You might hate to admit it, but it sometimes happens. You’re driving along and suddenly, you hit a parked car along the side of the road or in a parking lot. Will your car insurance cover the damage?
Most insurance policies treat situations like this as they would a moving accident – it’s still considered a
collision. The important question is not if it is a collision, but what type of coverage you have, which will determine the extent of the coverage and repairs that will be included in your insurance settlement.
If your policy provides basic liability, the damage to the other vehicle will be covered under that coverage. However,
without collision coverage, the damage to your own vehicle will not be covered. It is wise to review your
policy often and determine what coverages you have and make adjustments to ensure that you’re
covered in different situations. Without collision coverage, the costs for the repairs to your vehicle in
this situation will be your responsibility.
What if I Hit a Parked Car in a Parking Lot?
You see it all the time. Someone is backing out of a spot, another driver is coming through the aisle and they collide.
Florida is a no-fault state. That means that no matter who was at fault, you will need to report the incident and the damages to your insurance company for reimbursement. Parking lots are notorious places for car crashes – drivers are excessively distracted, there are other cars moving in the aisles, drivers are entering and exiting spaces, pedestrians are walking to and from their vehicles. Let’s face it, there is a lot going on. It’s wise to employ extra caution in parking lots, as there are numerous factors at play that can result in a collision when you’re navigating them.
Unfortunately, in parking lots, another scenario often plays out often – the hit-and-run. Drivers hit a parked
car, cause damage and leave without putting a note or claiming responsibility for the collision they have
caused.
Don’t be that driver. If you hit a parked car, be responsible and leave a note. The best thing to do is to make
the call to your insurance company, and wait to tell the owner of the other car if possible. If you consider how you
would feel and respond in a reverse situation, wouldn’t you want the other driver to do the same? It is
the right thing to do as a responsible driver.
What if I Hit a Parked Car in My Own Driveway?
You’re in a rush to get to work. You jump in the car, start it, put it in reverse and hit the gas pedal
and boom! You hit another family member’s car that you didn’t realize was parked behind you. As
unfortunate as this is, it does happen – and it means you will be paying for the damage to both vehicles.
You may also be responsible for meeting the deductible cost for each vehicle individually. Depending on
the amount of damage, you may want to talk to your agent about filing the claim for only one of your
vehicles. If the damage to one of the cars is not significant, you may save the deductible by not filing a claim.
Insurance is not something we tend to think about unless we need it. The bottom line is that a periodic review of your coverage policy with your agent may be a good idea. If you are unsure of your current coverage or you are looking to shop auto insurance costs, call the Sarasota and Bradenton insurance experts at Anderson & Associates Insurance Group. We are happy to help with any questions you may have.
