After a hit-and-run or collision with an uninsured driver, the repair questions arrive quickly: Is the vehicle safe to drive? What should be documented? Which coverage may apply? NextGen Collision helps organize the damage-assessment and repair side of the process.
What To Do First
- Move to a safe location and call emergency services when anyone may be injured.
- Photograph the vehicle, scene, debris, road conditions, and any available plate or witness information.
- File the appropriate police report and save the report number.
- Notify your insurer promptly and request the applicable claim instructions.
- Avoid authorizing permanent repairs until required inspections or approvals are addressed.
Coverage Can Vary
Collision coverage, uninsured-motorist property-damage coverage, deductibles, exclusions, and reporting requirements vary by policy and state rules. We document vehicle damage and provide repair information; your insurer or licensed coverage professional determines what the policy pays.
What We Provide
- Written collision damage assessment
- Repair photos and itemized estimate
- Structural, body, paint, glass, and related mechanical evaluation
- Supplement documentation if hidden damage is found
- Communication with the claim representative when authorized
- Cash-pay estimate when coverage is unavailable or not used
Do Not Ignore Driveability Concerns
Wheel contact, fluid leaks, warning lights, steering changes, loose panels, broken lamps, or deployed restraints can indicate that the vehicle should not be driven. Call us to discuss towing or a safe inspection plan.
Who Pays When There’s No One to Bill?
After a hit-and-run — or a crash with an uninsured driver — the repair is usually paid through your own policy’s uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage or your collision coverage. We work with these claims every week: we document the damage the way UM claims require, provide the itemized estimate your carrier needs, and bill them directly so you’re not fronting the cost of someone else’s mistake.
The First 24 Hours Matter
A police report strengthens a UM claim — file one even if the other driver is long gone. Photograph the scene and damage if you safely can. Then get the vehicle to us: our 24/7 monitored drop-off means the documentation and claim process can start the same night as the accident.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you determine whether my policy covers the repair?
No. Coverage decisions belong to the insurance carrier. We provide the repair estimate and documentation the reviewer may need.
Can I get an estimate before deciding whether to claim?
Yes. A damage assessment can help you understand the repair scope before choosing the next step.
Will a hit-and-run claim raise my insurance rates?
Rate decisions belong to your insurer and vary by policy and state rules — we can’t promise outcomes. What we can do is document the damage thoroughly so the claim is processed as what it is: a not-at-fault loss.
What if I don’t have uninsured motorist coverage?
Collision coverage on your own policy typically applies instead. Bring your declarations page (or call your agent) and we’ll walk through the repair options with whatever coverage you have.
Related Services
Emergency Collision Help →Insurance Claims →Collision Repair →
Get a Clear Repair Assessment
Tell us what happened and share the claim or vehicle information you already have. We’ll help you identify the next repair step.