Does hitting a parked car affect car insurance rates?

You've hit a parked car. So will hitting a parked car increase car insurance rates? That depends on the circumstances; if it’s your first accident, you may be able to secure accident forgiveness.

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Sara Routhier

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Sara Routhier, Senior Director of Content, has professional experience as an educator, SEO specialist, and content marketer. She has over 10 years of experience in the insurance industry. As a researcher, data nerd, writer, and editor, she strives to curate educational, enlightening articles that provide you with the must-know facts and best-kept secrets within the overwhelming world of insurance....

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Tracey L. Wells

Licensed Insurance Agent & Agency Owner

Tracey L. Wells is a licensed insurance agent and Farmers insurance agency owner with 23 years of experience. He is proud to be a local Farmers agent serving Grayson, Georgia and surrounding areas. With experience as both an underwriter and agent, he provides his customers with insight that others agents may not have. His agency offers all lines of insurance including home, life, auto, RV, busi...

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Tracey L. Wells

Updated October 2024

Accidents happen, and we all want our insurance costs to stay as low as possible. Understanding car accidents and finding out more about how hitting a parked car with your vehicle could affect your insurance rates. 

will a criminal record affect auto insurance rates

Here's what you need to know...

  • If you hit a parked car, you should leave your contact info for the vehicle owner to get in touch with you
  • You may be eligible for accident forgiveness if you have a clean driving record and no prior claims
  • Your insurance rates can increase significantly if you are responsible for more than one accident within a two-year period

The Impact of Parking Accidents on Your Insurance Rates

If someone hit my parked car, will my insurance go up? This is a common concern for many drivers. If your car was hit while parked whether insurance will depends on several factors, including your insurance policy and the at-fault party’s coverage.

Generally, parked car insurance claims may lead to a rate increase, especially if your insurer cannot recover the costs from the at-fault driver’s insurance. If you live in Minnesota and experience a hit-and-run on your parked car, the outcome might be different.

Similarly, in Massachusetts, a hit-and-run involving a parked car can complicate the claim process, potentially affecting your premiums.

Another frequent question is, how much will my insurance go up after scratching someone’s car? Minor accidents, such as accidentally hitting a parked car with no damage, might not significantly affect your rates if you report them promptly.

However, if you have multiple claims or are found at fault in a collision, your rates could increase more substantially. For example, if you rear-ended someone, how much will my insurance go up? The increase will vary based on the severity of the accident and your previous driving record.

In states like Michigan, if someone hit your parked car, specific state laws and insurance regulations will influence whether your rates rise and by how much. Always consult with your provider, like State Farm, to determine if your insurance will go up after a parked car accident.

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If I hit a parked car will my insurance go up?

The first logical thing to question after you are in a vehicle accident is whether or not your rates will increase. Depending on how many at-fault accidents you have on your record, there is a chance your premium may remain the same. In other words, if this is your first offense, you may be off the hook. 

There are two possible outcomes, and we’ve gone into more detail on them below.

You Receive Accident Forgiveness

Many car insurance companies offer accident forgiveness if it is the first time you are responsible for an accident. In this case, your rates will remain the same, even after you report the accident.

You Are Deemed a Risky Driver

If you already have a few at-fault accidents on your driving record, your insurance rates will likely increase after the parked car incident. Anything that qualifies you as a high-risk driver will increase your rates, even if you did not make a claim for the damages. 

Your driving record is what insurance companies review when assessing your insurance package. Insurance companies receive updates on your driving record much quicker than in the past so keep this in mind.

What do I do if I hit a parked car?

Accidents happen to even the best drivers and we all need to be protected. After all, that’s what car insurance is for.

If you happen to hit a parked car, the right thing to do is get out and check for damages. If you notice damage to the other vehicle, leave a note with your contact information so that person can reach you if they file a claim. Their insurance may cover the damages, but if it doesn’t, yours may, and it would be the right thing to do.

In a no-fault insurance state, each owner is responsible for their own damages. In other states, the person at fault may be liable.

Read more:

What if people were in the parked car?

If you hit a parked car that had people sitting inside of it, this becomes a different story. If any of the people report injuries due to the crash, this can result in higher insurance rates for you and is quickly noted on your driving record. In the event that people are in the car you have hit, do not drive off. You must report the incident. In most states, it is illegal to drive off in such a situation. 

If you are found to have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash, whether people are inside the vehicle or not, you may end up with higher rates. A police report must be filed, and you will likely face legal consequences for driving under the influence. 

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Accident Forgiveness is a One-Time Option

If you receive accident forgiveness from your car insurance, it means you will not pay more for your car insurance premium due to an accident or claim. However, if you happen to have another accident within a 12 or 24-month period, your rates may increase more than expected. 

This is because the insurance provider will take your past accident into consideration when assessing the damages of the subsequent accident. Car insurance claims remain on your record, and even a new insurance provider can easily access that information.

Will hitting a parked car increase car insurance rates for me?

If you hit a parked car, your insurance won’t necessarily increase, but there are a few other factors that come into play. If you have a clean driving record and there were no injuries, you may be able to maintain your current rates.

Be sure to keep your driving record as clean as possible over the following one to two years to ensure your rates won’t increase. If you are responsible for hitting a parked car, it’s a good idea to do the right thing and report it. If you are caught escaping the scene of a hit and run, your insurance rates will certainly increase, and you may also face legal consequences.

Insurance After a Parking Lot Accident

Accidents in parking lots can be stressful, especially if you’ve accidentally hit a parked car and left the scene. One common concern is, how much does insurance go up on a hit parked car incident? It’s important to understand that insurance companies take hit-and-run claims seriously.

For instance, hit-and-run on a parked car with Progressive policies might lead to significant premium increases. The exact amount varies based on several factors, including your driving history and the extent of the damage.

If you backed into a car, you might be worried about the repercussions on your insurance rates. A common question is, will my insurance go up if I hit a car? Generally, any at-fault accident, including hitting a parked car, can raise your premiums.

Specifically, how much does insurance go up on a hit parked car scenarios depends on your insurer’s policies. If the incident is reported as a hit-and-run, the increase might be more significant. Therefore, it’s crucial to understand whether a hit-and-run claim will raise your insurance before deciding how to handle such situations.

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Navigating Insurance After a Parked Car Accident

When your car is hit while parked, will insurance go up? The answer depends on your insurance policy and whether the other driver is identified. A hit-and-run involving your parked car can lead to complications, often resulting in an insurance increase if the at-fault party is not found.

If you accidentally scratched someone’s car and left, it could be considered a hit-and-run, leading to significant penalties and potential rate hikes. Knowing how much insurance increases after an accident can help you prepare for the financial impact.

Generally, accidents can lead to a substantial premium increase, especially in cases of hit-and-run incidents. Understanding the parked car insurance cost is essential for drivers, especially in states like Florida, where the parked car insurance cost in Florida may vary based on location and risk factors.

If your car was hit while parked on the street, documenting the incident and reporting it to your insurer is crucial. Companies like AAA offer accident forgiveness, which can help prevent rate increases after your first at-fault accident.

For assistance with claims, having the Geico’s claims phone number or knowing the Geico claim phone number can expedite the process. Whether you hit a parked car and left or unknowingly hit a parked car, addressing the situation promptly and understanding your coverage can mitigate long-term costs.

Managing Insurance Claims and Rate Increases After a Parked Car Accident

Dealing with a hit-and-run on a parked car with State Farm insurance situation can be daunting, especially if the incident occurs in states like Oregon, where a hit-and-run involving a parked car in Oregon is treated seriously. If you find that someone hit your parked car and left, determining whose insurance to call can be confusing.

Typically, you should report the incident to your insurance company, whether it’s Geico, Progressive, or any other provider, and provide all necessary details. If you’re with Geico, the If you’re with Geico, the insurance claims process is straightforward and can be initiated through their website or by calling their claims department.

In case of minor incidents, some insurers offer accident forgiveness; for instance, Metromile accident forgiveness or accident forgiveness from AAA can help prevent your rates from skyrocketing after your first accident.

When dealing with incidents like backing into a parked car or realizing you backed into a car, understanding the potential impact on your insurance premiums is crucial. Many factors, including the specifics of your policy and whether you have accident forgiveness, will determine if your insurance rates will go up.

For instance, State Farm rate increase  adjustments might influence your premiums if you have a recent claim. It’s also useful to know the auto insurance rate increases by state to gauge how regional trends might affect your rates.

If you’re covered by Geico, checking their specific policies, like parked car insurance, can provide additional insights. For parallel parking incidents, parallel parking accident forgiveness from Liberty Mutual may apply, as seen in their commercials.

Always stay informed about your provider’s policies to effectively manage and mitigate potential rate increases after an accident.

Case Studies: Impact of Hitting a Parked Car on Insurance Rates

Case Study 1: Accident Forgiveness

John is a cautious driver with a clean driving record. Unfortunately, he accidentally hits a parked car while trying to park his own vehicle. Since this is his first accident, John’s insurance company offers him accident forgiveness. As a result, his insurance rates remain the same even after reporting the accident.

Case Study 2: Multiple At-Fault Accidents

Emily has a history of at-fault accidents on her driving record. One day, she hits a parked car, adding another incident to her record. Due to her previous accidents, Emily’s insurance rates increase, despite not making a claim for the damages caused by hitting the parked car.

Case Study 3: Hit and Run

Mike hits a parked car and decides to drive off without leaving any contact information. Unfortunately, he is caught by a witness who reports the incident to the authorities. In addition to facing legal consequences for the hit and run, Mike’s insurance rates increase significantly.

Case Study 4: Injury and Under the Influence

Sarah collides with a parked car that has people sitting inside. The occupants of the parked car report injuries as a result of the crash. Sarah’s insurance rates increase after causing the crash, and if under the influence, rates go higher, along with legal consequences for DUI.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do if I hit a parked car?

If you hit a parked car, it’s important to take the following steps:

  1. Get out of your vehicle and check for damages.
  2. If you notice damage to the other vehicle, leave a note with your contact information so the owner can reach you if they need to file a claim.
  3. In a no-fault insurance state, each owner is responsible for their own damages. In other states, the person at fault may be liable.

What if people were in the parked car?

If there were people inside the parked car you hit, the situation becomes more serious. If any of the occupants report injuries, it can result in higher insurance rates for you, and this information will be noted on your driving record. In such a case, it is illegal to drive off, and you must report the incident.

Is accident forgiveness a one-time option?

Accident forgiveness is a benefit offered by some car insurance companies. It means that if you have an accident or file a claim, your rates will not increase. However, this forgiveness is often a one-time option, and if you have another accident within a specific period (usually 12 to 24 months), your rates may increase more than expected.

Will my insurance go up if I hit a parked car?

Yes, your insurance will likely go up if you hit a parked car.

How much will my insurance go up if I hit a parked car?

The increase varies, but it can be significant depending on your insurer.

If my car is hit while parked, will my insurance go up?

It may go up if the at-fault driver is not found or covered.

How much will my insurance go up with an at-fault accident?

It can increase significantly, often by several hundred dollars annually.

Will a hit-and-run claim raise my insurance?

Yes, a hit-and-run claim will typically raise your insurance.

How much does parked car insurance cost?

The cost depends on your coverage and location but is generally part of your comprehensive policy.

What to do if you hit a parked car but no damage?

You should still report it to the owner or leave a note with your contact information.

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