• By Raymond Momanyi

Hit-and-Run Car Insurance Claims in Kenya | Imana

Does car insurance cover a hit-and-run in Kenya? Learn which policy pays, what to do immediately, the documents required, excesses and claim steps.

Does Car Insurance in Kenya Cover Hit-and-Run Accidents?

Yes—but usually only if your vehicle has Comprehensive motor insurance. If an unidentified driver hits your car and disappears, a Comprehensive policy may pay for the insured accidental damage to your vehicle, subject to the policy wording, evidence, assessment, exclusions and applicable excess.

Third-Party Only insurance does not normally repair your own vehicle. Third-Party, Fire and Theft cover also does not ordinarily cover accidental collision damage to your car merely because the other driver fled.

If the hit-and-run vehicle and its insurer are later identified, you may be able to pursue a third-party claim against the responsible driver or insurer. Liability and compensation must still be established; a registration number alone does not automatically prove who was driving or who caused the accident.

This guide explains what Kenyan motorists should do after a hit-and-run, whether the incident happens in traffic, outside an apartment, in a shopping-centre car park or while the vehicle is parked overnight.

What is a hit-and-run accident?

A hit-and-run happens when a driver involved in a road accident leaves without stopping, providing the required information or participating in the reporting process.

Common examples include:

• A vehicle sideswipes your car on Thika Road and drives away
• A matatu damages your bumper in Nairobi traffic and disappears
• You return to a Westlands parking space and find your car damaged with no note
• A motorcycle knocks off your side mirror and leaves the scene
• An unidentified vehicle forces you off the road without making physical contact
• A driver hits a pedestrian or cyclist and fails to stop

The claim can become harder when the responsible vehicle is unidentified, but lack of a known third party does not automatically defeat an own-damage claim under Comprehensive insurance.

Which motor insurance covers a hit-and-run in Kenya?

Comprehensive motor insurance

Comprehensive insurance is the cover most likely to respond when an unidentified vehicle damages your car. It generally covers insured accidental loss or damage to the insured vehicle, whether or not the other driver is traced, subject to the contract.

The insurer will normally require prompt notification, a police report, evidence of the damage and an opportunity to inspect the vehicle before repairs begin. You may have to pay an excess unless the policy or an applicable extension removes it.

Cover is not automatic. A claim may be affected by exclusions, an unauthorised driver, an invalid driving licence, use outside the insured class, intoxication, material non-disclosure, delayed reporting or repairs undertaken without approval.

Third-Party Only insurance

Third-Party Only, commonly called TPO, protects you against covered legal liability for injury, death or property damage suffered by other people. It does not insure accidental damage to your own car.

If your TPO-insured car is damaged by an unknown hit-and-run vehicle, your own insurer will not ordinarily pay to repair it. If the responsible vehicle is later identified, you can consider a third-party recovery claim against its owner, driver or insurer, subject to proof of liability.

Third-Party, Fire and Theft insurance

Third-Party, Fire and Theft adds specified fire and theft protection to third-party liability cover. It does not generally turn collision damage into an insured loss.

Therefore, if an unknown vehicle dents your door or damages your bumper and leaves, this policy will not normally pay for those repairs unless the damage falls under a separate insured provision in the particular wording.

Personal Accident or medical insurance

If the driver or passengers are injured, payment for bodily injury does not necessarily come from the vehicle’s own-damage section. A Personal Accident benefit, private medical insurance, SHA benefit or another applicable policy may respond, depending on its terms.

Report injuries promptly and retain medical records, receipts and police documents. If the responsible vehicle is identified, an injured person may also have a liability claim against the responsible party.

What should you do immediately after a hit-and-run?

1. Protect life and prevent another collision

Check for injuries first. Call emergency services where necessary. If it is safe and lawful to do so, move away from immediate danger without destroying evidence you can reasonably preserve.

Do not chase the fleeing vehicle. A damaged car is painful; a second high-speed accident is worse.

2. Record every detail you can remember

Write down or record the following before memory fades:

• Full or partial registration number
• Vehicle make, model, colour and body type
• Direction of travel
• Distinctive markings, branding or damage
• Description of the driver or occupants
• Exact time and location
• How the collision occurred

Even a partial number plate combined with CCTV or witness information may assist an investigation.

3. Photograph and film the scene

Take clear photographs or video showing:

• Damage to your vehicle
• Vehicle position before it is moved, where safe
• Debris, tyre marks or detached parts
• Road signs, traffic lights and lane markings
• Nearby shops, buildings or gates that may have CCTV
• The surrounding location

Keep the original files. Avoid editing, filtering or compressing the only copies.

4. Find witnesses and CCTV quickly

Ask witnesses for their names and reliable contact details. Look for CCTV at apartments, offices, petrol stations, toll points, shopping centres, parking facilities and nearby businesses.

Request preservation of footage immediately. Many systems overwrite recordings after a short period. The police or insurer may need to make the formal footage request, but identifying the camera and time window early can save the evidence.

5. Report the accident to the police

Report the incident promptly at the nearest appropriate police station and obtain the required police documentation or reference. Give a truthful account and clearly state that the other vehicle left the scene.

Kenya’s Traffic Act contains duties connected with stopping and reporting after accidents. A police abstract records reported particulars; it does not by itself decide civil liability or guarantee that an insurance claim will be paid.

6. Notify your insurer or intermediary immediately

Call your insurer or Imana Insurance Agency Kenya Ltd as soon as reasonably possible, using the notification period in your policy. Early notice allows the claims team to advise on towing, documents, inspection, assessment and approved repair procedures.

Do not wait for police investigations to be completed before giving initial notice to the insurer.

7. Do not repair the vehicle before authorisation

Unless emergency action is needed to prevent further damage or protect safety, do not begin repairs before the insurer has inspected the vehicle or given written authority.

Unauthorised repairs can remove evidence, create disputes about the cause or cost of damage and breach the claims procedure.

Documents commonly required for a hit-and-run claim

Requirements vary between insurers, but a Comprehensive motor claim may require:

• Completed and signed motor claim form
• Police abstract or other requested police record
• Copy of the insured’s National ID or passport
• Copy of the driver’s valid driving licence
• Copy of the vehicle logbook or proof of insurable interest
• Insurance certificate or policy details
• Photographs and videos of the scene and damage
• Witness details or statements, where available
• CCTV footage, if obtained
• Towing receipts, where the expense is insured and authorised
• Repair estimate, if requested
• Any additional police investigation document requested by the insurer

Submit clear and consistent documents. Explain any missing item rather than altering evidence or inventing details.

Will you pay an excess?

Possibly. An excess is the first portion of an admissible claim that the policyholder must bear. The amount or percentage appears in the policy schedule or wording.

A policy may have different excesses for accidental damage, young or inexperienced drivers, theft, total loss or other circumstances. Some motorists purchase Excess Protector, but that extension has its own limits and conditions. Do not assume that it removes every excess on every claim.

Ask these questions before authorising repairs:

• Which excess applies to this incident?
• Is it a fixed amount or percentage?
• Does my Excess Protector apply?
• Are towing and storage charges covered?
• Is depreciation or betterment being applied to any parts?
• Will the insurer repair the car or offer a cash settlement?

What if the hit-and-run driver is later found?

Give the new information to the police and your insurer immediately. Do not negotiate privately or sign a settlement without first consulting the insurer if an insurance claim has been opened.

If your Comprehensive insurer pays the claim, it may exercise subrogation rights and pursue recovery from the responsible party. Subrogation means the insurer can seek recovery in your name or in its own right after indemnifying the insured loss, as allowed by the policy and law.

If you only have Third-Party Only or Third-Party, Fire and Theft cover, identifying the other party may create a route for a third-party claim. You will still need evidence of the accident, ownership, damage, responsibility and the amount claimed.

What if your parked car is damaged and there are no witnesses?

Notify the police, parking management and insurer immediately. Photograph the location and vehicle before leaving where practical. Ask the property manager to preserve entry records and CCTV covering the relevant period.

The insurer may examine whether the damage is consistent with the reported event. A parked-car claim can still be considered under Comprehensive insurance, but the insured must cooperate with the investigation and provide the best available evidence.

Do not describe unexplained old damage as a fresh hit-and-run. Misrepresentation can lead to claim rejection, policy cancellation and possible legal consequences.

Can a hit-and-run claim be rejected?

Yes. Common problems include:

• The policy did not include accidental damage to the insured vehicle
• The loss occurred before inception or after expiry
• Late notification prejudiced investigation
• The driver was not authorised or properly licensed
• The vehicle was used for an undisclosed purpose, such as commercial or PSV use
• The driver breached an intoxication or other policy exclusion
• The damage was pre-existing, mechanical or inconsistent with the reported event
• Repairs began before inspection or approval
• Information or documents were false, altered or materially incomplete
• The insured failed to cooperate with the police or insurer

A rejected claim should be explained with reference to the policy. If you disagree, request the reasons in writing and use the insurer’s complaints process. You may also seek guidance from your intermediary and, where appropriate, the Insurance Regulatory Authority or legal counsel.

How long does a hit-and-run claim take?

There is no honest one-size-fits-all timeline. A straightforward repair claim with complete documents can move faster than a case involving serious injuries, disputed circumstances, missing evidence, suspected fraud, total loss or an ongoing police investigation.

You can reduce avoidable delays by reporting promptly, submitting a complete file, making the vehicle available for assessment and responding quickly to reasonable requests.

Frequently asked questions

Does Comprehensive insurance cover a hit-and-run in Kenya?

It may cover accidental damage to the insured vehicle even when the offending driver is unknown, subject to the policy terms, exclusions, evidence, assessment and excess.

Does Third-Party Only insurance repair my car after a hit-and-run?

No. TPO does not ordinarily cover accidental damage to your own vehicle. If the responsible driver is identified, you may pursue a third-party recovery claim.

Do I need a police abstract for a hit-and-run insurance claim?

Insurers commonly require police documentation for motor accident claims. Report the incident promptly and ask your insurer which police records are required for the specific claim.

Can I claim if my car was hit while parked?

Yes, a Comprehensive policy may respond to insured accidental damage while parked. Prompt reporting, photographs, CCTV and witness evidence can strengthen the claim.

Should I chase a driver who hits my car and escapes?

No. Prioritise safety. Record identifying details, preserve evidence, contact the police and notify your insurer.

Can I repair the car immediately?

Do not start non-emergency repairs until the insurer has inspected the vehicle or authorised the work. Take reasonable steps to prevent further loss and follow the insurer’s instructions.

Will Excess Protector remove my hit-and-run excess?

It depends on the wording of the extension and the excess being applied. Confirm the position with the insurer before repairs begin.

What if a hit-and-run causes injuries but I only have TPO cover?

Seek treatment and report the accident immediately. Possible support may come from applicable medical, Personal Accident or public healthcare benefits. If the responsible party is identified, a liability claim may also be possible.

Protect your vehicle before the accident happens

Hit-and-run accidents expose the biggest difference between being legally insured and having your own vehicle protected. Third-Party Only may keep a vehicle compliant with minimum compulsory-insurance requirements, but it does not ordinarily pay for your car’s collision damage.

Before renewal, compare the premium alongside the vehicle value, excesses, Excess Protector, Political Violence and Terrorism extension, towing, road rescue, authorised drivers, geographical limits and claims support.

Use the Imana Insurance quotation comparison landing page to request and compare motor insurance quotations. Learn more from the Imana Insurance Agency authority website, review motor insurance options, or explore Travel & Insurance through MyKava.

For claim support and related guidance, visit:

• Insurance Claims Knowledge Centre Kenya
• How to File a Motor Insurance Claim in Kenya
• What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident in Kenya
• Contact Imana Insurance Agency
• Submit a claims-support request

Call or WhatsApp: +254 796 209 402

Office: 4th Floor, Krishna Centre, Woodvale Grove, Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya

Author

Raymond Momanyi
Founder & CEO, Imana Insurance Agency Kenya Ltd

Reviewed and updated: 11 September 2026.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information and is not a guarantee of claim payment or legal advice. Motor policies, excesses, exclusions and claims requirements vary. The insurer determines each claim using the policy wording, evidence and applicable law.