Your Parked Car Was Hit: What to Do

A parked-car hit splits into two paths depending on whether the other driver stayed. If they left a note: their liability insurance pays, you're a victim with a straightforward not-at-fault claim. If they fled: it's a hit-and-run and your own coverage (collision or UM-PD in some states) is the primary recovery path. This page is specifically for the parked-car scenario; general hit-and-run guidance is at hit-and-run victim.

Scenario A: Driver left a note

1. Document the damage: photos of your car, the note, surrounding scene.
2. File a police report (not required in every state but useful for insurer).
3. Call the other driver's insurance (the note should include it) and file a claim as the claimant.
4. Their liability property-damage pays your repair plus loss-of-use (rental during repair).
5. Your own policy need not be involved; no surcharge, no CLUE entry on your side.

Scenario B: Driver fled (hit-and-run)

1. Photograph the damage and any debris. Note the time you discovered it.
2. Look for witnesses, security cameras, or doorbell/dash cams. Convenience-store, parking-garage, and residential doorbell cameras have identified many hit-and-run drivers.
3. File a police report within 24 hours (required for UM-PD claims in most states).
4. Call your own carrier. Open a claim under:
   • UM-PD if your state offers it and you carry it. Common $200 to $300 deductible or none, depending on state.
   • Collision otherwise. Your collision deductible applies ($500 typical).
5. If the driver is later identified via investigation, your insurer may subrogate against their policy and refund your deductible.

When collision beats UM-PD

UM-PD in some states caps at $3,500 or $5,000 (CA: $3,500 cap). If your repair exceeds that, collision has no cap and may be the better choice. The trade-off is collision applies your deductible; UM-PD may not. On a $4,000 repair in California: UM-PD pays $3,500 (if you carry it), collision pays $3,500 after $500 deductible. Collision wins by $0 here but UM-PD is less friction. On a $12,000 repair: collision pays $11,500; UM-PD caps at $3,500. Collision wins by $8,000.

Will my rate go up?

• Note-left scenario: no, you're not at fault; the other party's insurance paid.
• Hit-and-run with UM-PD: typically no surcharge; UM claims rarely rate-up.
• Hit-and-run with collision: typically no surcharge; collision for a parked loss is a not-at-fault claim. Multiple comp or collision claims within 3 years can trigger non-renewal in rare cases.