If My Car Is Hit While Parked, Is It Comprehensive or Collision?
Unravel the complexities of car insurance when your parked vehicle is damaged. Learn what coverage applies and how to navigate the claim process effectively.
When you return to your parked car only to find it damaged, the initial frustration can quickly turn into confusion about how your car insurance might respond. Understanding the various types of auto insurance coverage and their applications becomes important in such situations. Knowing how to navigate the aftermath and the subsequent insurance claim process can help alleviate the stress of unexpected vehicle damage.
Understanding Collision and Comprehensive Coverage
Auto insurance policies include different types of coverage. Two primary types are collision and comprehensive coverage, which address distinct categories of vehicle damage. Both are optional, though lenders often require them if a vehicle is financed or leased.
Collision coverage helps pay to repair or replace your car if it is damaged in an accident involving another vehicle or an object, such as a fence or tree. This coverage applies regardless of who is at fault. It covers incidents where your car hits something, or something hits your car.
Comprehensive coverage, sometimes referred to as “other than collision,” protects against damage from non-collision events. This includes incidents outside of your control, such as theft, vandalism, fire, and weather-related damage like hail, floods, or falling objects. It also covers damage from hitting an animal or glass breakage not caused by a collision.
Determining Coverage for a Parked Car Incident
When a parked car is hit, the applicable insurance coverage depends on whether the at-fault driver is identified and the incident’s nature. If another driver hits your parked car and leaves their information, their property damage liability insurance should cover repairs. In this scenario, you would typically file a claim with their insurance provider.
If the at-fault driver is identified but does not have insurance, or has insufficient coverage, your own policy might provide protection. Your collision coverage can help pay for repairs if your car is hit by an uninsured driver, or you may be able to use Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) coverage if it is available on your policy and in your state.
For hit-and-run incidents where the responsible party cannot be identified, your collision coverage often applies. Alternatively, Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) may also cover hit-and-run damage in some states, though its applicability can vary. If the damage to your parked car is not from another vehicle but from events like vandalism, a falling tree, or severe weather, then comprehensive coverage would apply.
Steps to Take After Your Parked Car Is Hit
Discovering damage to your parked car requires immediate action for proper documentation and a smoother insurance process. Begin by thoroughly documenting the damage with photographs and videos from various angles, capturing the extent of the impact on your vehicle and any debris or tire marks at the scene. Include photos of the surrounding area, such as landmarks or signage, to establish the location.
If the at-fault driver is present, exchange contact and insurance information, and gather details from any witnesses. In situations where the driver is unknown, such as a hit-and-run, check for nearby surveillance cameras by asking businesses or property owners, as footage could help identify the culprit.
Filing a police report is an important step, particularly for hit-and-run incidents or if the damage is substantial. While not always legally required for minor damage, a police report creates an official record of the incident, which insurers often request during the claims process. Obtain a copy of the report and the responding officer’s name and badge number for your records.
Filing an Insurance Claim
After gathering all necessary information and documentation, formally initiate an insurance claim. Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible, which can typically be done via phone, through a mobile application, or on their online portal. Prompt reporting helps ensure that all details are fresh in your memory and can expedite the process.
When filing the claim, provide the information collected at the scene, including photos, the police report number, and any details about the other driver if known. Your insurer will then guide you through the process, which usually involves an adjuster assessing the damage to your vehicle. The adjuster will determine the cost of repairs and verify coverage.
A deductible is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before your insurance coverage begins to pay for the repairs. Common deductibles typically range from $250 to $1,000, and this amount is applied per claim. Once your deductible is paid, your insurance company will cover the remaining approved repair costs up to your policy limits.