It is not your fault, but it happened anyway. Now you are worried about the consequences with your insurance company. If you file a claim, you do not want it to affect you in the long run. As long as you follow the rules of your own insurance company’s and the at-fault driver’s insurance company, you should be fine!
Catching the driver hitting your car is beneficial to you. Collecting their name and contact information is the first step. You want to be in contact with their insurance company as soon as possible. It is your responsibility to file the claim. There are a few alternatives to not having their contact information (which is considered a hit and run). If you have uninsured motorist coverage or collision coverage, then you are still covered if your parked car was damaged by another driver.
What Steps Should I Take To Avoid Liability?
Though you did not cause the accident, there are a few steps that you need to take when another person hits your parked car. First of all, do not leave the scene of the accident too soon. This includes a hit and run. Do not leave yet!
If the driver is present, then collect their information. Get their name, address, phone number, and car insurance company. To be safe, get information on their car insurance policy as well. This ensures that they have the type of coverage to cover your damages. Keep this information on-hand. You will have to give it to the police and to your auto insurance company.
Once you get their information, look for witnesses and evidence. This is especially true if the accident was a hit-and-run. Not having the driver’s information does not mean that all is lost. There could have been security cameras and people watching the accident. If the accident was a hit-and-run and you do not have this information, then there is no chance to file a claim against them.
The police can help you collect evidence and witnesses. They are more highly skilled and probably more familiar with the types of security in the area. A police officer may also question the other driver for you if they are still on the scene. A police report about the accident helps your insurance company determine liability, and it is important to have. Sadly for you, it is unlikely for the police to arrive at the scene if there are no injuries or other signs of crime.
What If I Can’t Collect This Information?
If you cannot collect any information on the driver, try to file a police report. A hit-and-run is a serious crime, and the police will get involved. If the damages are minimal, it may be a better idea to pay for them out of pocket. This decreases the likelihood of your car insurance company to raise your premium. Determine if filing a claim for a hit-and-run is worth it in the long run, especially if you have no information on the driver.
If the damage is substantial, or if you cannot pay for the damage out-of-pocket, then your insurance company should pay for the damages. This is more likely if you have collision coverage or uninsured motorist coverage. Having a police report boosts your claim as well.
You can avoid a claim on your own insurance altogether if you have the driver’s information. Their liability insurance should cover the damages. It is your responsibility to file a third-party claim to receive coverage for the damages. This also bypasses your own auto insurance company, and your premium will not go up as a result.