When on the road, it is crucial to keep yourself focused and alert, as anything can happen. Unfortunately, you cannot always control the actions of others, so keeping your eyes on the road is extremely important. But what happens when you aren’t behind the wheel of your car? Furthermore, what happens when your parked car is hit in a parking lot or street? When situations such as these arise, people are generally left wondering what to do. Luckily, isure has everything you need to know when your parked car gets damaged.
What do I do if my parked car is hit?
So, you’ve just finished running your errands and you return to see your car has been hit. Regardless of the damage, it is important not to panic! Generally, the way you will proceed is similar to how you would proceed in any normal car accident. The steps you will want to follow are:
- Do not move your car or leave the scene.
- Locate the person who hit your car, if possible. If you can’t, check to see if there is a note. Depending on the extent of the damage, the culprit will leave a note containing their insurance information, as well as the best method of contacting them (phone number, email, etc.) If they haven’t, look around to see if any neighbouring homes or businesses have security camera footage you can review. Or, check to see if there are any witnesses around who may have seen what happened.
- Take photographs of the damage to your car. You will need these for your insurance claims and police report. This can include any dents or scratches that are new.
- Contact the police and file a report. Depending on the extent of the damage, wait for them to show up. Remember that Ontario driver’s are legally obligated to report an accident if someone is injured, or if the accident results in over $2,000 or more in damage.
- Contact your insurance provider or isure broker to file an insurance claim, if required.
Do I have coverage if my parked car is hit?
Generally speaking, yes! Similar to other accidents, your insurance company will most likely help if your car was hit in a parking lot, depending on your policy. If someone hits your legally parked vehicle, they are considered at-fault in the accident. By making a claim through your car insurance company, you will likely be compensated for the damage to your vehicle. However, things can get tricky if you were illegally parked or in a no-parking zone. It is always important to make sure you are fully up to date and informed on your policy, and what it entails.
Does the parking lot 50/50 rule apply?
There is a common misconception that when an accident occurs in a parking lot, the fault is considered 50/50. This however, is not true! Accidents that occur in parking lots differ on a case-by-case basis. In general, if you collide with a vehicle that is parked legally, you are to blame for the accident. From there, the accident gets treated just as it would if it occurred on the road. It is common for drivers to not report accidents that occur in parking lots. This is due to the fact it will make its way onto their driving record and can impact insurance premiums. If caught fleeing the scene, you can suffer some serious consequences, as this is now a hit-and-run scenario.
What if I was injured while inside my parked car?
In some scenarios, you may have been injured in the accident. Perhaps you were still sitting in your vehicle when you were hit, or simply standing beside it. In cases such as these, if you were not parked illegally, the driver who hit you will be at-fault. If they fail to stop and flee the scene of the accident, it is important to remain calm, get as much information of the vehicle that you can (licence plate number, car make, model and colour, driver description) and call the police. They can possibly be charged with a hit-and-run.
What if the at-fault driver flees the scene?
Unfortunately, it’s not always as easy as exchanging information with the person who hits your vehicle. In some cases, drivers may flee the scene. It is illegal to leave the scene of an accident, especially if it results in property damage or injury. In cases like this, you should first see if there are any witnesses. Additionally, check if the parking lot you are in has any security cameras that can have potentially spotted the driver hitting your car. If the driver is not found, your insurance company will likely deem the fleeing driver as uninsured. This is where your uninsured automobile coverage will come into play. It can help compensate you for damages done to your car.
If the driver is found and your damages are significant enough, you may be able to file a lawsuit against them in order to retrieve your losses. Remember that fleeing the scene of an accident can come with some serious consequences, such as:
- A fine of up to $2,000
- Two-year licence suspension
- Up to six months in jail
- Demerit points on your driving record
No matter the situation, it is crucial to make sure your auto policy has the proper coverage for the best rate. If you are in the market for new auto insurance, why not contact isure? We will find you the best premium rates in the province, as well as provide customer service you can rely on in any situation. Contact us or request a quote today!
