car damaged while parked

Dealing with a Non-Fault Accident: Car Damage While Parked

Finding out someone hit your parked car is upsetting and frustrating, especially if they decided not to leave their information. Sadly, this incident is all too common no matter where you park, whether at work, the gym, or while shopping.

Car parks frequently cause issues due to tight parking spaces, crowded streets, and large vehicles. Shopping centres and supermarket parks are the most likely places for scratches or damage since the higher volume of vehicles increases the probability of crashes.

When you realise your car has been damaged while parked, you’ll want to act swiftly. While it is a stressful situation, there are ways to handle it effectively. Keep reading to learn what you should do if your car is damaged while parked.

1. Talk to the Person Responsible

If a driver damages your parked car without you present, they are legally required to leave a note. Failure to do so is a crime, and if caught, they can face criminal charges. However, only about 9% of drivers act responsibly for hit-and-run accidents.

If you’re lucky enough and the person that collided with your car stops and you can talk to them, you should ask for their information including their name, address, telephone number, insurance and registration plate.

If no note has been left, look for witnesses or any nearby CCTV cameras. In a busy location, someone may likely have witnessed the collision, and CCTV cameras may have captured the incident, helping identify the driver. Gathering as much evidence as possible increases the chances of holding the other driver responsible for the damage to your car.

2. Gather Evidence

After finding the damage to your vehicle, it’s crucial to gather evidence as quickly as possible. You can start with clear, high-quality photos of both the damage and the place where your car was parked. Using your phone to take these photos guarantees a time, date, and location stamp, which is important when dealing with insurance claims, as most companies want some kind of digital verification of any damage.

These photos will also be useful if you decide to repair the damage yourself or if the person responsible pays for the costs directly. This visual evidence allows you to get accurate repair quotes from local body shops and strengthens your case when dealing with insurance companies or negotiating with the responsible party.

3. Inform Your Insurance Company

Keeping your insurer informed gives you an extra layer of protection to help you confidently navigate the aftermath of an accident. Here are some key points to keep in mind when it comes to informing your insurer.

  • Report Damage to Your Insurance Company Even if you are not filing a claim, informing your insurer about any vehicle damage is crucial for a few reasons: it ensures your policy is valid, prevents invalidation, and allows them to document the incident. It also helps you understand your options for repairs and coverage. 
  • Discuss Alternatives With the Other Party If the other driver is at fault, ready, and willing to cover the costs, managing repairs privately can simplify the situation and allow for a quicker resolution without lengthy discussions or premium increases.
  • Legal Responsibility The other motorist is automatically blamed if your car was parked lawfully when hit. Gathering proof, like pictures or witness accounts, can support your claims and give peace of mind.
  • In case of No Response If you can’t reach the responsible party, you may have to make an insurance claim or pay for the repairs out of your own pocket. Filing a claim might reduce premiums, while managing repairs yourself could be financially feasible.

Regardless of what you choose to do, always ensure your insurance provider is informed of any damage to protect yourself from any potential coverage issues. When you quickly report the incident, you may handle any necessary repairs and be able to investigate any coverage alternatives.

4. Get Repairs Done Quickly

It’s crucial to get repairs completed as soon as possible after an accident, even if the damage appears to be minor. Although it’s easy to put off repairs, doing so can have both short and long-term consequences that can compromise your safety, be more costly, and make insurance claims more difficult.

In the short term, even small dents or scratches can have an immediate impact on your car’s structural integrity and its performance, hiding underlying damage to sensors, alignment, or the frame. Delaying repairs can exacerbate problems like exposed metal, which causes rust or corrosion and further weakens the affected parts, meaning more expensive repairs.

When it comes to long-term damages, failure to treat them can worsen mechanical problems or cause safety hazards. This compromises your vehicle’s stability and makes it more vulnerable in future accidents.

Delays in repairs can also impact your insurance coverage since many plans contain time restrictions for submitting claims or completing repairs. These delays could lead to repairs not being covered and the responsibility of the total bill falling on you.

Auto Body Repair After an Accident With Caversham Coachworks

Dealing with a non-fault accident can be stressful, but understanding how to approach the issue can make a big difference. Even if you want to handle repairs privately, remember to stay cool, obtain all relevant information, and report the incident to your insurance provider as soon as possible. Taking action sooner than later helps you avoid any future issues. 

We can’t stress enough how important it is to get your car fixed as quickly as possible after it has been struck by another driver. Delaying repairs can result in more harm, putting you and your passengers at risk. Especially after being involved in a non-fault accident, you’ll want to get your repairs done swiftly to help with insurance claims and to receive proper compensation. Addressing the damage as soon as you can not only saves the integrity of your car, but also avoids any expensive repairs in the long run.

Caversham Coachworks provides expert and efficient repair services, taking care of things like insurance, collision, paintless dent removal, and auto body repairs. As the top independent auto repair shop in Berkshire and Central Oxfordshire, we guarantee great service and quality work.

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