Parked Car Puzzles: Unraveling The Mystery Of Auto Insurance Coverage

If your parked car has been hit, your insurance company will help cover the cost of repairs, but it depends on the type of coverage you have. Damage to a parked car is typically covered under collision coverage. This coverage helps pay for the costs to repair or replace your vehicle when it is involved in an accident with another vehicle or object – even when it is parked. If you can prove who caused the damage, their insurance should cover you. If you can't prove who hit your car but have collision or uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) coverage, your insurance should cover the damages. If you don't carry either coverage and can't find the driver responsible, you'll likely have to pay out of pocket for any repairs.

If you hit a parked car, document the damage and leave a note

If you hit a parked car, you should never leave the scene of the accident. Leaving the scene of a car accident is a crime, and you could be charged with a hit-and-run. Even if there is no one around, you should document the damage to both cars and, if possible, take pictures of the license plate of the car you hit. You should also leave a note with your name, contact information, insurance company, and an explanation of the accident.

If there are witnesses, be sure to get their contact information and, if possible, a written or recorded statement of what they observed. You should also take pictures of the area where the accident occurred. If the accident happened near a storefront, ask the store owner for any security footage of the parking lot and request that they preserve the footage or provide you with a copy.

If there is significant damage to the other vehicle, many states require that you call the police. Since it can be difficult to estimate damage, it is recommended to call your local police department and ask. The police can also help facilitate the exchange of information with the owner of the car you hit.

After you have documented the accident, you should notify your insurance company so they are aware of the incident before the owner of the car you hit files a claim. If you have collision coverage, your insurance company will pay for the damage to your car after you pay your deductible.

If your car was hit in a parking lot and the other driver can't be found, your insurance will cover the damage if you have collision coverage

If your car was hit in a parking lot, you should treat it like any other accident. First, don't move your car. If you can locate the person who hit your car, exchange information with them. Then, call the local authorities to file a police report and notify your insurer. If the other driver cannot be found, call the police and they might be able to help you identify who hit your car.

If you can prove who hit your car, their insurance should cover you. If you can't prove who caused the damage and you don't have collision coverage or uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) coverage, you'll have to pay out of pocket for any needed repairs.

Collision coverage helps cover the costs to repair or replace your vehicle when it is involved in an accident with another vehicle or object – even when it is parked. If you have collision coverage, your insurance will cover the damage if you are hit in a parking lot and the other driver can't be found. However, you are typically required to pay your deductible before your insurance payment kicks in.

If you find damage to your parked car, take pictures, look for witnesses and call your insurance company

If you find that your parked car has been damaged, it is important to take action. Here are the steps you should take:

Take Pictures of the Damage

Document the damage by taking pictures from all angles with your smartphone. Capture each scratch, dent, and any debris left at the scene. These photos will be useful when filing an insurance claim and can help expedite the process.

Look for Witnesses

Check the area for any witnesses who may have seen the accident. Get their contact information and ask for their description of what happened. Witness accounts can be crucial in determining what occurred and assigning liability.

Call Your Insurance Company

Contact your insurance agent or representative and inform them of the incident. They will guide you through the process, especially when dealing with the other driver's insurance provider. Your insurance company will also handle the claim if the other driver cannot be located or if it is a hit-and-run situation.

File a Police Report

If the other driver left a note, provide their information to the police, and obtain a police report number for your insurance company. If the other driver fled the scene, report the hit-and-run to the police, as it is a crime. The police can help identify the culprit and facilitate the exchange of information.

Exchange Information

If possible, locate the person who hit your car and exchange information. Obtain their name, contact information, driver's license details, registration, and proof of insurance. If you cannot locate the other driver, leave your contact information and insurance details on their windshield if they are not present.

Remember, it is essential to treat this situation like any other accident. Stay calm and follow these steps to resolve the issue as quickly as possible and get your car back on the road.

If the other driver has left the scene without a note, call the police

If your parked car has been hit by another driver who has left the scene without leaving a note, you should call the police. This is considered a hit-and-run, which is a crime. The police can help you file a report and may be able to help identify the other driver. Be sure to note the police department jurisdiction (state versus town, for example) and the officer's name to help obtain a police report later if necessary.

After calling the police, you should document the damage. Use your smartphone to take pictures from all angles, making sure to capture each scratch, dent, and any debris left behind at the scene. If there are witnesses, ask them for their contact information. If you are parked near a business, they may have security cameras that could help identify the other driver.

Once you have gathered as much information as possible, contact your insurance agent or representative to let them know what happened. They can help guide you through the process of dealing with the other driver's insurance provider, if they are found, or assist you in filing a claim with your own insurance company. Depending on your state and your insurance coverage, you may be covered by your collision insurance or uninsured motorist property damage coverage.

It's important to note that filing a claim with your own insurance company may result in a rate increase, although this is not always the case. If the other driver is found and their insurance covers the damage, your rates should not be affected.

If the other driver is uninsured, your uninsured motorist coverage may also kick in

If your parked car has been hit by an uninsured driver, your uninsured motorist coverage may kick in, depending on the type of coverage you have and the state you live in. Uninsured motorist coverage is a type of car insurance that can pay for repairs to your vehicle if it is damaged by an uninsured driver. This is known as uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) coverage.

In some states, UMPD is mandatory and may have a state-mandated deductible that applies. It will usually pay out if someone without car insurance hits your parked car. If the at-fault driver flees the scene but is later found and they do not have insurance, your UMPD coverage will likely cover the damage to your vehicle. However, if the at-fault driver cannot be identified, your UMPD may not apply, and you would need to rely on collision coverage instead.

If you live in a state where UMPD is not required, you may still have the option to purchase it. It is worth considering, especially if your state has a high rate of uninsured drivers. Even if you have good health insurance, uninsured motorist coverage can also provide benefits such as compensation for lost wages, pain and suffering, and funeral expenses, which health insurance won't cover.

If you have UMPD coverage and are the victim of a hit-and-run, you can file a claim under this coverage (if your state allows hit-and-run claims under UMPD). If your state does not allow UMPD for hit-and-run accidents, or if you do not have UMPD coverage, you can file a claim through your collision coverage (if you have it). Please note that your collision deductible will apply in this case.

Frequently asked questions