When you leave your car parked in a public space, you’re taking a risk. Most of the time, you return to your car unharmed, and it is in the exact condition you left it in. However, accidents happen, and one day, you might come back to your car and find an unexplained scratch or scrape.
If someone hit or damaged your car, hopefully, they did the right thing and left a note. If not, this is considered a hit-and-run. Either way, you don’t want to come back to your car to see unexpected damages.
In this blog, we will discuss what to do if someone hits your parked car. Being involved in an accident when your car wasn’t moving can be challenging, especially if you didn’t see it happen. Let’s review the scenarios and steps you should take.
If someone hit your parked car and left a note
If someone hit your parked car, you should see if they left a note. Most notes are placed in a visible location, such as under the windshield wiper. They usually contain the driver’s full name, phone number and licence plate number.
The next step is notifying the authorities. Visit your nearest accident reporting center and provide as many details and information as possible. Bring notes, photos of the damage, and witness statements with you. Once authorities have the information they need, a case will be opened, and they will contact the other driver.
Once the authorities are aware of the situation, you can contact your insurance provider. Give your insurance company the exact same details and information you gave the authorities. To file a claim, your insurance provider will need to contact the other driver’s insurance company. From there, all the details related to your claim can be settled.
If someone hit your car without leaving a note
If someone hit your car in a parking lot or on the street, you would hope they leave a note. However, this isn’t always the case. Hit-and-run accidents are becoming more common in Canada. If this happens to you, follow the steps below. The process is similar to reporting a traditional car accident:
Gather as much information and details as you possibly can
When this happens, you need to gather as much information as possible. Document all the details surrounding the accident, including:
- Where the accident occurred
- When it happened (approximately)
- The date the accident happened
- The weather conditions at the time of the accident
- If anyone could’ve been witness to the accident
Check to see if there are any video cameras. If it was a parking lot accident, places like shopping malls and grocery stores can help. Ask the store for the footage if a hit-and-run accident occurs.
Taking pictures is a great way to record details of an accident. You can take photos with your cell phone. You should photograph the following:
- Damage to your vehicle (e.g. a scratch on your car door or dent on your bumper)
- Any debris left behind (e.g. vehicle parts, chipped paint, etc.)
- Any identifiers of the location (e.g. parking lot markers, street signs, etc.)
- Any damage in the surrounding area, such as other cars damaged nearby, tire marks, etc.
You can find more tips about what information to collect on your car accident checklist.
Find witnesses
Look around for witnesses who might have seen the other driver before they left. If they saw what happened, you should get as many details as possible. This is called a witness statement and can be used later by both the police and your insurance company. It will help back up any footage captured on a security camera.
It’s important to get their contact information as well. This adds an extra bit of credibility to your statement. The police and your insurance coverage might need to reach out to them as part of the investigation.
Inform the police immediately
If your car is safe to drive and you don’t require a tow truck, go to the nearest accident reporting centre to file a report. If you are car damaged to the point where you are unable to operate it safely, stay where you are. Call a tow truck and the police to meet you at the site of the accident.
Provide the authorities with all the details and photos you have put together. From there, they can assess the scene for any evidence and attempt to gather witness statements. The police officer who responded to your call will create an official accident report. Ask for a copy of the accident report for your own personal records and insurance claim purposes. Get the name and badge number of the police officer to use for reference later.
Contact your insurance provider
You need to reach out to your insurance company after any accident, especially if it was a hit-and-run. Let your insurance company know it was a hit and run accident and an official police report has been filed right away. Provide the same details and information that you gave to the authorities. The insurance company creates its own report, assesses the situation, and starts its own internal investigation. Your insurance broker will keep you posted.
Car insurance coverage for someone hitting your parked car
If someone hits your parked car and leaves, it’s considered a hit-and-run. If no information is left behind, there is no one to place fault on. In other words, you can’t make a claim using your liability car insurance coverage. Although, if you are in your parked car at the time of the accident, accident benefits coverage can come into effect if you are injured.
Despite this, your insurance provider can still compensate you for the damages. A hit-and-run accident can be covered with uninsured automobile coverage. This proper coverage is mandatory and helps you pay for any repairs to your vehicle.
Collision coverage can also help you. Although this type of car insurance coverage is optional, it can assist you if your vehicle is hit by another vehicle or object. It comes into effect regardless of who was at fault for the accident. Comprehensive coverage doesn’t make a difference since you were technically in a collision with another car, even if you were stationary.
If you are the one who hits the parked car, it’s a completely different scenario. That’s because, in most cases, you are considered at fault. Accident forgiveness coverage will prevent your rates from going up if it’s your first accident.
It’s important to note that if someone hits your car while it’s parked illegally, you will be found at fault for the accident. This can end up on your driving record and increase your car insurance premiums. All types of at-fault accidents can affect car insurance rates.
Common types of parking lot accidents
Parking lot accidents are some of the common reasons parked cars get hit. A parking lot collision isn’t something to overlook, so we have compiled a list of ways someone may hit a parked car:
A moving car hits a parked car
This can happen when a vehicle is backing out of a parking space or driving to a spot. In most cases, the vehicle that hits the parked car is at fault.
A vehicle backs into a parked car
Cars have to yield to traffic when backing out of a spot. If a vehicle backs into a parked car, they are considered at fault for the accident.
Two cars back into each other
In small parking lots, it’s easy for two vehicles to back into each other when leaving their respective parking spots—this is a shared fault.
A car hits a stationary object
When a car hits a median, curb, shopping car, traffic sign or light post, it is considered an at fault accident.
Two vehicles hit each other while trying to get a parking spot
Fighting over a parking spot isn’t worth it. If two cars collide while fighting over a parking spot, they will share fault.
A car rear ends another vehicle at a stop sign
When a car hits another from behind at a stop sign or in another area of the parking lot, they are the ones to blame.
A parking lot is considered private property. As a result, these scenarios are handled on a case-by-case basis, and sometimes, the parties involved won’t receive proper compensation if the other driver can’t be identified. That’s why it’s important to gather evidence of who’s at fault if your car was hit.
Avoiding future parking lot accidents
Whether you’re parking in a parking lot or on the street, you have to be cautious. Here are some ways to keep your legally parked car safe from being hit and how to be more aware of parking lots in general. Combining these suggestions with our safe driving tips will help you become a more responsible driver no matter where you are:
Pay attention
When you’re driving down the road, you should constantly look around at your surroundings. Signal on time to give cars plenty of notice that you intend to park.
Be careful backing out
You shouldn’t rely on your backup camera. Always look behind to ensure other cars aren’t passing by or backing into your car.
Check those blind spots
Always look over your shoulder to see your blind spots. You should be scanning both ways as you leave a parking space.
Focus
Move your head around. Whether you’re driving through the parking lot or entering or exiting a parking spot, do so with caution. Keep your cell phone out of reach and pay attention to the road.
Drive slowly
Parking lots and streets aren’t racetracks. Drive the speed limit and take your time when parking. You should give yourself plenty of room when parking.
Obey traffic signs
Whether you’re on the road or not, traffic signs aren’t optional in parking lots either.
Park away from other cars
If you park away from other cars, it reduces the chances of someone hitting your car.
You can’t predict what other drivers will do, but you can still be responsible. If you’re cautious, you’ll reduce the chances of getting into a parking lot accident. Additionally, you can use these measures to prevent others from hitting your parked car no matter where you are.
How can a broker help if someone hits my parked car?
If you have an insurance broker, you have someone to advocate for you after any type of car accident occurs. If you return to your car and find it damaged, call your broker to get advice on what to do next. Your insurance broker will walk you through what to do if someone hits your legally parked vehicle.
Talk to a BrokerLink insurance expert about car collision coverage
BrokerLink has experts on every type of insurance. Ensure your car is protected from parking lot accidents. Call, stop by one of our branches, or get an auto quote online.
You can keep your parked car safe from accidents. If someone hits your car, you need to notify your insurance provider — this is true whether the person leaves a note or not. Consult with BrokerLink to get the car insurance coverage you need today.
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Parking lot accident FAQs
Do I have to prove anything if my car got hit while parked?
If someone hits your parked car, you should document everything by taking photos and calling the police. You need a police report to file a claim with your insurance company.
My parked car got hit a few days ago while I was on vacation. Should I still call the police?
Yes, you should call the police as soon as you are aware of the incident.
My parked car got hit by a young person on ayoung on a bicycle and caused some damage. Will that be covered?
It depends on your level of coverage. Some policies might cover this damage, and others won’t. Contact your insurance broker to determine the exact type of coverage you have.
If you have any questions, contact one of our local branches.
