As a driver, you might constantly find yourself parking in busy lots, whether it is the grocery store, picking up your kids from school, or exiting the mall. If you notice that someone has put a sizable dent on your vehicle, but there is no note and no witnesses, you may not know how to proceed. There are several steps you can take to get to the bottom of the accident before contacting your insurance company to potentially pay for collision repair. Below, learn what steps to take if someone hits your parked car.
3 Steps to Handle a Parking Lot Hit-and-Run
1. File a Police Report
When someone leaves the scene of a crime, regardless of how much the damage may or may not cost, it’s still an offense to hit someone’s car and not leave a note. Regardless if you file a police report independent of your car insurance provider, you’ll need to file one anyway once you contact insurance and make a claim.
2. Look for Cameras
Cameras are in most parking lots, including schools and malls. They likely captured the accident, so ask for a copy of the tape and check the footage. Surveillance cameras in parking lots work similarly to speed cameras where they zoom into a license plate during movement. A license plate number is all you need to locate the person when you file a report.
3. File a Claim
If you’ve managed to find the person who hit your car, file a claim against their insurance company. Be sure to take ample pictures of the damage and send a copy of the camera footage to make your claim stronger. Give the insurance company pertinent details such as driver’s license, insurance information, vehicle type, and the person name. If you win the case, most if not all of the damage will cover the cost of collision repair.
If you’re a victim of a hit-and-run and require collision repair, contact the professionals at Consolidated Bodyshop in Crossville, TN. These skilled mobile insurance specialists will take care of your claim on your behalf, so you worry less about the accident and more on repairing your car. Their lifetime warranties are given to all customers to guarantee your satisfaction. Call them today at (931) 456-4090 to book a consultation, or visit their website for more information about collision repairs.