“I literally stopped for five minutes to run in and grab some donuts for my Dad,” Margie said. “And when I came out of the store, there was a big dent in my trunk and my signal light was broken. No note or anything! I went to all the stores in the plaza to see if they had any cameras showing what happened, but no luck. So now what? How do I get my car fixed?”
When your car’s been damaged through no fault of your own, it’s frustrating and irritating. Now there’s the expense of having your car repaired to deal with. The first thing you’ll want to do is call your insurance company. Depending on the type of coverage you have, repairs for this type of accident may be covered.
Understanding Your Insurance Coverage After a Hit-and-Run
If the person who hit your parked car vanished without leaving a note, it’s typically considered a hit and run. Whether your insurance will cover the repairs depends on your specific policy:
- Collision coverage (sometimes called Upset coverage) or All Perils coverage is usually required for your insurer to pay for repairs from a hit and run.
- In some provinces, Comprehensive coverage may also apply. Always check your own policy details.
- No matter your coverage, you’ll almost always need to pay your deductible when making a claim for a hit-and-run.
- Be sure to report the incident to the police as soon as possible—ideally within 24 hours. This police report is often required by insurers to process your claim.
Once that issue has been addressed, your next step is to find an auto body collision repair shop that is an expert in fixing your type of car. Margie has a Subaru, so she looked for a local collision shop for Subarus. Signs you’re in the right auto body repair shop include certification of repair technicians – ongoing education helps them keep current with the new technology in today’s cars – as well as the ability to provide body work, mechanical repair, glass replacement and paint repairs as needed.
After any accident, a car should be thoroughly inspected to ensure it’s safe to drive. Sometimes frame damage can occur after even a minor accident. Being hit puts the entire car’s structure under stress. Damage isn’t always immediately visible.
After the inspection, you will be provided with a report detailing any body damage, mechanical damage, glass damage and other problems with the car, as well as a list of your repair options. If your insurance is covering the repairs, this is the time to have the car fully restored to its original condition. If you’re paying out of pocket, the auto tech will help you understand which repairs are necessary for the safe operation of the vehicle and which are more appearance oriented.
Quick Checklist After a Parking Lot Hit-and-Run:
- Check for witnesses or security footage right away.
- Document the damage with photos from multiple angles.
- File a police report as soon as possible (usually within 24 hours).
- Contact your insurance company to clarify your coverage and next steps.
- Get a thorough safety inspection and repair estimate from a certified collision repair shop.
Even if it feels like just another parking lot headache, taking these steps will help ensure your car is safe, your claim can be processed smoothly, and you can get back on the road with less stress.
