What Should You Do if Someone Hits Your Parked Car?

Last Updated on December 14, 2025

If someone hits your parked car, the next steps depend on one big thing: do you know who hit you? If the driver left their info, it’s a standard claim. If they took off, it’s usually treated as a hit-and-run.

Either way, you’ll want to document the damage, report the incident, and figure out which coverage applies (the other driver’s liability, your collision coverage, or uninsured motorist property damage in some states).

Here’s exactly what to do if someone hits your parked car—and how to handle the insurance claim from start to finish.

Key Takeaways

• If someone hits your parked car, document everything (photos/video/notes) and look for witnesses or nearby cameras right away.
• If the at-fault driver is identified, their property damage liability typically pays—often without you paying a deductible.
• If it’s a hit-and-run, your collision coverage usually pays for repairs (minus your deductible), and UMPD may apply in some states.
• Rates may or may not rise after a parked-car claim; ask your insurer how the claim is classified and whether you’ll lose any claim-free discounts.

The First Steps

No matter where it happened (street parking, a parking lot, your driveway), take these steps as soon as you notice the damage:

1. Check for a note and look for witnesses. Check your windshield, driver-side window, and the ground nearby. Ask nearby employees/residents if anyone saw it happen.
2. Call local police or the non-emergency line (especially for hit-and-run). In many places you can file a report by phone or online for a parked-car hit-and-run. A report can help with insurance and can be required for certain coverages in some states/policies. (Learn more: how to file a police report after an accident.)
3. Take photos, videos, and notes. Document the damage from multiple angles: close-ups, wider shots showing the whole car, and photos of the surrounding area. Note the date/time you discovered it, where the car was parked, and any clues (paint transfer, debris, tire marks, broken plastic, etc.).
4. Look for cameras. Parking lots, businesses, and even neighboring homes may have cameras. If you see any, ask right away how long footage is kept and whether they can save a copy.
5. Notify your insurer. Your insurer will explain which coverage applies and what they need from you. You may upload photos and the report through a portal/app. They may also recommend certain repair shops, but you can typically choose your own shop depending on your state and policy.

When Someone Hits Your Parked Car, Whose Insurance Pays?

There are two main paths:

• If you know the driver: You usually file through their property damage liability coverage. This is often the cleanest option because you may avoid paying your own deductible.
• If you don’t know the driver (hit-and-run): You may need to file through your own policy using collision coverage or (in some states) uninsured motorist property damage coverage.

How Insurance Covers Parked Car Accidents

If someone hits your parked car, these are the coverages that may apply:

1) The other driver’s property damage liability (best case): If the driver left a note or you identify them, their insurance should pay for your repairs (up to their policy limits) if they’re at fault. This route may also allow you to pursue other losses like towing or a rental car, depending on the situation and their limits.

2) Collision coverage (common for hit-and-run): If you have collision coverage, it typically covers damage to your car when another vehicle hits it—parked or moving. You pay your deductible (often $500–$1,500, depending on what you chose) and your insurer pays the remaining covered repair costs. Collision is optional in every state, but usually required if you lease or finance your vehicle.

3) Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) (varies by state): Uninsured motorist property damage coverage may help pay for repairs if the other driver is unknown or uninsured—but availability and rules vary a lot by state. In some states it’s not offered, and in others it may not apply to hit-and-run property damage. If you carry UMPD, ask your insurer whether it applies in your situation and what documentation is required.

What doesn’t pay for your parked-car damage? Basic liability insurance only pays for damage you cause to others. It doesn’t fix your car if someone hits you and disappears.

How a Parked Car Claim Usually Works

Once you report the claim, the process usually looks like this:

1. Claim is opened (either with the at-fault driver’s insurer or your own).
2. An estimate is written (photo estimate, shop estimate, or adjuster inspection).
3. Repairs begin at a shop (your insurer may guarantee work at preferred shops, but you may be able to choose).
4. Payment is issued (to you, the shop, or both). If you used your collision coverage, your deductible applies.
5. If another driver is identified later, your insurer may pursue reimbursement (subrogation). If they recover money, you may get your deductible back.

What If It’s a Hit-and-Run?

Many parked-car accidents are hit-and-run accidents—your vehicle was damaged when you were not there, and the driver left.

• If the driver left a note with insurance info, treat it like a normal at-fault claim and contact their insurer (and notify yours too).
• If the driver didn’t leave info, file a police report and ask your insurer which coverage applies (collision vs. UMPD, if available).
• If the damage looks intentional (scratches/keying), that may be vandalism instead of a collision—handled differently under comprehensive coverage.

Will My Insurance Go Up If I File a Claim for a Parked Car Hit?

It depends on your insurer, state rules, and the type of claim.

• If the other driver’s insurer pays: you’re less likely to see an increase on your policy since you didn’t use your own coverage.
• If you file through your collision coverage: rates can increase at renewal with some insurers—even if you weren’t at fault—though many drivers don’t see a major change.
• If UMPD applies: some insurers treat it more leniently than an at-fault collision, but outcomes vary.

If you’re on the fence, ask your insurer what your deductible would be, whether the claim is considered “not at fault,” and whether you risk losing any claim-free discounts. Then decide if it’s worth filing.

If You Hit a Parked Car, Don’t Leave

If you’re the at-fault driver in a parked-car collision, you’re generally required to remain at the scene (or leave your information) and report the incident as required by local law. Leaving without providing info can lead to hit-and-run charges.

Here’s what to do after hitting a parked car:

• Don’t leave the scene without taking the proper steps.
• Try to locate the owner and exchange insurance information like any other accident.
• If you can’t find the owner, leave a note with your name, phone number, insurance company, and a brief explanation.
• Call your insurer and notify them of the accident.

FAQs on Someone Hitting Your Parked Car

Final Word: Somebody Hit Your Parked Car

If someone hits your parked car, insurance may cover the damage—but the right coverage depends on whether the at-fault driver is identified.

If the driver is known, their property damage liability usually pays. If it’s a hit-and-run, collision coverage is often the most reliable option, and uninsured motorist property damage may apply in some states.

Start by documenting everything, filing a report when appropriate, and contacting your insurer to confirm the fastest (and least expensive) way to get your car repaired.