Does someone hitting my car affect auto insurance rates?

“Someone hit my parked car, will my insurance go up?” is a question many drivers have. Owning and operating a motor vehicle always comes with a risk of damage due to an accident. No matter how carefully you drive, there are always careless people. These drivers may cause an accident that involves you and your car.

This is the purpose of insurance. If the accident is your fault, your policy covers the damage, but your insurance rates will go up. In the case of the other driver causing the crash, their insurance pays, and your rates should remain the same. 

However, if a hit-and-run driver strikes your parked vehicle, you may see your auto insurance rates go up. Keep reading to learn when your auto insurance rates go up after an accident. Read on to find out whether your insurance will increase if someone hits your car.

Read more: Hitting a Parked Car, Auto Insurance Implications

If someone hits my parked car, will my insurance go up?

If someone hits your parked car, your insurance rates may increase if you file a claim. But the best auto insurance companies with solid reputations will work with you to avoid higher rates. 

They will run an investigation to determine if your car was actually hit by a driver who fled the scene and pays for damages minus your deductible. This is a good reason to compare auto insurance companies before buying a policy.

What to do if someone hits my parked car?

If you find damage to your car after parking it on the street or in a parking lot, you will naturally want your car fixed without having to pay the repair costs yourself. There are several ways this situation could play out:

• The driver left a note. Sometimes, the person responsible for the damage will leave a note. If the other driver is willing to accept responsibility, they usually have adequate insurance coverage. In that case, their insurance will pay, and you don’t have to file a claim with yours.
• The driver did not leave a note, but you are able to track them down. Perhaps a witness got a license plate, or the police are able to find the responsible party. If that driver has insurance, it will cover the damage. If not, you must use your uninsured motorist coverage, which will raise your rates.
• The driver did not leave a note, and you can’t find them. So your only options are to pay out of pocket or file a claim on your collision insurance.

The impact on your insurance rates will vary depending in part on whether the other driver takes responsibility or you can prove that driver is at fault.

What kind of auto insurance do I need if my car is hit?

Every state has laws that mandate the minimum car insurance coverage you need. However, the basic liability minimum in your state will only pay for damages sustained by other drivers in the event of an at-fault accident. It will not cover your injuries or property damage.

Full coverage car insurance will pay for damages caused by an accident. In addition, most loan providers require that you have full coverage insurance to finance a car.  It includes collision and comprehensive coverage, which will also pay for damages after a natural disaster, theft, or vandalism. However, your insurance rates may increase if you file a claim after someone hits your car. 

Do I need additional coverage?

You can buy an additional form of coverage that will help you protect yourself against uninsured motorists — uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) will pay when your car is hit by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver.

For example, the person who hit your parked car might leave contact information, or you are able to track them down. However, they may not be insured or have the means to pay for your damage.

Uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage will cover your costs in this case. This is good coverage to carry, and some states require this kind of auto insurance coverage for all drivers. There are three basic types of UIM insurance:

• Underinsured Motorist Protection. If the driver who hit your car has insurance, but the limits do not allow it to fully pay for the damage they cause, your protection will pick up the difference.
• Uninsured Motorist Insurance. There is also the possibility that the driver who hit you has no insurance. This could leave you with very costly repairs that you would have to pay out of pocket. Uninsured motorist coverage will take care of the cost of the damage.
• Uninsured Motorist Property Damage. This coverage protects you if a driver hits your car and pushes it into another vehicle, building, or other property, causing damage to that property. If the driver has no coverage, the third parties may come after you.

If an uninsured driver hits your car and you file a UIM claim, your insurance will go up. However, you can maintain low auto insurance rates by paying your policy in full and bundling auto and home policies with the same company.

Auto Insurance After an Accident: What You Need to Know

Accidents can happen even when you’re not behind the wheel, and there is always the potential for a hit-and-run collision when your car is left parked in a public area. Carrying the right car insurance can stop your rates from going up after someone hits your car. 

Shop around for full coverage auto insurance with collision, comprehensive, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to pay for damages in the event your car is hit. A good insurance company will not raise your rates for an accident that was not your fault, so compare auto insurance quotes from at least three different companies before you buy.