Someone Hit my Parked car: Will my Insurance go up?

someone hit my car

Quick answer:

If someone else hits your parked car, will your insurance rates go up? There’s a few factors that go into determining if your insurance rate goes up or not. Assuming you don’t have the insurance information of the doofus who hit you, the damage will most likely be covered under collision coverage and treated as a hit-and-run. And because the accident was not your fault, your rates will not increase.

What happens to insurance if someone hits your car?

One variable that is usually the deciding factor is figuring out who’s the one at fault. Was it your own reckless driving that made it impossible for the other party to not hit your car? Or did it happen when you were not around and the driver managed to hit your parked car? Often times if you are proven to not be at fault, the insurance companies do not raise your rate. However, if there is any possibility that your driving or parking skills may have been an indirect cause to the accident, then companies may raise your auto insurance premiums.

Hit-and-run classification

If your parked car was damaged or hit during a time you were not around and no note has been left behind, then your insurance carrier is most likely going to treat it as a hit-and-run case. There is a slight possibility that such cases can hold you accountable, but if you have collision coverage, filing a claim and obtaining a report can cover your costs. You may, however, need to pay a small deductible to have your damages repaired.

Accident Forgiveness

Even if, for whatever reason, you are found at fault for the minor collision, your insurance company may include accident forgiveness. This generally requires an otherwise excellent driving record, as the number of accidents you get into can affect how high your insurance rates can go. Companies may also adopt policies that increase insurance rates every time you make a claim. Make sure you’re aware of all these policies to avoid miscommunication and misunderstanding.

Choose quality insurance for a better outcome

To avoid high/rising insurance rates and poor customer service experiences, it’s important to choose the right car insurance carrier. Companies with selective policies may have cheaper premiums, but in the long run you may end up paying for more than what you had bargained for. Research your insurance provider well, and take time to compare policies and rates, so when the inevitable “bumper-buster” happens, you can have as little headache and cost as possible.

Written by Peter V.
Peter is an L.A.-based designer, blogger and daily commuter. He explores what causes parking to suck in urban environments, how to bring about parking regulation changes, and the latest advancements in parking tech.