🔗 www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk

Victim Support — 0808 168 9111Free, confidential victim support; CICA compensationAfter any crime📞 0808 168 9111 🔗 www.victimsupport.org.uk

❓ Frequently asked

Will my premium go up?

A claim on your comprehensive policy for a hit-and-run is usually treated as no-fault; check the policy, and ask Financial Ombudsman Service if the insurer applies a penalty.

The driver left a note — can I trust it?

Contact them and their insurer in writing; if the details are false, report it as hit-and-run.

I was on a bike

Same: police report, then the fund for injury — cyclists and pedestrians are exactly who it is for.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

“hit and run who pays the UK”
“car damaged driver drove off”
“motor guarantee fund the UK”
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“parked car hit unknown driver insurance”

🧭 Is this still correct?

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🚗 My car was hit and the driver drove off — who pays, and who do I contact?