What to do when someone hits your parked car

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If someone hits your parked car, the good news is that the damage is usually covered — either by the other driver’s liability insurance or, if it’s a hit-and-run, by your own collision or uninsured motorist property damage coverage, depending on what you carry.

Once you spot the damage, there’s a few steps you should take right away. Snap photos and videos, look around for a note or nearby security cameras, file a police report, and then let your insurance company know what happened. If the driver can’t be identified, your own coverage may need to step in to help pay for repairs.

What should you do after a hit-and-run damages your parked car?

If someone hits your parked car and takes off, it can feel overwhelming — but what you do next really matters. Acting quickly and methodically helps protect your claim and may even improve the chances of finding the driver. Here’s how to handle it step by step.

• Stay put and take a breath. Before driving away, take a few minutes to assess the damage. Look closely at your vehicle and the surrounding area for debris, paint transfer or parts that may have fallen off the other car.
• Document everything. Take clear photos and videos from multiple angles. Capture close-ups of the damage, wider shots showing where the car was parked and any nearby skid marks, broken glass or property damage.
• Check for a note and ask around. Look at your windshield for contact information. If you’re near businesses or pedestrians, ask if anyone saw what happened. Even small details can help.
• Look for security cameras. Homes, apartment buildings and storefronts often have cameras that may have recorded the incident. Police can request footage if needed.
• File a police report. Even if the damage seems minor, an official report creates documentation for your insurance company and may help authorities track down the at-fault driver.
• Notify your insurance company. Share your photos, any witness information and the police report. Your insurer will review your coverage and walk you through the next steps.

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

Car insurance can cover a hit-and-run involving your parked car — but it depends on the coverage you carry. If the driver is identified, their liability insurance should pay for the damage. If they take off or don’t have insurance, your own policy may need to step in. In most cases, that means collision coverage or uninsured motorist property damage 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.”

Each type of coverage kicks in under different circumstances, so knowing how they work can save you time — and possibly money — before you file a claim.

Here’s a simple breakdown of how each coverage type works:

How collision coverage helps after a hit-and-run

Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your car after an accident, whether you caused it or not. It typically comes as an optional add-on alongside comprehensive coverage. If someone hits your parked car and drives off, collision is often the most straightforward way to get your vehicle fixed — even if the other driver is never identified.

“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.”

Keep in mind that collision coverage usually comes with a deductible, which you’ll pay before insurance covers the remaining repair costs.

How uninsured motorist property damage coverage works

Uninsured motorist property damage coverage (often shortened to UMPD) pays for repairs to your car if the driver who hit you doesn’t have insurance. In many states, this coverage also applies to hit-and-run accidents — but rules vary.

Uninsured motorist coverage is generally split into two parts: bodily injury, which covers medical expenses, and property damage, which covers vehicle repairs. If your state allows UMPD to apply to hit-and-runs, it may help cover your damage. If not, you’ll likely need to rely on collision coverage instead.

Because state laws differ, it’s worth checking how your policy handles hit-and-run claims before you need to use it.

Whose insurance pays when someone hits your parked car?

When someone hits your parked car, the first question isn’t just what coverage applies — it’s whose insurance is responsible. In most cases, the at-fault driver’s insurance should pay. But if they can’t be identified or don’t have coverage, the responsibility may shift to your own policy.

Here’s how it typically works:

In short, if the other driver is known and insured, their policy should handle the claim. If not, your own coverage becomes the fallback. That’s why knowing what you carry — and how your state handles uninsured drivers — really matters before something like this happens.

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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.

Zack Sigel

 

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Zack Sigel is a writer and editor based in New York City. He has been managing editor at Policygenius and M1 Finance, where he led teams specialized in writing about business and finance, and he has also written about music and culture for Hyperallergic, VH1, Complex, and the Los Angeles Review of Books. Zack has a bachelor's degree from New York University, Tisch School of the Arts.