What to do after a parked car accident

We outline what steps to take if someone hits your parked car, and what to do if you’re the driver at fault. 

Sometimes it’s a simple case of misjudging distance. Sometimes there’s a little more involved. But whether your car has been side-swiped, reversed into, or hit from the front, the steps to take are the same. 

If you see the driver

• Exchange details: ideally, the driver will stop and exchange details with you, including their name, residential address, licence number, and insurance provider. If they’re unwilling to, do your best to capture the make and model of their vehicle and take note of their registration plate. 
• Document the damage: take photos and/or videos from different angles, doing your best to capture all details of the scene and the damage done to both vehicles.  
• Work out whether your car is safe to drive: if the damage is limited to a dent or scratch, you’re probably good to go, but if it’s a lot bigger than that, there might be internal issues with the car. Don't drive your car if:
  • your lights or brakes aren't working
  • it's difficult to get in or out of the car
  • there is significant damage to the bodywork
  • you can see leaking fluids or signs of engine damage. 

If in doubt, don’t drive. You can arrange for it to be towed by calling your insurance company.

If the driver is nowhere to be seen

You’ll still need to document the damage and determine the safety of your vehicle. 

If you have dashcam footage that captures the driver, their car, and their rego, this may assist with your claim assessment and authorities with their investigation.   

If you’re unable to provide a name and address of the at-fault party, you can still make a claim, but you’ll need to pay your applicable excess (in accordance with your policy).  

If the driver left a note

With any luck, the person who hit your car turns out to be a kind Samaritan who left the scene but owned up to their mistake. Ideally, they’ll have left behind truthful details for you to be able to follow up on with your insurance company. Sadly, not all people are this honest — but we can hope!

It’s not ideal, but accidents happen. Even drivers with years of experience can make a mistake. Take a deep breath and follow these steps.

If the driver is present

• Provide the other driver with your name, licence number, and insurance provider.
• Take note of the time, date and location of the accident.
• Document the damage to both vehicles from various angles by taking photos and videos.
• Let your insurance company know about the accident as soon as possible.

If you can’t locate the driver

The only difference here is that instead of exchanging details face to face, you leave the other driver a note that includes the same information (and perhaps a mobile number for a follow-up call). All other steps remain the same. 

For steps on how to make a claim, what to expect once you start your claim, and frequently asked questions, head to car insurance claims.

All content on the NRMA Insurance Blog is intended to be general in nature and does not constitute and is not intended to be professional advice.