Finding a dent, scrape, or smashed bumper on your parked car is incredibly frustrating.
You weren't even in the vehicle, you were likely inside a store or asleep at home, so why should you have to deal with the insurance headache?
When someone hits your parked car, the steps you take in the first 24 hours can make a huge difference in how the claim is handled and who ends up paying for it.
What If They Left a Note?
If the other driver did the right thing and left their contact and insurance information, the process is usually much smoother.
In many provinces, such as Ontario with its Direct Compensation Property Damage (DCPD) system, your own insurance company pays for the damage even when the other driver is at fault. Because the at-fault driver is identified, you generally will not have to pay your deductible.
More importantly, because you are considered 100% not at fault, filing this type of claim typically will not cause your insurance rates to go up.
What If It’s a Hit and Run?
Unfortunately, people don't always leave a note. If you come back to your car and the other driver has vanished without leaving any information, that is legally classified as a hit and run.
In most Canadian provinces, how this is covered depends entirely on the coverage you have on your policy.
If you carry Collision coverage, your insurer typically covers the repairs in many situations. However, because the other driver is unidentified and their insurance cannot be billed, you will almost always have to pay your deductible out of pocket.
Will This Increase My Insurance Premium?
One of the biggest worries drivers have is whether filing a claim for a parked car accident will make their car insurance more expensive.
Generally speaking, if you are completely not at fault—and especially if the other driver is identified—your base rates should not increase.
However, if it's a hit and run and you are forced to use your Collision coverage, some insurers may treat it as a claim that impacts your "claims-free" discount. You aren't being penalized for an at-fault accident, but losing a clean-record discount can still make your next renewal feel more expensive.
The Part Most People Miss
A lot of people assume that because their car was parked, the insurance company will simply write a blank check for the repairs no matter what.
But insurers still assess the damage carefully. If the damage is extensive and your car is an older model, they might decide it costs more to repair than the vehicle is actually worth.
In that case, they could declare the vehicle a total loss.
If that happens, they will offer you a payout based on the Actual Cash Value (ACV) of the vehicle. This is often lower than what drivers expect because it accounts for standard depreciation.
If you’re worried about that possibility, it is always a good idea to understand what your vehicle is actually worth in the current market before the appraiser calls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, especially if the other driver fled the scene. A hit and run is a crime. Even if the damage seems minor, you should report it to a collision reporting centre or the police within 24 hours. Your insurer typically requires a police report number to process a hit and run claim.
It depends on the repair cost and your deductible. If the damage is a $600 bumper scrape and you have a $1,000 deductible, filing a claim won't help you because the repair costs less than the deductible. If the damage is significant, it usually makes sense to use your insurance.