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Hit-and-run in Texas: uninsured motorist coverage, police reports and crash records

What Texas law says about uninsured motorist coverage when the driver is unknown, what TDI says about reporting and claim notice, which duties Texas puts on a driver who leaves, how a hit-and-run is reported to HPD or the Harris County Sheriff, and which crash records exist.

13 min readPublished October 30, 2026Last updated October 30, 2026Edited by Joseph Budzinski, CTO, InjuryClaimGuide

The short answer

When the driver who caused a crash is unknown, the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) says uninsured motorist coverage "also pays if you're in a hit-and-run accident and the other driver can't be found to pay for damages" (TDI). The Insurance Code adds one condition that every policy form must contain: when the owner or operator of the vehicle "is unknown, actual physical contact must have occurred between the motor vehicle owned or operated by the unknown person and the person or property of the insured" (Ins. Code §1952.104(3)). TDI also says "Your uninsured motorist coverage won't pay for a hit-and-run accident if you didn't report it to police" (TDI, Auto insurance guide).

Separately, Texas law puts duties on a driver who is involved in a crash and requires a driver to notify police (Transp. Code §§550.021-.026). This guide explains the coverage side and the reporting-and-records side, with the official text linked for each point. It is general information, not legal advice, and it does not say whether any coverage applies to any crash. The policy states its own terms, and your insurer can tell you what yours includes.

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Key facts (as of October 30, 2026)

  • Coverage is part of an auto liability policy unless rejected in writing. An insurer may not issue an automobile liability policy in Texas unless it provides uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, and the coverage "does not apply if any insured named in the insurance policy rejects the coverage in writing" (Ins. Code §1952.101(b)-(c)).
  • Unknown driver: the policy must require physical contact. (§1952.104(3)).
  • TDI on reporting. UM coverage won't pay for a hit-and-run accident that was not reported to police (TDI, Auto insurance guide).
  • TDI on telling the insurer. "Tell your company about the accident as soon as possible. Most companies have deadlines for filing claims" (TDI, Auto insurance guide).
  • Notice to police is a statutory duty of each driver. Required after a collision that results in injury to or death of a person, or damage to a vehicle to the extent that it cannot be normally and safely driven (§550.026(a)).
  • Officer's report. An officer who in the regular course of duty investigates a collision with injury or death, or damage to the property of any one person to the apparent extent of $1,000 or more, must file a written report electronically with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) not later than the 10th day after the collision (§550.062).
  • Houston: online reporting is limited. HPD accepts online reports only for minor hit-and-run collisions with no injuries, no towing and damage under $1,000 (HPD, Online Reporting).
  • PIP does not depend on fault. (Ins. Code §1952.155(a)).

How this guide fits with the other hit-and-run guides

Our guide Hit-and-run crashes in Texas, including Houston covers what a driver must do at the scene, the offense for leaving, and the basic reporting steps. The statute reference Texas UM/UIM coverage, Insurance Code §1952.101 sets out the coverage text, and uninsured and underinsured motorist claims in Texas explains the coverage in general. This guide does not repeat them. It adds how the coverage is described for an unknown driver, what TDI says about claim notice, and how the reporting and records side works in Houston and Harris County.

What coverage can be involved when the other driver is unknown?

Several coverages can appear in a crash with an unknown driver. The official sources describe them this way:

  • Uninsured motorist coverage. Defined in §1952.101(a) as the provisions of an automobile liability policy that "protects insureds who are legally entitled to recover from owners or operators of uninsured or underinsured motor vehicles damages for bodily injury, sickness, disease, or death, or property damage resulting from the ownership, maintenance, or use of any motor vehicle" (Ins. Code §1952.101). TDI says it also pays in a hit-and-run when the other driver can't be found.
  • Personal injury protection (PIP). A policy includes it unless an insured named in the policy rejects it in writing (§1952.152), and its benefits are payable without regard to fault (§1952.155(a)). Our guide on PIP covers it in more detail.
  • Medical payments and collision coverage. TDI says "Most auto policies include collision coverage that will pay for car repairs if you're in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver," and that "Your auto policy might have medical payments and personal injury protection coverages that will pay medical bills" (TDI). TDI's separate page on what to do after a wreck repeats this for a driver who "didn't have insurance or drove away" (TDI, Were you in a wreck?).

Which of these a policy includes, and its limits and deductibles, are shown on the first page of the policy, which TDI calls the declaration page (TDI, Auto insurance guide).

What does TDI say uninsured motorist coverage pays for?

TDI's page lists what uninsured/underinsured coverage pays for: car repairs and replacing property in the car, a rental car if needed, the medical bills of you and your passenger, and other items it names (TDI). The Auto insurance guide adds that the insurance company will pay for a rental car if "you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and the accident was a hit-and-run," and "only for the time it believes is reasonable to repair or replace your car," and "only up to your policy's rental coverage dollar limits" (TDI, Auto insurance guide). This guide does not say what any policy pays for any crash.

For property damage, the statute says coverage "must be offered to an insured in the amounts desired by the insured, but not in amounts greater than the limits of liability specified in the property damage liability provisions of the insured's policy," subject to a deductible amount of $250 (§1952.105(b)). An insured who has collision coverage and uninsured or underinsured property damage liability coverage "may recover under the coverage the insured chooses" (§1952.107(a)), and the section sets rules for using both when neither is enough alone.

What does the statute say about an unknown driver?

The only provision in subchapter C that names an unknown owner or operator is §1952.104(3). A policy form must "require that, for the insured to recover under the uninsured motorist coverage if the owner or operator of any motor vehicle that causes bodily injury or property damage to the insured is unknown, actual physical contact must have occurred between the motor vehicle owned or operated by the unknown person and the person or property of the insured" (Ins. Code §1952.104(3)).

Three limits on what this section says:

  • It describes what the policy form must require. It does not define "actual physical contact" beyond those words, and this guide does not say how the phrase applies to any crash.
  • It speaks of the uninsured motorist coverage. TDI describes the hit-and-run situation in the same terms, as part of UM/UIM coverage.
  • Section 1952.109 says "The insurer has the burden of proof in a dispute as to whether a motor vehicle is uninsured." This guide does not say how that sentence applies when a vehicle's owner is unknown.

An action against an insurer about this coverage "may be brought only in the county in which" the policyholder or beneficiary lived at the time of the accident, or the accident occurred (§1952.110). Section 1952.101 also provides that the coverage does not apply if any insured named in the policy rejected it in writing, which is why the declarations page and policy are where to look first.

What does TDI say about reporting and claim notice?

TDI's published tips for auto claims say, in its own words:

  • "Call the police if you were hit by a driver who left the scene. Your uninsured motorist coverage won't pay for a hit-and-run accident if you didn't report it to police." (TDI, Auto insurance guide)
  • "Tell your company about the accident as soon as possible. Most companies have deadlines for filing claims. Your insurance card should have a number you can call to report claims." (same page)
  • "Send the company copies of the police accident report. It usually takes a few days for the police officer to file a report." (same page)
  • "Tell the company if you were injured. If you went to the emergency room or to a doctor, give the company copies of the medical reports and doctors' bills." (same page)
  • "If someone was injured or the other driver drove away, call the police. Get a copy of the police report for your insurance company." (TDI, Were you in a wreck?)
  • After you get home: "Call your insurance company to report the accident," get the adjuster's name and phone number, and keep medical records and bills (same page).

TDI also says a company must tell you it got your claim within 15 days of getting notice, and must accept or reject it within 15 business days of getting all the information it needs from you, with longer time allowed in some cases and a written reason if it is denied (TDI, Auto insurance guide). The policy sets its own notice terms; this guide does not state a deadline for any claim.

What does Texas law require of a driver who leaves?

These are the duties the offense of leaving the scene refers to. The operator of a vehicle involved in a collision that results or is reasonably likely to result in injury to or death of a person must immediately stop at or return to the scene, determine whether anyone requires aid, and remain until complying with §550.023, which requires giving name and address, vehicle registration number and liability insurer, showing a driver's license if requested and available, and giving reasonable assistance to an injured person (Transp. Code §550.021(a), §550.023). A person commits an offense by not stopping or not complying, graded by the result: a second-degree felony if a person died, a third-degree felony for serious bodily injury, and, for any other injury, punishable by imprisonment or confinement, a fine, or both (§550.021(c)). Our reference entry Texas Transportation Code chapter 550 sets out the statute text.

What do Texas statutes say about investigating a crash?

Texas statutes say what officers may do and must record, not how any agency finds a particular driver. What the sources read for this guide state:

  • A peace officer notified of a collision resulting in injury or death, or property damage to an apparent extent of at least $1,000, "may investigate the collision and file justifiable charges relating to the collision" (Transp. Code §550.041(a)).
  • An officer who investigates such a collision must make a written report, filed electronically with TxDOT not later than the 10th day, whether the officer investigates at the scene or "afterwards by interviewing those involved in the collision or witnesses to the collision" (§550.062).
  • The report goes on a form approved by TxDOT and the Department of Public Safety, and the person filing it "shall disclose all information required by the form unless the information is not available" (§550.063).
  • HPD's phone directory lists a Hit and Run line at 713-247-4065, a Vehicular Crimes Division line at 713-247-4072, and Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477 (HPD, Phone Directory).

This guide does not describe how any agency investigates a hit-and-run, because the official pages read do not. It also does not suggest using a crash report or any record to look up, find or contact another person; those reports are released only as the statute allows, and the personal details are withheld from the redacted version (§550.065(c-1), (f)). InjuryClaimGuide does not search for or identify drivers.

How do you report a hit-and-run in Houston or Harris County?

By statute, the notice goes to the local police department if the collision occurred in a municipality; to the local police department or the sheriff's office if not more than 100 feet outside a municipality's limits; and otherwise to the sheriff's office or the nearest office of the Department of Public Safety (§550.026(a); "department" means the Department of Public Safety, §541.002(1)). As of October 30, 2026, the official pages say:

  • Inside the City of Houston (HPD). The website "should never be used to report an emergency, a crime in progress, or any type of injury." Call 9-1-1 for emergencies and 713-884-3131 for any other situation that requires the response of a police officer. If the collision just occurred, someone is injured, or the situation requires an immediate response, call 9-1-1 (HPD, Online Reporting).
  • HPD online reports. Online reporting "is limited to minor hit-and-run collisions." The requirements include no injuries, a vehicle that did not need to be towed, damage under $1,000, and a collision that is not an emergency. HPD says no collision diagram is provided when filing online, and the system asks additional questions to decide whether the incident qualifies. A temporary case number given at submission "is not an official HPD Incident Number"; if the report is approved, HPD emails the official Incident Number and a report synopsis (same page).
  • Unincorporated Harris County (HCSO). The Sheriff's Office says to dial 9-1-1 for serious injuries and to contact HCSO at 713-221-6000 if any party is injured, a vehicle cannot be removed from the roadway, or a driver does not have a license or proof of insurance (HCSO, Report Crime).
  • Other cities in Harris County. A crash inside another city is reported to that city's police department under §550.026(a)(1).

TDI says to get the officer's name and badge number so you can follow up (TDI, Auto insurance guide). Our guide on how to get a crash report in Houston explains the Houston-area release process.

Which crash records exist, and who can request them?

  • The officer's crash report (CR-3). TxDOT calls itself the custodian of Texas crash records, says it collects reports from law enforcement agencies, and says its retention schedule is 10 years plus the current year. A copy of a Texas Peace Officer's Crash Report (CR-3) can be requested through TxDOT's Crash Report Online Purchase System (TxDOT, Crash reports and records).
  • Who may receive it. On written request and payment of any required fee, §550.065(c)(4) lists persons "directly concerned in the collision or having a proper interest therein," including a person involved, a vehicle or property owner, and an insurance company that issued a policy covering a vehicle or person involved (§550.065(c)). Others may get a redacted report.
  • A certification that nothing is on file. The statute allows the department or governmental entity to issue "a certification that no report or information is on file" (§550.065(d)).
  • Crashes no officer investigated. TxDOT says the Driver's Crash Report (Form CR-2) is no longer retained by TxDOT and that drivers given one or a similar local form should keep it for their records. HCSO says a driver involved in a crash "not investigated by a law enforcement officer" with injury or at least $1,000 in apparent property damage "may complete a form and maintain a copy for their records" (HCSO, Report Crime).

Our guides on getting a Texas crash report, reading a Texas crash report and Texas crash report access under §550.065 cover release and contents.

Is there a Houston or Harris County rule on this coverage?

No City of Houston or Harris County rule on uninsured motorist coverage or on insurer claim notice was found. The coverage and claim-handling rules are statewide (Insurance Code ch. 1952 and TDI). The local parts are the HPD and HCSO reporting channels above.

Were you walking or on a bicycle?

TDI's uninsured motorist page speaks of "the driver who caused the accident" and does not separate drivers from pedestrians. Our guides on pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents cover the Texas rules for those crashes. A separate guide covers crime victims compensation after a Texas crash.

What people commonly keep after a hit-and-run

TDI's tips name items to collect, and the existing hit-and-run guide lists others. Together:

  • Pictures of the accident scene, any damage, street signs and road angles (TDI, Auto insurance guide; TDI, Were you in a wreck?)
  • The location, time, weather conditions and what happened, written down
  • Names and phone numbers of witnesses
  • The police report or incident number, the agency's name and the officer's name and badge number
  • Medical records and bills
  • The declarations page of your auto policy and your claim numbers and letters from your insurer

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Frequently asked questions

Does uninsured motorist coverage apply when the driver who hit me is never found?
The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) says uninsured motorist coverage "also pays if you're in a hit-and-run accident and the other driver can't be found to pay for damages." Insurance Code §1952.104(3) requires the policy form to provide that, when the owner or operator of the vehicle that causes the bodily injury or property damage is unknown, "actual physical contact must have occurred" between that vehicle and the person or property of the insured. This guide does not say whether the coverage applies to any crash; the policy states its own terms.
Do I have to report a hit-and-run to the police for uninsured motorist coverage?
TDI's Auto insurance guide says "Your uninsured motorist coverage won't pay for a hit-and-run accident if you didn't report it to police." Separately, Transportation Code §550.026(a) requires the operator of a vehicle involved in a collision that results in injury to or death of a person to give immediate notice of it to the local police department, the sheriff's office or the nearest Department of Public Safety office, depending on where it happened.
What does the physical contact rule mean?
The statute says the policy must require "actual physical contact" between the unknown person's vehicle and the person or property of the insured. It does not define the phrase further in §1952.104, and this guide does not say how it applies to any crash. The policy's own wording and your insurer can explain how the policy states the rule.
Does personal injury protection (PIP) depend on finding the other driver?
Under Insurance Code §1952.155(a), PIP benefits are payable without regard to "the fault or nonfault of the named insured or recipient in causing or contributing to the collision." Under §1952.152, a policy includes PIP unless an insured named in the policy rejects it in writing. Your declarations page shows whether your policy includes it.
How is a hit-and-run reported in Houston?
As of October 30, 2026, HPD says to call 9-1-1 for an emergency, and 713-884-3131 for any other situation that requires the response of a police officer. HPD's online reporting is limited to minor hit-and-run collisions with no injuries, no towing and damage under $1,000. The Harris County Sheriff's Office says to dial 9-1-1 for serious injuries and lists 713-221-6000 to contact HCSO after a traffic crash in the situations its page names.
What duties does Texas law put on a driver who leaves the scene?
Under Transportation Code §550.021, the operator of a vehicle involved in a collision that results or is reasonably likely to result in injury to or death of a person must immediately stop at or return to the scene, determine whether a person requires aid, and remain until §550.023 is met, which requires giving name, address, vehicle registration number and liability insurer and providing reasonable assistance to an injured person. Not stopping or not complying is an offense, graded by the result of the collision.
Can InjuryClaimGuide help find the driver who left?
No. InjuryClaimGuide is a legal advertising service. We do not search for or identify the other people involved in a crash, we do not contact them, and we do not evaluate any claim. An attorney can advise you about your specific situation.

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