Someone Hit My Parked Car

Who is at fault?

A legally parked car cannot cause an accident. If another vehicle drove into it, the driver of that vehicle is liable for the damage. Their insurer is responsible for putting it right.

The only exception is if your car was parked illegally such as on a yellow line, blocking a junction, or in a way that created a hazard. In those cases, a court might find you contributed to the accident. If you were parked lawfully, liability is clear.

The starting point

If your car was legally parked and another vehicle drove into it, the other driver is at fault. Their insurer pays for the damage, not yours.

If they drove off without stopping

If the driver who hit your car left without leaving details, the claim becomes more complicated but it is not lost. Car parks almost always have CCTV, and footage is typically kept for at least 30 days. Act quickly.

If the driver can be identified from CCTV or witness accounts, you can claim from their insurer in the normal way. If they cannot be traced, the Motor Insurers' Bureau handles claims against untraced drivers for property damage, though conditions apply.

What to collect at the scene

If the driver stopped, collect as much of the following as possible.

Their full name and home address
Vehicle registration number
Name of their insurance company and policy number
Their phone number
Photographs of both vehicles, the damage, and the position in the car park or road
Names and contact numbers of any witnesses

If no details were left

Report the incident to the police, they can trace the registered keeper from the plate number. Note the exact time and location of the incident. If it happened in a managed car park, contact the operator: they control the CCTV and may be able to identify the driver or provide footage directly.

Who pays for the repair?

If the other driver is identified and insured, their insurer pays for the repair. You are not required to go through your own policy, pay your excess, or affect your no claims discount.

If you contact the at-fault driver’s insurer directly, they will handle the claim on behalf of their policyholder. Alternatively, we can manage the entire process for you; dealing with their insurer, arranging the repair, and providing a replacement vehicle while your car is being fixed.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to go through my own insurer if someone hit my parked car?

No. If the other driver is identified and insured, you can claim directly from their insurer. Going through your own policy would mean paying your excess and potentially affecting your no claims discount, neither of which is necessary in a straightforward parked car case.

What if they did not leave a note?

Start with CCTV and witnesses. Car parks are covered by cameras in almost every case, and footage is usually kept for a minimum of 30 days. Report the incident to the police so there is a formal record. If the driver cannot be identified, the Motor Insurers' Bureau handles untraced driver claims for property damage, though conditions and thresholds apply.

Does where I was parked affect who is at fault?

Yes, if you were parked illegally. A legally parked car cannot cause an accident. If you were on a yellow line, blocking a junction, or in a prohibited area, a tribunal might find you contributed to the accident. In the vast majority of parked car incidents the car is parked lawfully, and fault is clear.

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Someone hit my parked car: what to do and who pays

If someone drove into your parked car, the responsibility sits with the driver who hit it and whether they stopped or not. Your car was not moving, and a stationary car cannot cause an accident.