If the other driver left the scene it feels hopeless, it often is not. Identification happens far more frequently than people expect, and there are still routes forward if it does not.
In the first hour
Note everything you remember before it fades: vehicle colour, make, partial registration, direction of travel, time. Photograph your damage and the surrounding area.
↑ Back to contentsReport it
Failing to stop and failing to report are offences in the UK. Report the incident to the police and keep the reference number, you will need it for any claim, and it supports later evidence requests.
↑ Back to contentsChase the footage quickly
Most CCTV and doorbell systems overwrite within days. Knock on nearby doors, ask local businesses, and make requests in writing early. A polite, specific request with a date and time window works best.
- Residential doorbell cameras facing the road.
- Shop, pub and garage forecourt cameras.
- Council or car park CCTV, request through the operator.
- Other drivers' dashcams if anyone stopped.
If the driver is never identified
There are still routes available, including your own policy cover and, in some cases, the Motor Insurers' Bureau. We can explain the practical repair side and, where regulated advice is needed, authorised partners may assist.
↑ Back to contentsFrequently asked questions
The insurance questions drivers ask us most
Straight answers on premiums, excess, write-offs and replacement vehicles, written by our Bristol repair team.
- Non-fault accident: what it means and what to do (UK guide)A plain-English UK guide to non-fault accidents: how liability is decided, your repair and replacement vehicle options, and the mistakes that cost drivers money.
- What to do after a car accident that wasn’t your faultThe exact steps to take at the scene, in the first 24 hours and in the first week after someone else hits your car in the UK.
- Will a non-fault accident affect my insurance? (UK)How a non-fault claim can show on your record, what happens to your premium and what to check with your insurer.
- Do I have to pay my insurance excess?When an excess applies after a non-fault accident, and the practical routes that can avoid paying one up front.
Your next steps
Based on what you have just read, these are the pages most drivers go to next.
Prefer to speak to someone now?
SAR Group is a repair-led accident support and bodyshop business, and your first point of contact after a non-fault accident. We are not an FCA-authorised claims management company: every non-fault case is handled through our authorised and regulated partner network.