What Happens If Your Car Gets Hit When You’re Not There?
Last Updated on January 6, 2026
If your car gets hit while you’re not there, it’s usually handled as a hit-and-run unless the other driver leaves contact information. In most cases, repairs are covered by collision coverage or uninsured motorist coverage (if your state and policy include property damage coverage), but you may still owe a deductible.
Whether you find damage on the street, in your driveway, or in a parking lot, the process is similar: document what happened, report it, and decide whether filing a claim makes sense. If you want a deeper walkthrough specific to parked-car damage, see what to do if somebody hit your parked car.
Key Takeaways
- Hit While Parked Usually Means “Hit-and-Run”: If no driver is identified, insurers typically handle it as an unknown/at-fault loss.
- Coverage Depends on Your Policy: Collision coverage is the most common way to repair a hit-and-run parked-car claim; liability-only coverage usually won’t pay for your car.
- Deductibles and Limits Still Apply: Even when coverage applies, you may owe a deductible and some endorsements (like UMPD) can have separate limits.
- Document and Report It Fast: Photos, witness info, camera footage, and a police report can speed up repairs and improve the odds of recovering your deductible.
- What to Do Immediately After You Find the Damage
- Will Insurance Cover a Hit-and-Run on a Parked Car?
- Do You Have to Pay a Deductible?
- What If the Driver Didn’t Leave a Note?
- What If the Driver Is Found Later?
- How Much Will Insurance Pay?
- Will Filing a Claim Raise Your Rates?
- Final Word on a Parked Car Getting Hit When You’re Not There
- FAQs on What Happens If Your Car Gets Hit When You’re Not There
What to Do Immediately After You Find the Damage
Start by confirming everyone is safe and your vehicle is secure. Then take steps that protect your claim and improve the odds of identifying the at-fault driver.
| Step | Why It Matters | What to Collect |
|---|---|---|
| Call the police (or non-emergency line) | A report creates an official record and can help insurers verify the loss. | Ask how to file a police report after an accident and get the report/incident number. Many insurers also ask: do you need a police report to file a claim? |
| Document the scene | Photos and notes reduce disputes about what happened and when. | Close-up and wide-angle photos, video walkaround, and a quick timeline. Use this guide on documenting damage and gathering evidence for a claim. |
| Look for witnesses and cameras | Independent witnesses and video can identify the vehicle or driver. | Nearby businesses, doorbell cameras, parking lot security, and witness statements (names, phone numbers, short written summary). |
| Notify your insurer | Prompt notice helps preserve coverage and speeds up repairs. | Your policy number, photos, and report number. Follow the proper way to file an insurance claim after an accident. |
Quick tip: If the damage is severe or your car isn’t safe to drive, ask the responding agency (or your insurer) about towing rules in your area before moving it—especially if the car is parked in a spot where it could be ticketed or towed.
Will Insurance Cover a Hit-and-Run on a Parked Car?
Sometimes. Coverage depends on what happened and what you bought. Insurers typically treat a parked-car hit-and-run like an accident with an unknown driver, which is why the right first-party coverage matters. For more detail, see how hit-and-run accidents work with insurance.
| Coverage Type | When It Typically Pays | Common Deductible Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Collision | Your car was hit by another vehicle (even if the driver is unknown). | Usually applies and is selected by you (often $250, $500, or $1,000). |
| Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) | Your policy/state includes property damage coverage for uninsured or unknown drivers. | Varies by state and insurer; some policies have a deductible, others don’t. |
| Comprehensive | Damage is not from a collision (for example vandalism, hail, falling objects, animal damage). | Usually applies and is selected by you; often separate from collision. |
| Liability Only | Pays for injuries/damage you cause to others—not your own vehicle. | No deductible for your liability payments, but it won’t fix your car. |
If you have a minimum policy built around bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverage, that protection generally won’t pay to repair your own car after a hit-and-run. In that situation, you’re usually paying out of pocket unless the at-fault driver is identified and their insurer accepts responsibility.
If you’re not there when it happens, the right coverage can save you a big out-of-pocket bill.
Use the buttons below to match your situation. Then enter your ZIP to compare policies — especially if you want better protection for hit-and-runs or parking lot damage.
They left a note
- If the other driver is identified, their liability may pay for your damage.
- Get photos and their insurance info — then file a claim ASAP.
- If the insurer drags its feet, your collision can help (minus your deductible).
Compare car insurance rates near you
Enter your ZIP to see options that fit your situation.
No SSN required. Fast, free comparison — coverages and deductibles vary by state.
Do You Have to Pay a Deductible?
Often, yes. A deductible is the portion you pay before the insurer covers the remaining approved repair costs. If you haven’t reviewed yours recently, this guide explains how car insurance deductibles work.
In most policies:
- Collision claims usually require a deductible.
- UMPD claims may have a deductible depending on state rules and how the endorsement is written.
- Comprehensive claims usually require a separate comprehensive deductible (if you carry that coverage).
What If the Driver Didn’t Leave a Note?
If there’s no note and no clear at-fault party identified, insurers typically handle it as a hit-and-run. That means your claim is commonly routed through collision or UMPD (if available), and you’ll follow the same steps: report the incident, document damage, and cooperate with the investigation.
If you can identify the vehicle—especially with a license plate number from a hit-and-run—share that information with the police and your insurer. It can move the claim from “unknown driver” to a standard at-fault liability claim against the other driver.
What If the Driver Is Found Later?
If the other driver is identified and they have insurance, their property damage liability coverage may pay for repairs. If your insurer already paid under collision or UMPD, they may pursue reimbursement from the at-fault driver (a process called subrogation). When that recovery is successful, your deductible may be refunded, though timing varies.
How Much Will Insurance Pay?
Payment depends on your coverage type, your limits, your deductible, and the vehicle’s value. If the repair cost is high enough, the insurer may declare a total loss and settle based on the vehicle’s actual cash value (ACV) minus your deductible.
Review your auto insurance limits, especially if you rely on UMPD. In some states or policies, UMPD can have lower limits than collision—meaning a large repair bill could leave you paying some costs out of pocket.
Will Filing a Claim Raise Your Rates?
It depends on your insurer, state rules, your claims history, and how the loss is coded. A hit-and-run may still be treated as a claim on your policy even if you weren’t driving, so it’s worth understanding potential premium impacts before proceeding—especially with smaller repairs. Learn more about rate changes after a collision claim and whether uninsured motorist claims can raise your rates.
Final Word on a Parked Car Getting Hit When You’re Not There
When you discover your parked car has been hit, treat it like a hit-and-run: report it, document it, and notify your insurer. Most drivers are covered through collision coverage (and sometimes UMPD), but deductibles and limits still apply—so it’s smart to compare the expected payout to your out-of-pocket cost before filing.
