What To Do If Someone Scratches Your Car While Parked

How To File An Insurance Claim After Someone Hits Your Car

The better news is that if someone scratches your car while parked but stuck around or left a note, you have better options. GEICO and other companies have accident hotlines to help drivers know what to do when someone hits their parked car.

If you return to a damage vehicle, you can start the claim process by calling that number.

The process will be very similar to a hit-and-run. You will collect any evidence, information from the other driver, or any other identifying information. If you know who the other driver is, there is a better chance of you not assuming responsibility.

There are some factors that drivers need to consider before calling their insurance company.

If No One Arrives Leave A Note

Keep it simple. “Nobody wants to ,” Siegel says. “Everyone’s afraid.”

But if you backed into a car or sideswiped it in the parking lot, do it anyway. Most states require that your note include this information:

• Name
• Contact number
• Explanation of accident

If you were driving someone elses vehicle at the time of hitting a parked car, you are required to leave the name and address of the cars owner as well.

Behnke recommends that your note include your insurance information if you have it handy. Don’t say too much, such as explaining how you weren’t paying attention when you hit their bumper. Anything you leave in the note can be used against you later when insurance companies are settling.

After being a responsible citizen and writing the note, tuck it securely under the windshield wiper.

According to the California Vehicle Code, the note must be in a “conspicuous location. And no matter how tempted you are to write it with a felt-tip pen and leave it to ruin in the rain, don’t do it. In New York, failing to leave contact info can result in a $250 fine and up to 15 days in jail.

Though you might try to tell yourself that the other drivers insurance will foot the repair bill if you leave the scene, think again. You dont know whether or not the vehicle has collision insurance. Even if the other owner has uninsured motorist coverage, their insurance company is unlikely to cover them unless it can verify that you are uninsured.

What To Do If You Dont Know How Your Car Got Scratched

If you return to your car and there isnt anyone waiting or they did not leave a note about your vehicle scratch, you may be wondering what to do. You may still be able to track down the culprit.

Many stores and businesses have surveillance cameras in the parking lot. One of these cameras could have caught the entire incident on video. That video footage can help track down the liable party and get your damages covered.

Ask around the parking lot and at nearby businesses or homes to see if anyone may have witnessed the incident. If you can track down witnesses, be sure to ask them to provide written statements regarding what happened, how it happened, and who did it. They should at least be able to provide a description of the person who did the damage. They may even have a description of that persons vehicle or a partial tag number.

Even if you never figure out what happened, you will want to file a claim with your auto insurer. This claim would fall under your underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage. While your insurance may argue with you and claim that you were responsible for the damages yourself and it falls under your collision coverage, you should be able to provide enough evidence to show that the damages were the direct result of someone else while your vehicle was parked in the parking lot.

Don’t Miss: How Much Do Car Salesmen Make Per Car

If You Don’t Know How Your Car Got Scratched

Not knowing how your vehicle was scratched could be a problem. You can still file the claim and discuss the situation with the claim adjuster. Claim adjusters see so much damage that they may have a good idea of what caused the damage, just by looking at the scratches.

Severe scratches are often caused by a collision. It will be up to the claim adjuster how to proceed.

While it’s ultimately a personal choice, seek the help of a licensed insurance agent who can guide you as to whether you are looking at a worthwhile claim for your given situation.

Scratches can range in severity and cost to repair. Get estimates from a body shop to determine how much repairs will cost. Keep your deductible in mind when deciding whether the scratch warrants a car insurance claim.

Sometimes you are better off repairing the damage and not filing a claim at all.

How Auto Insurance Covers A Crash Into Your Parked Car

Heres what you can do if you decide to go with insurance instead of getting cash from the other driver, in our recommended order:

File with the other drivers property damage liability coverage and, if you’re hurt, bodily injury liability .

• If youre able to cover your own repairs upfront, consider putting in whats called a third-party claim for the damage to your car.
• The downside is that itll take longer to get your money back because the other company will launch an investigation to determine fault.
• This keeps claims filings off of your record, which then prevents your insurer from raising rates because of the accident .

File with your insurance companys uninsured motorist property damage .

• This is a rarer coverage, but it allows you to recover damages and repair costs with a potentially lower deductible if the driver was found and uninsured.
• Note that your insurer will require a police report, and they may conduct an investigation, which will take time.
• Even though the accident was not your fault, your rates might still go up after because of the very act of filing a claim.

File a claim with the collision portion of your auto insurance coverage .

Note that comprehensive coverage does not cover another car striking your unattended car, which can be frustrating if you dont have collision or your comprehensive deductible is lower. Comprehensive is used more for natural disasters and theft or vandalism.

Reporting claims at the top four insurers

Don’t Miss: Change Car Interior Color Cost

Parked Car Accident And Insurance Rates

You probably want to know if your insurance rates will increase if you hit a parked car and if so, how much. There is no answer that applies in all situations and whether your rates are headed up will most likely hinge on a few factors.

Since you hit a car that was parked, there is no doubt that you are at fault in the accident so your insurer will consider this an at-fault accident. The only exceptions might be if the accident was beyond your control, as an example, a pedestrian jumped out in front of your causing you to swerve or the car was parked illegally. Even in these examples you would normally be found at fault, but perhaps not 100% so. A few other factors the insurer will consider:

• Cost of damage: The amount of damage you caused will impact your premium increase, the more money your insurer pays out the more likely it is your rates will go up

• Tickets: If you were given a ticket its more likely your rates are going up, especially if you already have other infractions on your driving record.

• Previous claims: If you already have a number of claims on your record youre nearly guaranteed to see a rate increase

• You have accident forgiveness: If you have accident forgiveness on your policy you shouldn’t see a rate increase as long as your record is clean otherwise. And a bonus is you also dont lose your good driver discount.

What Should I Do If Someone Scratched My Car And Didnt Leave A Note

If someone hits your car and drives off, your initial steps should be the same as previously mentioned. Take pictures of the damage and anything else you could use as evidence to send your insurance company or the police.

If possible, collect any witness descriptions of the vehicle that left damage to your car. If someone hits your car in a parking lot with an accessible camera such as a work parking lot you have an advantage.

Compare quotes from the top car insurance companies and save

Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

You May Like: Can Clear Coat Be Repaired

Will My Insurance Go Up If My Car Was Scratched

Whether your car insurance will go up will depend on your insurance company and your previous driving record. Some insurers will only raise your rates if you were the at-fault driver in a collision. Others will increase the cost of your insurance if you file any sort of claim, especially if you have filed many insurance claims in the past or have a poor driving record.

Scratches can range in severity and cost to repair. Get estimates from a body shop to determine how much repairs will cost. Keep your deductible, as well as the risk of your monthly premiums increasing, in mind when deciding whether the scratch warrants a car insurance claim.

Sometimes you are better off repairing the damage and not filing a claim at all.

What To Do If Your Parked Car Gets Hit

When you return to your parked car, you expect it to be in the same condition as you left it. Unfortunately, as we all know, accidents happen, including accidents involving parked cars. Sometimes, those accidents can cause serious damage to your vehicle. In addition to calling your insurance carrier to tell them that “someone hit my parked car,” there are other things you need to do.

Recommended Reading: What Keeps Squirrels Away From Cars

Scratches Covered By Comprehensive Coverage

If you have a scratch caused by a comprehensive coverage factor, you need comprehensive listed on the damaged vehicle in order for your insurance company to pay for repairing the damage.

• Your car was keyed in an act of vandalism.
• A tree branch fell on your vehicle.
• A shopping cart pushed by the wind collided with your car.

Most likely, you will have a deductible on your comprehensive coverage, and you must cover the amount of the deductible before insurance coverage kicks in and covers the costs of having your vehicle repaired.

A vandalized car insurance claim usually requires a police report.

Example: John’s truck was horribly scratched all along the driver’s side of the vehicle. The vehicle had clearly been intentionally scratched based on the irregular markings and the severity of the scratches. John files a police report. He then files a claim with his insurance carrier because he had comprehensive coverage listed on his truck. His deductible is $100. John is responsible for paying his $100 deductible, and his car insurance policy will cover the remaining cost of repairing the damage.

Someone Hit My Parked Car And Left A Note

If someone hits your parked car and leaves a note, they would ideally leave their contact information or insurance companys information.

• If they dont identify the insurer on the note, call them for the insurance companys name.
• Itll also be helpful to look around for witnesses either people living in the houses near where you were parked or people working in the shops near the curb to gather more information.

If the damages are small, you might consider getting quotes as soon as possible from several body shops to determine how much repairs would cost, and then seeing if the other driver would be willing to pay cash out of pocket.

Ask the auto mechanics if there could be any unforeseen damage . However, going this route could mean that your insurance wont cover any future problems from the same accident.

But you would avoid paying a deductible and premium increases from filing a claim .

If the repair bill is high, or larger than your deductible, then consider going the insurance route.

While the driver may still pay out of pocket, the peace of mind in having the whole car looked at and potential future problems covered under insurance may be better in the long run.

You can file with:

You May Like: How To Get Internet In The Car

What Should I Do If Someone Hits My Parked Car

If someone hits your car in a parking lot or while parked on the street, treat the scene like an accident. Look to see if a witness can offer any details and follow these steps:

• Don’t leave the scene or move your car
• Locate the person who hit your car and exchange information
• Take photos and contact the authorities to file a police report
• Contact your insurer and file a claim if necessary

Pro tip:

Use the Progressive app to easily file a claim. You may even be eligible to use our just send us photos and video of your vehicle’s damage and we’ll give you a repair estimate. You can also use the app to request roadside assistance and access all your insurance documents to help expedite the claims process.

Diy Fix For Car Scratches

Both clearcoat and paint scratches can be easily fixed with a bunch of car repair supplies. Before attempting to repair the scratch, give your car a hand wash to remove any debris or filth from the affected area. Using a clay bar or a microfiber towel, you may buff the surface to a high gloss. Swirls and hairline scratches will get removed, and your cars appearance will be revitalized. It can also assist you in identifying the areas that need the greatest attention. Make sure the car has been waxed and hand-buffed to remove any superficial scratches that may still be there. Apply a liquid scratch remover if you still detect scratches.

Read Also: What Credit Report Do Car Dealers Use

My Car Was Hit While Parked On The Street Am I Covered

Parking lots aren’t the only place where someone can hit your parked car many cars are also hit while parked on the street. If someone on the street hits or sideswipes your parked car and you can prove who caused the damage, their insurance should cover you. If you don’t know or can’t prove who hit your car but have collision or 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 pay out of pocket.

What Insurance Covers Parked Car Accidents

When it comes to parked car accidents, there are a few types of insurance that cover the damage done. Here is a brief overview of exactly which insurance coverages are used in these types of incidents:

• Property Damage Liability: This portion of your policy covers the damage you do to someone else’s property. In this case, it pays out to repair or replace the person’s car you hit up to your coverage limits.

Coverage limits can vary and you can set your limits when you purchase a policy. Almost every state in the country requires drivers to carry liability coverage but the required coverage limits can be quite low. As an example, in California, the required property damage coverage limit is a mere $5,000. Unless you barely scraped a 20-year-old car, this is not going to be enough coverage to fix the vehicle.

If you are carrying low limits and do significant damage to a vehicle, you will be on the hook for the difference. Imagine you hit a newish car and manage to do $7,500 worth of damage. If you are carrying the California minimum amount of coverage, you will be writing a check for $2,500 to repair their vehicle.

Most experts recommend upping property damage coverage to $50,000 and bodily injury even higher. “I always recommend carrying at least 100/300/50 when it comes to automotive liability coverage,” says Penny Gusner, senior consumer analyst for Carinsurance.com.

Read Also: Club Car Golf Cart Models By Year

Someone Hit My Parked Car And Left What Do I Do

Created by FindLaw’s team of legal writers and editors

You’re spending a relaxing Friday evening at a shopping center with your friend. Things were going great until you find your car in a parking garage with broken taillight and damaged bumper. It turns out, someone hit your parked car and left. What do you do now? Here are some tips and information on how to handle a hit and run accident.

How Do I Fix It

Luckily, paint scratches are easy to fix with an auto touch up paint kit. Whether you need Toyota touch up paint or Acura touch up paint, the Scratch Wizard will ensure your car looks like new in no time.

Toyota touch up paint kit options easily include the four neutral colors classified by the auto industry: black, white, gray, and silver. The touch up paint for your Toyota will match your make and model so you don’t need to worry about differences in color.

If you want to fix your keyed car today, visit scratchwizard.net for your car touch up paint kit today.

Don’t Miss: How To Repair Clear Coat Peeling

What Happens If You Crash Into The Back Of Someone

More often than not, if you drive into the back of someone, it will be classed as your fault. Rule number 126 of the Highway Code states that you should leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front so that you can pull up safely if it suddenly slows down.

Pay Attention In The Car Park Use Your Mirrors

Just because you’ve entered a car park doesn’t mean it’s time to lower your guard hazards are all around you.

You may be mentally compiling your shopping list or bobbing along to your favourite song, but it’s best to wait until you’re safely parked up and out of the vehicle first.

Perhaps the greatest danger in a car park is colliding with a pedestrian – they can be difficult to spot due to the other parked vehicles, structural columns and other obstacles. Then of course you have multiple other vehicles moving around – albeit slowly. Use your wing- and rear-view mirrors to stay aware of all these moving objects. And remember that just as your own view may be obscured, so too might those of other people.

You May Like: Will Aaa Tow A Car I Just Bought