It can happen in seconds. One moment you’re driving along, minding your own business, the next you’ve been hit by another car – and the other driver is disappearing down the road.
Whether it’s a sideswipe, a rear-end collision or being clipped at an intersection, when they happen, hit-and-run accidents can leave you with damage to deal with – and a whole lot of unanswered questions.
For example, what should you do immediately afterwards? Do you have to call the police? How does car insurance work when it comes to hit-and-runs? And will Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance still provide cover if you’re injured but the at-fault driver can’t be found?
To help you understand how to deal with a hit-and-run incident, we’ve put together this helpful guide which covers all of that and more, starting with explaining what exactly a hit-and-run is.
What constitutes a hit-and-run incident?
In terms of an official working definition, a hit-and-run occurs when a driver leaves the scene of a crash without stopping to swap details with other drivers or to help people who’ve been injured.1,2
So, where the driver of a car fails to stop, a hit-and-run could be:
- An accident on the road between two or more vehicles3
- An incident where a pedestrian is hit1
- A car park accident, where a driver hits a parked car and doesn’t leave their details.4
The short story is, fleeing a scene of an accident is an offence in Australia – even if no one’s injured, drivers must stop and exchange details.2,5
What is the penalty for hitting and running?
The fines and penalties drivers may face for a hit-and-run accident in Australia vary across states and territories, depending on whether or not someone’s injured and – in some cases – how severe those injuries are.
For example, in New South Wales, leaving the scene of a no-injury accident without exchanging details can result in a $423 fine and three demerit points.6
However, failing to stop after an accident that injures someone in NSW can lead to being fined up to $3,300, spending up to 18 months in prison and having your driver’s licence suspended for a minimum of 12 months for a first offence.7
Meanwhile, in Victoria, drivers who fail to stop after an accident that damages property or injures someone could be fined about $1,018, lose their licence for up to six months and be sentenced to 14 days in jail for a first offence.2,8 But, a driver who leaves the scene of an accident where someone is seriously injured or dies can be imprisoned for up to 10 years and fined more than $200,000.2,9
What should you do immediately after a hit-and-run car accident?
If you’re involved in a car accident, there are a number of steps to take at the scene, regardless of whether the other driver has stopped or not, including:10
- Turning off your ignition to reduce the risk of fire
- Turning on your hazard lights
- Calling an ambulance if anyone’s injured
- Removing any crash debris off the road to prevent another accident, if it’s safe to do so.10
You might wish to download this car accident checklist which outlines what to do – including the details to collect – to keep handy in your glove box.
Importantly, you’ll need to report the accident to the police, even if no one was injured. While you don’t always have to get the police involved for minor accidents in most states and territories provided everyone involved has swapped details, it’s a different story for hit-and-run incidents.10-16
How to report a hit-and-run accident to the police
If someone at the scene needs urgent medical attention or the accident has created a dangerous environment, call 000 immediately.17
The steps involved in reporting a hit-and-run incident to the police where emergency services aren’t required to attend the scene differ slightly around the country. For example, in Queensland, drivers should call Policelink on 131 444 to report the hit-and-run while they’re still at the scene;11 in Victoria, drivers can report the accident by contacting or visiting their local police station.14,18
You can learn more below about how to report a hit-and-run accident to the police depending on where you live:
Are hit-and-runs covered by insurance?
They can be, depending on the level of car insurance cover you have.19
“If you have Comprehensive car insurance, your car’s covered for accidental damage, regardless of who caused the accident or whether or not you can provide us with the other driver’s details – for example, if the other driver involved didn’t stop at the scene,” explains Marni Jackson, Youi’s Head of Product – Vehicle and Lifestyle.
Does third party insurance cover hit-and-run incidents?
Third Party Fire & Theft and Third Party Property Only insurance won’t cover any damage that occurs to your car in an accident, including a hit-and-run accident, but may cover damage your car causes to someone else’s vehicle or property as a result of the incident,19 say if the hit-and-run driver causes your car to collide with others.
How to make a hit-and-run car accident insurance claim
If you’ve been involved in a car accident that’s not your fault and the other driver failed to stop, the car insurance claims process remains the same at Youi – even if you can’t provide us with the other driver’s details.
“We use the same five-step process for every car insurance claim,” says Jackson. “It keeps things simple and transparent so you will always know what’s next and can keep moving forward as quickly as possible.”
To get the ball rolling, the first step is lodging your claim, which you can do online or by calling us on 13 9684.
In addition to your details – including your policy number – you might also be asked to provide:
- Details about where and when the accident happened20
- A description of what happened and the damage that’s occurred, including any photos you took at the scene20
- Any dashcam footage you might have21
- A police report number20
- Details of the towing company if one attended20
- Contact details of any witnesses to the accident.20
From there, we’ll handle the rest. We’ll keep you informed every step of the way, but you can also use our Online Claims Tracker to stay in the loop, anywhere, anytime.
Will you have to pay an excess for a hit-and-run claim
Most likely. “If the other driver has failed to stop and you’re unable to provide us with their details, you will need to pay your excess.” says Jackson.
What to do if you’re injured in a hit-and-run accident
In Australia, CTP insurance provides cover for people injured in car accidents, for expenses such as medical treatment, rehabilitation and even loss of income.22 So, if an injury leaves you unable to work for a while or having to cover unexpected medical bills, financial assistance may be available.
CTP insurance is mandatory everywhere in Australia,22 but making a CTP insurance claim if you’re injured in an accident where the at-fault driver didn’t stop and hasn’t been found can differ slightly from state to state.
For example, in NSW, – where CTP is called a Green Slip – you’ll need to fill out a different form from the one used when all drivers have been identified, to make an injury claim after a hit-and-run.23 In Tasmania, you’d need to satisfy the court that reasonable steps have been taken to identify the other vehicle before you can claim.24 And in Queensland, there are shorter time limits for making a CTP claim after a hit-and-run – claims must be lodged within three months of the crash instead of nine months for claims where the at-fault driver is known.25
You can find out what’s involved in making a claim if you’re injured in a hit-and-run incident by contacting your state or territory’s CTP regulator:
- NSW – State Insurance Regulatory Authority
- Victoria – Transport Accident Commission
- Queensland – Motor Accident Insurance Commission
- ACT – Motor Accident Injuries Commission
- Tasmania – Motor Accidents Insurance Board
- SA – CTP Insurance Regulator
- WA – Insurance Commission of Western Australia
- NT – Motor Accidents Compensation Commission
Being involved in a hit-and-run accident can be frustrating and stressful, but knowing what to do in the aftermath – from reporting the incident to police to what’s involved in making a car insurance claim – may help you navigate the situation with more confidence. As this guide shows, even if the other driver didn’t stop and can’t be found, you may still have options when it comes to getting your car repaired and making a CTP insurance claim if you’re injured.
At Youi, our Comprehensive car insurance covers accidental damage to your vehicle in hit-and-run incidents, while our Third Party policies cover you for damage your car might cause to other people’s property and vehicles. If you’ve been involved in a hit-and-run, have a policy with Youi and need to make a claim, you can lodge it online or call us on 13 9684. Or, if you’re reviewing your current cover, why not consider starting a quote to find car insurance that’s a bit more you-shaped?
1 Source: Menzies School of Health Research – Pedestrian deaths and serious injuries in the Northern Territory
2 Source: Vic Legal Aid – Leaving the scene of a vehicle accident, February 2026
3 Source: Qld Police – Hit and run traffic crash appeal, Southport, August 2025
4 Source: Qld Police – I hit a parked car what should I do?, November 2021
5 Source: Legal Aid New South Wales – Car accidents
6 Source: NSW Government – Search offences and penalties
7 Source: NSW Government – Serious driving offences and penalties
8 Source: Transport Victoria – Fines and fees
9 Source: Transport Victoria – Crash responsibilities
10 Source: NSW Government – What to do at a road crash
11 Source: Qld Police – Traffic crash FAQs, January 2026
12 Source: WA Government – Report a traffic crash, January 2026
13 Source: Tas Legal Aid – Motor Vehicle Crash – Property Damage
14 Source: Vic Legal Aid – Driving and accidents, February 2026
15 Source: SA Police – Report a crash
16 Source: ACT Policing – Report a collision
17 Source: Healthdirect Australia – Calling triple zero (000), September 2023
18 Source: Vic Police – Traffic accident reports, February 2026
19 Source: Moneysmart – Choosing car insurance
20 Source: Moneysmart – Claiming on your car insurance
21 Source: Legal Aid New South Wales – Evidence
22 Source: CHOICE – What is CTP car insurance?, August 2025
23 Source: NSW Government State Insurance Regulatory Authority – Accident Notification Form
24 Source: Hobart Community Legal Service Inc – Accidents and Insurance
25 Source: Qld Motor Accident Insurance Commission – Timeframes, December 2020
