What to do when someone hits your parked car

Coming back to find your parked car damaged is not only frustrating, it can also be costly. Without the other driver’s information, you could be stuck covering repairs yourself. These accidents are especially challenging because you’re not there when they happen, making it harder to prove fault or track down who’s responsible.

If your parked car is hit, it’s important to take quick action: Document the damage, check for a note or security footage, file a police report, and contact your insurance company. Depending on the situation, you may need to rely on your coverage to pay for repairs, especially if the at-fault driver can’t be identified.

This guide explains each step to take after someone hits your parked car, how insurance works in these cases, and what to expect during the claims process.

What to do if someone hits your parked car and leaves

An accident caused by a driver who remains on the scene is fairly straightforward: You ask them for their insurance information (assuming they have coverage), exchange contact information, and file a claim with their insurer. If the other driver’s car insurance isn’t enough to cover your repairs, you can notify your insurer, which may cover the rest.

However, if the at-fault driver leaves the scene, there are important steps you can take before filing a claim with your own insurance to help protect yourself and improve your chances of a successful outcome.

Don’t leave the scene of the accident

It’s important not to drive away when you notice the damage. Remaining at the scene allows you to document everything and collect critical information to help with your insurance claim. You’ll want to assess the damage, take photos, and look for clues about who may have hit your car.

Document the damage

Documenting the scene thoroughly is a crucial step in filing your claim. Use your phone to take multiple photos and videos of the damage from different angles, and be sure to capture close-ups, wide shots, and any surrounding debris, skid marks, or nearby property damage. 

Your phone will automatically log the date and time, and if location services are enabled, it may also tag the exact location, both of which can support your claim. This visual evidence helps establish the condition of your car immediately after the incident and can serve as critical proof for your insurance company.

Check for a note and talk to witnesses

Before you move your car, check carefully for a note. Sometimes, the at-fault driver will leave their contact or insurance information under your windshield wiper.

Next, look around for potential witnesses. Someone nearby may have seen the accident or even written down the other car’s license plate. Don’t hesitate to step into local businesses and ask if anyone noticed what happened. It’s also worth asking if any security cameras might have captured the collision, though in most cases, law enforcement will need to request that footage on your behalf. Eyewitness accounts and video evidence can make a big difference in identifying the driver and supporting your claim.

Even if the other driver left the scene, your insurance company may still be able to track them down and pursue them to recover the costs.

File a police report

Filing a police report is an important step after a hit-and-run. The report provides official documentation of the incident, which can support your insurance claim and help move the process along. In some cases, law enforcement may be able to identify the at-fault driver based on evidence from the scene or nearby security footage, making it possible to file a claim with their insurance instead of your own.

Notify your insurance company

If the other driver can’t be identified, you’ll likely need to file a claim through your insurance to cover the repairs, unless you plan to pay out of pocket. 

The photos, notes, and police report you collected at the scene will play a key role in supporting your claim and helping your insurer assess the damage. Be sure to report the incident as soon as possible to avoid delays.

Does car insurance cover a hit-and-run on a parked car?

Car insurance can cover a hit-and-run on your parked car, but only if you have specific types of coverage. 

“If you can prove who hit your car, their liability insurance should be able to cover your damages,” says Kris Barber, founder and principal attorney for the Texas-based Barber Law Firm, which frequently works on cases related to insurance disputes. “However, if it’s a hit-and-run or the other driver is uninsured, you’ll either need to file for collision coverage or uninsured motorist property damage coverage to protect yourself.”

That’s where your coverage comes in. Collision and uninsured motorist property damage coverage are the two main types of insurance that can help cover repair costs in a hit-and-run, especially if the other driver can’t be identified or doesn’t have insurance. Each works differently, so it’s important to understand how they apply before you file a claim.

Collision insurance

Collision coverage is typically offered alongside comprehensive insurance as an optional addition to your car insurance policy. Collision pays for the repairs or replacement of your vehicle when it’s involved in an accident with a car or an inanimate object, regardless of fault. Collision may pay out even if you know the identity of the at-fault driver.

“Collision coverage isn’t just for accidents you cause,” Barber says. “It’s your safety net for hit-and-runs and situations where fault can’t be proven.”

Uninsured motorist property damage insurance

Uninsured motorist coverage, which is composed of bodily injury insurance and property damage insurance, will pay for repairs and replacement of your car — as well as the medical bills of anyone in your car — if the driver who hit you doesn’t have car insurance. 

This also includes hit-and-runs in some states, although if your state doesn’t allow you to use your uninsured motorist coverage, you may need to use your collision coverage instead.

When to file a claim after someone hits your parked car

If you discover that someone has hit your parked car, don’t wait too long to notify your insurance company. Most insurers recommend reporting the incident within 24 to 72 hours, and some states require that you file a police report within a specific window, often within 24 or 48 hours, especially if you plan to use uninsured motorist coverage. Filing quickly helps keep your options open and avoids complications with coverage eligibility.

That said, before jumping into a claim, take a moment to weigh your options. Ask yourself:

• Is the damage more than my deductible? If your deductible is $1,000 and the repair estimate is $1,200, filing a claim might not be worth it. You’d only be reimbursed $200, and it could result in higher premiums down the line.
• Will this claim affect my insurance rates? If the other driver is identified and you file a claim through their insurance, your rates likely won’t go up. But if you’re using your policy (collision or uninsured motorist property damage), your insurer might still consider the claim a risk factor, even if you weren’t at fault.
• Can I afford to pay out of pocket instead? For minor damage, like a small dent or scratch, it might be cheaper in the long run to cover the repair yourself rather than risk a rate hike over the next few years.

Will my insurance rates go up if someone hits my parked car?

Even if you didn’t cause the accident or the damage, your insurance rates could increase if you file a claim with your car insurance company.

“While filing a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance typically won’t raise your rates, filing with your own insurance company can trigger an increase, depending on your state’s laws and your insurer’s policies,” Barber says. “Some companies will raise rates any time a claim is filed, regardless of fault.”

Whether your premiums increase depends on two main factors.

• If you know who hit your car: When you file a claim through the other driver’s liability insurance, your premium typically won’t be affected. But it’s not guaranteed — some insurers may still consider your overall claims history, and state laws vary in how not-at-fault accidents can impact your rates.
• If you file a claim through your insurance: If the at-fault driver can’t be identified, you’ll likely need to rely on your collision or uninsured motorist coverage to pay for repairs. In this case, your insurer may view the claim as a risk indicator and raise your rates, even if you weren’t responsible. That’s why it’s worth weighing the cost of the damage against your deductible and potential premium increase before deciding to file.

How to report a hit-and-run on a parked car

If your parked car has been hit and the other driver left the scene, it’s important to report the incident promptly. This helps create an official record, which can support your insurance claim and increase your chances of recovering damages.

Here’s how to report a hit-and-run on a parked car:

• Contact local law enforcement. If no one is injured and the situation isn’t urgent, use the police department’s non-emergency number. A responding officer may come to the scene or take your report over the phone.
• Share as much detail as possible. Provide the approximate time and location of the accident, even if you weren’t there when it happened. Include photos of the damage, information about any witnesses, and potential evidence like surveillance footage.
• Report the incident quickly. Some states require that hit-and-runs be reported to police within 24 to 48 hours to qualify for insurance coverage. Check your state’s requirements to avoid any issues during the claims process.
  

Taking these steps early can help protect your rights and strengthen your claim, especially if the at-fault driver is never identified.