Someone hit my parked car — what do I do?

It happens more than you’d expect: someone hit your parked car and now you’re looking at a dent, a scraped door, or a smashed wing mirror with nobody in sight. Or they left a note. Or the whole thing was caught on a dash cam. Each scenario plays out differently for your insurance claim and your wallet.

Here’s the practical guide to each situation.

If the other driver is there or left a note

This is the best case. Get as much information as possible before they leave:

Full name and address Phone number Vehicle registration Their insurer’s name and policy number (not legally required at the scene, but most will give it) Photos of both vehicles showing the contact point, both number plates, and the surrounding area

If there are witnesses, get their contact details too. If the damage is significant, call the police — though for a minor car park bump, they’re unlikely to attend and will typically tell you it’s a civil matter.

With the other driver’s details, you have two options: claim through their insurer directly (a third-party claim, which shouldn’t affect your NCD) or claim through your own insurer and let them recover the cost from the at-fault driver’s insurer. Your insurer will advise on which route is faster in your specific case.

If they drove off without leaving a note

This is a hit-and-run, and it’s more common than most people realise. Your options depend on your level of cover:

With comprehensive insurance: You can claim for the repair through your own policy. You’ll pay your excess. Your no-claims discount may be affected, depending on your insurer’s terms — although many insurers treat untraced third-party incidents more leniently than at-fault claims.

With third-party only or TPFT: You have no cover for damage to your own vehicle caused by an untraced driver. You’d need to fund the repair yourself or pursue the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB), which operates a scheme for victims of untraced drivers — primarily designed for injuries rather than property damage.

Report the incident to the police regardless. You’ll need a crime reference number for your insurance claim, and it creates a record if the driver is later identified via CCTV or witnesses.

If you have dashcam footage

This significantly improves your position. Modern dashcams often have parking mode, which continues recording while the car is parked and motion is detected. If the incident was captured:

Review the footage before moving the car or touching anything Note the timestamp, the offending vehicle’s registration, and the driver if visible Export and save the clip immediately — dashcam storage is often overwritten within 24–48 hours Report to the police with the footage — they’re more likely to pursue a traced driver Share with your insurer — footage almost always accelerates the claims process and helps establish liability clearly

Should you claim or pay out of pocket?

When someone hit your parked car, it’s worth doing the maths before you call your insurer. If the repair cost is less than your excess plus the likely premium increase at renewal, paying for it privately keeps your record clean.

Example: repair quote of £350, your excess is £300, and a claim would likely increase your next renewal by £120. You’d pay £350 out of pocket versus £300 (excess) + £120 (future loading) = £420 by claiming. Self-pay wins by £70, and your NCD stays intact.

The calculus changes as damage gets more serious. For anything over £1,000, claiming is almost always the right financial decision even accounting for the NCD impact.

What happens to your insurance if you weren’t at fault?

If the other driver is traced and their insurer accepts liability, the claim is handled on a non-fault basis. In an ideal outcome: your insurer deals with theirs, your car is repaired, you don’t pay any excess, and your NCD is unaffected.

In practice, even non-fault claims can generate a small premium loading at renewal — insurers treat involvement in any incident as a mild risk signal regardless of fault. It’s worth shopping around at renewal rather than auto-renewing if you’ve had a non-fault claim. Find out more about whether your insurance will go up after a claim.

What if the damage is minor and you’re unsure whether to report it?

If you don’t intend to claim and the other driver isn’t known, you’re not obligated to report minor self-damage to your insurer. However, if a third party was involved — even a parked car you found already damaged — most policy terms require you to report the incident even if you’re not making a claim. Failing to report a known third-party incident can be grounds for voiding the policy later.

When in doubt, call your insurer and explain the situation before deciding whether to claim. A notification is not the same as a claim and won’t automatically trigger a premium increase.

Frequently asked questions

Is hitting a parked car and driving off a criminal offence?

Yes. Driving away after hitting another vehicle without stopping and leaving details is a criminal offence under the Road Traffic Act. It can result in a fine, penalty points and in serious cases disqualification.

Will my insurance go up if someone hits my parked car?

Possibly slightly, even if the claim is non-fault. It varies by insurer.

Can I claim on my insurance if the driver isn’t found?

Yes, under comprehensive cover. You’ll pay your excess and the insurer covers the repair.

What if the damage is very minor — a scuff or small dent?

If repair cost is less than or close to your excess, paying privately often makes more financial sense. Get a repair quote first.

How long do I have to report an accident to my insurer?

Check your policy — most require prompt reporting, typically within 24 hours of the incident or as soon as reasonably practicable.

For more guidance on what to do after any incident, read our full guide on what to do after a car accident.

How Rooster can help

Dealing with the aftermath of a damaged car is stressful enough without having to navigate a complicated claims process on your own. Rooster’s Accident Assist service is there to take the pressure off — helping you work out the best next step, whether that’s making a claim or handling it privately, and guiding you through the process from start to finish. And if you’re due for renewal, it’s a good moment to make sure your cover is right for you. Get a quote with Rooster today.