Does my auto insurance cover damage to my car if I hit a parked car?

Hitting a parked car is a fairly common type of accident. For example, you might accidentally bump into another vehicle in a parking lot or side-swipe a car on a narrow street.

But, no matter how the accident happens, you will probably wonder, “Does auto insurance cover damage to my car if I hit a parked car?” Keep reading to learn the answer to this question, the importance of understanding auto insurance, and other tips.

Does auto insurance cover damage to my car if I hit a parked car?

The answer to this question is yes, provided you have collision insurance. This type of auto insurance will cover you if you crash with another vehicle or object requiring your vehicle to be repaired.

Collision insurance covers repairs resulting from various accident scenarios, including hitting a parked car, running into a tree, or rolling your vehicle. Collision auto insurance is not legally required, but there may be situations where you need to have it.

To learn more about the auto insurance requirements by state, speak with your insurance company.

Is collision insurance mandatory if I hit a parked car?

Collision auto insurance is not legally required, but there may be situations where you need to have it. For example, if you are still making payments on your vehicle, your bank or other lender may require you to have it.

Although it is not mandatory, having collision insurance as part of your policy is a good idea. Accidents can happen to even the safest of drivers, and collision auto insurance will help ensure that you don’t have to pay for costly repairs to your vehicle if you hit a parked car.

What should I do if I hit a parked car?

When it comes to who is at fault when hitting a parked car, it is the driver who causes the fender bender, and there are certain things you must do in this situation. For example, while accidentally hitting a parked car is not a crime, doing nothing and leaving the scene is a felony.

This would make it a hit-and-run accident, which is against the law.

If you have the time, wait a few minutes to see if the owner comes along, and if they do, explain that you hit their parked car, and give them your contact information. If no one appears, leave a note under the windshield that includes your:

• Name
• Phone number
• Insurance company

Keep the note short and sweet, and do not add an explanation of how or why you hit their car. For example, don’t admit you were distracted or make any other confessions.

Additional Steps to Take After Hitting a Parked Car

In addition to speaking with the other vehicle’s owner or leaving a note on the windshield, you should also take plenty of photos of the damage to both cars. Take a picture of the license plate of the car you hit, and also note the day and time when the accident occurred.

Read more: Does my auto insurance cover damage to my windshield?

If there are witnesses, ask for their contact information and ask them what they saw. After gathering all this information, report the incident to your insurance company. You will be assigned a claims adjuster who will examine the damage to your vehicle.

You can contact the adjuster, or your agent, to check the status of an auto insurance claim and see when you will receive your money. If the damage is relatively minor, you might want to pay for it out of pocket so your rates will not increase.

Final Thoughts on if Auto Insurance Covers Damage to Your Car if You Hit a Parked Car

Being involved in any type of accident is difficult, even if it results in a few nicks and dings to your vehicle and the one you ran into. Fortunately, knowing you have collision insurance can help ease some of your stress.

If you do not currently have collision insurance, you might want to speak with your insurance agent, if you have one, about any other types of auto insurance coverage you might want to add to your policy.

This way, if you accidentally cause a fender bender with a parked car, you can rest assured that the damage to your vehicle will be covered.