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Car Hit Whilst Parked - What To Do And How TO Claim If Your Vehicle Is damaged When Parked
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Car Accident Claims
Parked Car Accident? At The Side Of The Road Or In A Car Park, Know Your Rights And Ways To Claim
Parked Car Accidents
Car park accidents are relatively common, whist statistics can vary each year overall trends that Car park accidents account for a significant portion of low-speed collisions and minor accidents. It is estimated that around 20% of all vehicle accidents occur in car parks. According to research by insurance companies, there are typically around 1,000 car park accidents reported each day in the UK. This amounts to an approximately 365,000 accidents annually. Establishing who is at fault in and parked car accident and understanding you options of how to process your losses claim resulting from a parked car accident is essential.
Parked Vehicle Insurance Claims:
If your car has been involved in an accident or damaged by a third party whilst it was parked at the side of the road, or in a car park, knowing your rights and ways to claim can save you time and money. I your vehicle was parked correctly at the time then you will usually be considered to be the non-fault party. As a result, the negligent party will be liable to cover all reasonable cost you may incur as a direct result of the accident or incident. It could be a simple driver error of the at fault driver or mishap of some form which resulted in your vehicle being damaged, either way, if the negligent party can be traced then you should be able to recover your losses directly via their insurers. This page will explain in detail what to do and your options of how to claim when you discover your vehicle has been damaged when it was parked.
What To Do When You Discover Your Vehicle Has Been Damaged When Parked
If your car has been hit and damaged while parked, here’s what you should do next:
Check for a Note: Look for a note left driver or person who damaged your car. You will need to obtain their contact details, insurance information, and if it was an impact from their vehicle which damaged your vehicle take note of their vehicle registration plate number and take pictures of both of your vehicle and the corresponding damage sustained on both vehicles.
Collect Evidence:
- Take Photos And Videos: Document the damage to your car, the negligent parties vehicle and the surrounding area.
- Witnesses: If there are any witnesses, get their contact details and ask if they will provide witness statements.
- CCTV, Door Bell and Dash Cam Footage: Check for any nearby CCTV or camera devises that may have captured the incident.
Report to the Police: If the other driver or negligent party did not leave a note or any contact information, report the incident to the police immediately . This can often be done online or by visiting the local police station. Ensure you get a crime reference number.
- Decide Upon Your Best Route To Claim Your Losses.
If your parked vehicle has been damaged and you have details of the liable party then you have 3 options to process your claim. You can claim directly against the negligent parties insurance company, ACC can assist you with this if require. We provide a direct claim route, your vehicle loss / damage is assessed and agreed upon with you, then this will be claimed for directly from the negligent parties insurance company. You get to agree any vehicle write off values or get to select a repair garage of your choosing. We always suggest divers consider manufacturer approved repair centres but it remains your choice. We also can arrange an immediate temporary vehicle for your use whilst your vehicle is off the road to the accident damage or during the repair period. The negligent parties insurers will cover the cost of these services.
An alternative option may be to contact the negligent parties insurers directly yourself, many insurers have third party intervention team who will be happy to assist you with your claim and often offer a great level of service.
Finally, you may wish to claim via your car insurance policy, simply contact your insurers and give them all the information you have gathered in relation to accident and they will process your vehicle claim from there.
Regardless of your chosen claims route, most loss claims take around 2 weeks to get processed depending upon vehicle repair periods.
Requirement To Notify Your Insurance Company If Your Vehicle Is Damaged When Parked:
Often you will be required to inform your insurer about any incident as soon as possible, even if you don’t plan to make a claim. Consult your vehicle insurance policy for clarification of your responsibility to report incidents and accidents, should it be that you’re required to do so under the terms of your policy, provide them with all the information and evidence you’ve gathered.
Vehicle Repairs After A Parked Car Accident:
Obtain quotes for repairing the damage or if using our services we will arrange for a vehicle engineer to inspect your vehicle and produce a report detailing the damage and a full costing for its repair. If claiming via your insurance company of that of the negligent party they might request you to obtain 2 vehcle repair quotes from repair garage, or they may often recommend a garage to take your vehicle to for assessment. Remember, you should always be able to choose a repair garage yourself.
If You Contact the Other Driver’s Insurance:
If the driver left their details, you may wish to contact their insurance company to arrange for the repair costs to be covered. Most insurers offer a service directly to the non fault party and will often be happy to arrange all services required, from vehicle repair authority to the provision of a courtesy or temporary hire vehicle whilst your vehicle is off the road. They will also assist with other losses you may have sustained as a result of the vehicle damage of loss of its use.
Take Legal Advice:
If there are any complications, consider seeking legal advice to understand your rights, options and next steps you may need to take.
Taking these steps will help ensure you handle the situation properly and efficiently. If anything appears incorrect, you may wish to contact your insurers, any legal services you may have access to via your policy, or alternatively, you may wish to contact an appropriately specialist solicitor. UK citizens advice maybe able to assist further and offer guidance.
We provide an alternative vehicle claims route to your insurance company when your vehicle has been damaged whilst parked.
The advantage of claiming with an independent car accident claims service:
- No Excess To Pay
- Full Control Of Your Vehicle Claim
- You Select The Repair Centre
- You Agree Write Off Values
- Parked Vehicle Claims Specialists
- Single Point Of Contact
- Courtesy Cars / Courtesy Hire Cars
Obtaining CCTV Evidence After A Parked Car Or Car Park Accident
In the UK, the use of CCTV footage is regulated by various laws to ensure privacy and the correct handling of data. Here are the key points regarding CCTV footage laws which will apply if your vehicle has been damaged whilst parked and you wish to obtain the camera evidence of the incident:
Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR Governing Car Parks And Streets
The Data Protection Act 2018, which incorporates the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), governs how personal data, including CCTV footage, is handled. As such, there should be clear procedure in place with the company holding the CCTV date. Clear signs should be displayed around any car park to inform people that CCTV is in operation, who is operating it, and how to contact the operator. Individuals have the right to access footage and will be required make a Subject Access Request (SAR) to obtain relevant footage of your vehicle. Footage is only be kept for as long as necessary then securely deleted, so it should be request as soon as possible to avoid loss of evidence which may support your vehicle damage claim or clarify the causation of your parked vehicles damage.
There is a surveillance camera code of practice (link UK.Gov web page detailing the Surveillance Camera Code Of Practice) which will give full details of your rights and the procedures to follow when requesting the footage of your parked car accident. Should you experience any issues when requesting the footage required the the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) oversees data protection compliance and can provide guidance and enforcement relating to your request.
Getting Access to CCTV Footage Of Your Parked Car Accident
Follow these steps:
- Identify the Operator: Determine who owns and operates the CCTV system covering your parked vehicle.
- Submit a Request: Make a Subject Access Request (SAR) to the operator, specifying the footage you wish to access, give times, dates and your vehicle details together with an explanation of why you require access to the footage.
- Response Time: The operator must respond within one month of your request.
Private CCTV: Operated by businesses, landlords, homeowners for security purposes. Private CCTV and camera systems have become common place in our modern world. Many houses have private CCTV, doorbell cameras, and private vehicles often have dashcams fitted. This gives you multiple options to obtain footage any incident resulting in your vehicle being damage whilst parked. It is often overlooked, but operators of these camera systems must still comply with data protection laws.
Parked Car Accidents And Insurance Claims Service
Whilst many insurance companies may offer great vehicle claims and courtesy hire car services, an equal amount do not. Their customers often experience long call waiting times, unhelpful and uninformed call centre staff, and what is right for the insurance company is not always right for you.
If you are not happy with the vehicle claim service offered by an insurer or simply wish to claim directly from the at-fault insurer we are ready to help.
Why We May Be A Better Solution
We offer an alternative option to your insurance company for your parked vehicle accident damage claim and courtesy car provision after the accident. With our customer-focused vehicle claims service, we appoint an individual vehicle damage claim handler to process your vehicle claim to its swift conclusion. This means you have a single point of contact throughout the entire process, they will ensure the claim is processed quickly and efficiently whilst keeping you fully updated with the vehicle claims progress.
The key difference with our service is simple, we act upon your instruction and in your best interest, not the instruction of an insurance company. Customers agree vehicle valuations and the option of repair centre is entirely their choice. With this simple policy, we ensure that all our customers receive efficient accessible customer service throughout the entire vehicle claim process and through to its swift conclusion.
Car Park Accident: Who Is At Fault?
Determining who is at fault in a car park accident in the UK can be challenging due to the often chaotic and tight spaces. Here’s how to establish liability:
1. Identify the Type of Accident:
- Rear-End Collisions: Typically, the driver who rear-ends another vehicle is at fault. However, if the front vehicle reversed suddenly, liability may shift.
- Parking Bay Incidents: If two vehicles collide while both are reversing into or out of parking bays, both drivers may share responsibility.
- Turning Accidents: If a vehicle hits another while turning, the turning driver is usually at fault.
2. Gather Evidence:
- Photographs: Take clear pictures of the damage, the position of the vehicles, and the car park layout.
- Witness Statements: Collect contact details and statements from any witnesses.
- CCTV Footage: Request footage from the car park operator to provide a clear view of the incident.
3. Consider Road Markings and Signs:
- Give Way Signs: If a driver ignores a give way sign or road markings, they are likely at fault.
- Right of Way: Vehicles already in motion generally have the right of way over those exiting parking bays.
4. Contact Insurance Providers:
- Report the accident to your insurance company with all the evidence you’ve gathered to help establish liability.
By carefully documenting the incident and understanding common causes of car park accidents, you can more effectively determine fault and proceed with your claim.
Vehicle Accident Damage Claims At No Cost To You Or Your Insurance
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Car Accident?
Vehicle Claim Questions
How To Claim After A Non-Fault Car Accident
Claiming after a non-fault car accident is a simple process. Each loss you incur is a separate head of claim, for example, vehicle damage, property damage, loss of earning or business, compensation for personal damages to name a few.
Each head of claim is assessed and the quantified loss is recovered from the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
How We Can Help
We provide an alternative route to claim your vehicle damage or vehicle write off value only rather than using your insurance company. We offer a simple one-call service to report and register your vehicle damage claim. Being independent we act in your best interest throughout the vehicle claim process.
What to do next?
Call our 24-hour vehicle damage claim helpline and a member of the team will explain the vehicle claim process, answer your questions and arrange all services required.
Call us on: 0800 860 0171.
Claim Your Losses After A Non-Fault Car Accident
You can claim for a temporary replacement hire vehicle, property damage, or any financial loss you may have incurred as a direct result of the accident.
You can also claim for personal damages via a solicitor or a suitable legal expenses product you may have. However often a solicitor is provided by your own insurance company and this can be the most cost-effective way to claim dependent upon your policy type. Always make your investigations to discover your options and find the most cost-effective and expert service available to you.
Once liability is accepted by the at-fault driver’s insurance company claims for vehicle damage will usually be settled within 7 to 14 days.
Repairable Vehicle Claims
Vehicle repair authority is usually given within a 2- 7 day time frame following your vehicles engineers inspection report.
Write Off Vehicle Claims
Write off values are usually paid out within 7 to 14 days from your acceptance of your vehicle write off value.
There is no policy excess required as the claim is presented directly to the negligent drivers insurers.
The vehicle loss / Vehicle repair claim together with the cost of the any temporary vehicle is also claimed from the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
Write Off Value Claims
Vehicles should be valued correctly to establish their current market value. When claiming for a vehicle after a non-fault accident you are entitled to claim the market value for a vehicle. However, if the vehicle is brand new the original cost can be recovered.
For vehicles that are not brand new, you are entitled to claim back their current market value at the point of loss. Market value is somewhere between retail and trade value. It’s often described as what you might find the equivalent vehicles market value for a private sale example.
Accurate Valuation
To value a vehicle correctly multiple examples of the equivalent vehicle will be found as market examples. A vehicle engineer will also inspect your vehicle, taking into account the vehicles age, mileage, pre-accident condition and service history to assess the condition. The vehicle model and its build specification are also considered valuation.
All these factors are then combined and discussed with the vehicle owner to enable a final agreed valuation.
A simple book value is more often simply not applicable given the wide variation in single-vehicle model specification. Cars highly personalised with the almost endless optional extras vehicles can be ordered with. When combined with the varied approach different individuals take to vehicle maintenance and car care book valuations are often not accurate.
Car Accident?
Vehicle Claim Questions
How To Claim After A Non-Fault Car Accident
Claiming after a non-fault car accident is a simple process. Each loss you incur is a separate head of claim, for example, vehicle damage, property damage, loss of earning or business, compensation for personal damages to name a few.
Each head of a claim is assessed and the quantified loss is recovered from the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
How We Can Help
We provide an alternative route to claim your vehicle damage or vehicle write off value rather than using your insurance company. We offer a simple one-call service to report and register your vehicle damage claim. Being independent we act in your best interest throughout the vehicle claim process.
What to do next?
Call our 24-hour vehicle claim helpline and a member of the team will explain the claim process, answer your questions and arrange all services required.
Call us on: 0800 860 0171.
Claim Your Losses After A Non-Fault Car Accident
You can claim for a temporary replacement hire vehicle, property damage, or any financial loss you may have incurred as a direct result of the accident.
You can also claim for personal damages via a solicitor or a suitable legal expenses product you may have. However often a solicitor is provided by your own insurance company and this can be the most cost-effective way to claim dependent upon your policy type. Always make your investigations to discover your options and find the most cost-effective and expert service available to you.
Once liability is accepted by the at-fault driver’s insurance company claims for vehicle damage will usually be settled within 7 to 14 days.
Repairable Vehicle Claims
Vehicle repair authority is usually given within a 2- 7 day time frame following your vehicles engineers inspection report.
Write Off Vehicle Claims
Write off values are usually paid out within 7 to 14 days from your acceptance of your vehicle write off value.
There is no cost to pay or policy excess required.
The vehicle claim service is paid for by the at-fault drivers insurance company.
Write Off Value Claims
Vehicles should be valued correctly to establish their current market value. When claiming for a vehicle after a non-fault accident you are entitled to claim the market value for a vehicle. However, if the vehicle is brand new the original cost can be recovered.
For vehicles that are not brand new, you are entitled to claim back their current market value at the point of loss. Market value is somewhere between retail and trade value. It’s often described as what you might find the equivalent vehicle market for as private sale.
Accurate Valuation
To value a vehicle correctly multiple examples of the equivalent vehicle will be found as market examples. A vehicle engineer will also inspect your vehicle, taking into account the vehicles age, mileage, pre-accident condition and service history to assess the condition. The vehicle model and its build specification are also considered valuation.
All these factors are then combined and discussed with the vehicle owner to enable a final agreed valuation.
A simple book value is more often simply not applicable given the wide variation in single-vehicle model specification. Cars highly personalised with the almost endless optional extras vehicles can be ordered with. When combined with the varied approach different individuals take to vehicle maintenance and car care book valuations are often not accurate.
