Paul Sanchez
In the UK, if your car has been hit and you weren't at fault, you might assume that your insurance won't be affected. However, even if the accident wasn't your fault, it could still impact your premium when it's time for renewal. This is because insurers may factor the accident into their overall risk assessment. If your car has been hit, you should contact your insurer as soon as possible, as failing to do so could invalidate your insurance contract. If your car was parked and hit by another driver, you can claim for car damage and any other losses directly from the at-fault driver's insurance company. If you've been hit by an uninsured driver, you may be able to claim compensation through the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| If someone hits your parked car and drives off | This could be classed as an "at-fault" accident, where you're responsible for the cost of repairs. Your insurance premium is likely to rise. |
| If someone else is at fault | The claim is recorded as "no-fault" in your claims history. This could still impact your premium but usually by a smaller amount than an at-fault claim. |
| If you claim off your own insurance | Your insurance premium will go up and your no-claims discount will go back to zero. |
| If you are hit by an uninsured driver | Your car insurance price may go up, depending on the type of coverage you have. |
| If you have third-party insurance | You won't be able to claim on your insurance, but you may be able to claim compensation through the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB). |
| If you file numerous hit-and-run claims | Your insurance company may raise your rates as they may perceive that you live or drive in a dangerous area. |
| If you don't inform your insurance provider about an accident | It could be viewed as a "non-disclosure" and invalidate your insurance contract. |
| If you lose your no-claims bonus | You will need to rebuild it over the years, incurring higher premiums over time. |
| If you switch insurance providers within five years of the accident | You must tell your new insurer about the accident. |
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What You'll Learn
If someone hits your parked car
Returning to your parked car to find that it has been hit by another motorist can be incredibly frustrating, especially if they haven't left any contact information. If someone hits your parked car, there are several steps you should take:
Check for Damage and Gather Evidence
The first step is to inspect your car for any damage, including dents, scratches, and broken lights. Take clear and detailed photographs of the damage, as well as the surrounding area, including street signs, buildings, or security cameras. These photos will be useful when making an insurance claim. Make notes about the location, time of day, weather conditions, and any other relevant details.
Look for Witnesses or CCTV Footage
If the other driver has left the scene without leaving their details, try to find witnesses or refer to nearby CCTV footage. Ask around to see if anyone saw the incident or captured it on their smartphone or dashcam. Take statements from witnesses and get their contact information.
Contact the Police
In some cases, it may be necessary to involve the police. If the other driver is present and cooperative, and there are no injuries or roadblocks, you may not need to notify the police. However, if the other driver has left the scene or if there are injuries or property damage, you should report the incident to the police within 24 hours. The police can help track down the motorist and create an official record of the incident.
Notify Your Insurer
Even if you decide not to make a claim, it is important to inform your insurance company about the incident. Failure to report it could invalidate your cover. Provide them with all the details of the accident, including any police reports and photographs you have taken. If you haven't been able to track down the other driver, your insurer may guide you through filing a non-fault claim to get the damage repaired.
Consider the Impact on Insurance Premiums
Making an insurance claim, even if you are not at fault, may result in an increase in your insurance premiums. This is because insurers may view you as a higher-risk driver, regardless of who was responsible for the accident. Therefore, you may want to consider the cost of repairs and weigh it against the potential increase in premiums before deciding to make a claim.
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Claiming off your own insurance
If your car has been hit and you want to make a claim, you must contact your insurance company, even if you are not planning to claim. You should also report the accident to the police within 24 hours if you did not give your details at the scene. If the police attend the scene, get a copy of the report and send it to your insurance company.
Your insurance company will advise you on what to do next, depending on the circumstances of the accident. If your car was hit by an uninsured driver, or if it was parked at the time, or if the accident was your fault, different processes will apply.
If you have comprehensive insurance, your provider might cover your claim. If you only have third-party insurance, your provider might not cover your claim. In this case, if the other driver was uninsured or a runaway driver, you should contact the Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB). The MIB is a not-for-profit organisation that works with the UK government to compensate the victims of uninsured or untraced road users.
If you make a claim, your insurer may want to send someone to inspect your vehicle before you get it repaired. They may ask you to use an approved repairer or provide them with estimates before getting repairs done. If your insurer decides that it is not economical to repair your vehicle, they should offer you the vehicle's market value. They will then normally take the vehicle from you, but you may be able to negotiate to keep it.
If your insurance policy covers you for a guaranteed replacement car, you’ll be offered another vehicle to use while your car is being fixed at an approved garage. Once the claim is settled, your insurer will keep the damaged car. If you want to keep it instead, you can negotiate with the insurer.
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Claiming off the other driver's insurance
If you've been in a collision, the first thing you need to do is ensure everyone is safe and contact the police if necessary. You should also get the other driver's details, including their name, phone number, insurance company name, and policy number. It is also a good idea to take photos of the scene, which may be used as evidence if you need to make a claim.
If you have comprehensive insurance, you should be able to claim from your own insurer. However, if the other driver was at fault, you may be able to claim from the other driver's insurer for any injuries or losses not covered by your own policy. These are called uninsured losses and can cover alternative transport while your own vehicle is being repaired, loss of earnings, personal injuries, and the excess on your policy.
If the other driver's insurance company accepts responsibility for your damages, you should share any estimates from a repair facility of your choice or, if your vehicle is not repairable, details of the research you have done to understand your vehicle's value. If the other driver's insurance company has not accepted responsibility, they may still offer to pay a portion of your damages, depending on their assessment of fault.
If the other driver is uninsured, you may still be able to claim compensation through the Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB). You will need to provide as much information as possible to support your claim, including the make, model, and registration number of the other car involved.
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Being hit by an uninsured driver
If you are hit by an uninsured driver, there are a number of steps you can take to protect yourself and ensure you are not left out of pocket. Firstly, it is important to collect as much information as possible at the scene of the accident, including the time and date of the incident, the other car's make, model, and registration number, as well as any other identifying details such as colour or visible modifications. Taking photos or videos of the scene and documenting any debris or unusual marks on the road can also help with your claim. If there are any witnesses, be sure to take their names and contact details so that you can get their account of the accident.
By law, you have "reasonable grounds" to ask for the other driver's name, address, and contact details if your car has been damaged. If the other driver refuses to provide this information, you must inform the police. All accidents involving an uninsured driver should be reported to the police, and your insurance provider should also be informed, even if you do not intend to make a claim. You can check if a car is insured by calling your insurance provider or using the Motor Insurance Database's (MID) online service.
If you have comprehensive car insurance, you may be covered for incidents involving uninsured drivers. For example, if your policy includes an uninsured driver promise, your No Claims Bonus (NCB) may be protected, and you may be able to avoid an increase in your insurance premium when it's time for renewal. However, if your claim remains unsettled, you may pay a higher premium at renewal, although some insurance providers will refund the difference once your claim is settled.
If you only have third-party insurance, you may not be able to claim on your insurance. However, you may be able to claim compensation through the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB), a non-profit organisation that helps those affected by uninsured driving. It is important to note that your premium may still go up at renewal, even if you were not at fault, as insurers may factor the accident into their overall risk assessment.
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No-fault states and at-fault states
In the United States, there are three types of insurance laws related to fault in auto accidents: At-Fault-Based Systems and No-Fault Systems, as well as Choice No-Fault Systems, a hybrid of the two.
At-Fault-Based Systems
At-fault states focus on who caused the accident, holding negligent drivers accountable for their actions on the road. If you’re found to be at fault for a crash, you’re responsible for covering the damages — e.g., vehicle repairs, medical expenses, and other costs. This means the other party can file a claim with your insurance company or even sue you for compensation. There are 38 at-fault states in the United States, plus the District of Columbia.
No-Fault Systems
No-fault states take a different approach to handling car accidents. In these states, your own insurance policy is the first line of defence, regardless of who caused the accident. This system is designed to simplify the claims process and reduce the need for legal action. No-fault insurance laws aim to reduce the time and costs associated with resolving car accidents. There are 12 no-fault states in the United States, although 3 of those are choice no-fault (i.e., Kentucky, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania).
Choice No-Fault Systems
Some states have implemented a hybrid system known as choice no-fault. In these states, drivers can choose to operate their policy under the no-fault system or the traditional at-fault-based system. There are 3 choice no-fault states in the United States. If no option is selected, the default is at-fault in Pennsylvania and no-fault in Kentucky and New Jersey.
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Frequently asked questions
If your car has been hit while parked, your first contact after the accident should be an accident management company or your insurer. You should also try to gather as much evidence as possible, including CCTV footage, witness statements, and the other driver's contact and insurance details.
It depends on the type of insurance you have. If you have comprehensive car insurance, you might be covered for incidents involving uninsured drivers. However, if you have third-party insurance, you won't be able to claim on your insurance, and your premium might still go up even if you weren't at fault.
A no-fault accident is when another driver is found to be responsible for the accident. For example, if someone rear-ends you because they were speeding, their insurer should cover the costs of the claim.
If you are hit by an uninsured driver, you may be able to claim compensation through the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB), a non-profit organisation that assists those affected by uninsured driving.
