TL;DR: If you hit a parked car, do not drive away. Stop and remain at the scene. Attempt to find the owner of the vehicle; if you cannot, leave a note with your name and contact information, and report the incident to the police. Document the damage with photos and gather contact info from any witnesses. Finally, notify your auto insurance company about the accident as soon as possible. Leaving without doing these things can turn a minor parking lot mishap into a hit-and-run crime – in Illinois, for example, failing to leave your information after damaging an unattended vehicle is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a $2,500 fine. For help with the insurance process, you can call Insure on the Spot at 773-202-5060 for assistance.

Accidents with parked cars are fairly common. A study found 69% of hit-and-run crashes involve a parked car. Knowing what to do will protect you legally and financially. Follow these steps right after you hit a parked car:

Stay Calm and Don’t Leave the Scene 

Take a deep breath and stop your vehicle. Never flee; leaving the scene of even a minor collision is illegal and can result in fines, criminal charges, or license suspension. In fact, Illinois law requires drivers to stop and provide information after colliding with an unattended vehicle. If you drive off, the incident becomes a hit-and-run, which carries serious penalties (Class A misdemeanor in Illinois).

Try to Locate the Owner 

Look around for the owner of the parked car. If you’re in a store parking lot, you might go inside and ask customer service to make an announcement about the vehicle. Give it a reasonable amount of time. If the owner returns, apologize and exchange information calmly. Provide your name, phone number, driver’s license and insurance details, and a brief explanation of what happened. Be prepared that the owner may be upset; stay courteous and reassure them you will take responsibility.

Leave a Note with Your Information 

If you cannot find the owner after waiting, leave a clear note on the damaged vehicle before you leave the scene. Include: your name, address, phone number (and/or email), and a short explanation of the accident. It’s wise to mention you have insurance and will cooperate, but you can omit specific policy numbers on the note for privacy. Make sure the note is secure (e.g. under a windshield wiper) so it won’t blow away. Do not admit fault or blame in the note – stick to facts (“I accidentally scraped your rear bumper”) and avoid statements like “I wasn’t paying attention,” which could be seen as admitting negligence. Leaving a note (or giving your info in person) and notifying authorities fulfills your legal duty so you won’t be charged with hit-and-run.

Document the Scene

Use your phone to take photos of both cars and the surrounding area. Get close-ups of any damage on the other car and your car, as well as wide shots of the positions of the vehicles. If there were factors that contributed (tight parking space, icy pavement, obscured view, etc.), photograph those as well. Also, note the other car’s license plate in a photo or write it down. Detailed photos and notes will be very helpful later for insurance claims or any disputes about what damage you caused.

Look for Witnesses

Check around if anyone saw the accident. Nearby pedestrians, store employees, or other drivers might have observed the impact. If so, politely ask for their contact information and a short statement of what they saw. You can jot down their account or even use your phone to video record their statement (with permission). Eyewitnesses can support your version of events and are useful if the incident is later disputed. Also, see if the parking lot has security cameras; if a camera likely captured the incident, make a note of that or inform the property owner, in case the car owner or police need to obtain footage.

Call the Police (if required or for safety)

In many cases, it’s advisable to notify the police about the accident, especially if there is significant damage or you cannot locate the owner. Many state laws require a police report for accidents above a certain damage amount. Since it’s hard to estimate damage accurately on the spot, the safest approach is to call the local police non-emergency line and ask if an officer should come to document the accident. In Illinois, drivers are required by law to notify police after hitting an unattended vehicle. The police may come and create an official accident report, or direct you to file a report later (some jurisdictions let you file a report online for minor accidents). A police report is valuable documentation for insurance claims. When the officer arrives, give a truthful account of what happened. If the owner isn’t present, the police can record details and possibly help reach out to the owner via the vehicle registration. Even for a minor scrape, having an official report can protect you if the other party later exaggerates the damage or claims injuries.

Notify Your Insurance Company 

As soon as practically possible, report the incident to your auto insurance provider. It’s often a condition of your policy that you report any accident, even minor ones. Do this even if you think the other owner may not file a claim. The reason is that the other party has up to a few years to make a property damage claim against you, depending on the state’s statute of limitations. If you failed to tell your insurer and the other driver contacts them later, your insurer could refuse coverage due to late reporting. When you call, explain what happened (many insurers allow reporting via phone app or online as well). Provide the photos and police report number if available. Your liability insurance should cover the damage to the other car, up to your policy limits, and if you have collision coverage, you can claim the damage to your own vehicle (you’ll pay your deductible). 

Pro tip: Reporting an accident doesn’t automatically raise your rates – if the damage is minor and handled without a claim payout, your premium may not be affected. But if a claim is paid (your insurer paying for the other car’s repairs or yours), it will likely count as an at-fault accident on your record. Still, it’s better to involve your insurance and be transparent. They can guide you through next steps and ensure all proper documentation is in place.

Is It Illegal to Leave After Hitting a Parked Car?

The act of hitting a parked car accidentally is not a crime, but failing to stop and fulfill your legal duties is. Every state has laws requiring a driver who damages an unattended vehicle to make a good-faith effort to find the owner or leave their information. If you simply drive off, you violate these duties.

In Illinois, for example, the law (625 ILCS 5/11-404) explicitly says you must stop immediately, then locate the owner or leave a written notice with your name, address, and vehicle registration number, and promptly notify police. Failure to do so is a Class A misdemeanor. A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine in Illinois. Other states similarly treat leaving the scene of a property-damage accident as a misdemeanor (more severe if injuries are involved). Beyond criminal fines, a hit-and-run can also lead to a driver’s license suspension or revocation. For instance, Illinois will suspend your license for 12 months if the property damage from the crash exceeded $1,000 and you are convicted of leaving the scene.

Importantly, you’re very likely to get caught if you hit-and-run. Many parking areas are under surveillance cameras that can capture your license plate. Witnesses might note your plate or vehicle description and report you. The vehicle you hit could be traced by paint transfer or debris. Running away turns a minor accident into a criminal investigation. Police can track down the offender, and if you’re found later, the penalties can be harsher because you fled.

Do I Need to Call the Police If I Hit a Parked Car?

Laws vary by state, but if there’s significant damage, you should call the police to report the accident. Since it’s hard for a layperson to put a dollar amount on the damage, the safe approach is to notify local law enforcement for guidance. Explain that you hit a parked car and describe the damage; they will advise if an officer needs to come out. In a busy city, police may not dispatch for a minor fender-bender on private property, but you will at least have it on record that you attempted to report it.

Moreover, if you cannot identify or communicate with the other car’s owner (e.g. it’s unattended and you left a note), many jurisdictions require reporting the crash to the police within a certain time. Illinois law mandates that after leaving a note, you must notify the nearest police department “without unnecessary delay.” This means you should call as soon as you’ve secured the note on the other car. The police might file an incident report or give you instructions to file a report yourself (some departments have walk-in or online reporting for minor accidents).

Even if not explicitly required by statute for minor damage, having a police report is extremely helpful. The police report will document the facts (date, time, location, parties involved, apparent damage) which can be crucial evidence for insurance. If the other driver later claims additional damage or injury, the official report protects you by having recorded the scene. Insurance companies almost always ask if a police report was made, and providing one makes the claims process smoother.

There’s also a safety aspect: if the accident occurred in a high-traffic or unsafe area, an officer can provide assistance (e.g. with traffic control or verifying that the information exchange is handled properly). Additionally, involving police helps verify that you indeed tried to inform the owner, which could shield you from a hit-and-run allegation.

(One caveat: If the incident is truly negligible – e.g. you opened your door and tapped a parked car’s mirror with no scratch – some people might not involve police. Legally, however, any collision causing damage obligates you to leave info and possibly report.)

Will My Insurance Cover the Damage If I Hit a Parked Car?

In an accident where you hit a stationary car, you are considered at fault for the property damage. Your liability insurance (property damage liability) will cover the cost of repairing the other vehicle, up to your policy’s limit. For example, if you carry Illinois’s minimum $20,000 property damage liability coverage, your insurer will pay the other car’s repair costs (or total loss value) up to that amount. If the damage somehow exceeds your coverage limit, you would be personally responsible for the remainder, though such extreme damage is rare in a low-speed parking collision.

For your own vehicle, coverage depends on your policy. If you have collision coverage, you can file a claim to fix your car. Collision coverage is optional (unless required by a lender), but it covers repairs to your car when you’re at fault (minus your deductible). You’d pay your deductible and insurance would pay the rest. If you only carry liability (no collision), then your insurance will not pay for your car’s damages – you’d have to pay out of pocket for your own repairs. Some drivers in minor accidents opt to pay for the other car’s damage themselves without going through insurance, to avoid a claim record. This can be risky: if you don’t report it and later the other party files a claim or lawsuit, your insurer might refuse to cover it due to late notice. It’s usually better to involve your insurance and let them handle negotiations with the other driver or their insurer.

After you report the incident, an adjuster may assess the damage on both vehicles. Given that it’s a clear-cut scenario (parked car hit by you), typically your insurer will deem you at fault and cover the other party’s damages. Your insurance rates might increase at your next renewal because this counts as an at-fault accident on your record. Many insurers forgive a first minor accident, but some surcharge even small claims. The impact on premiums can vary – a minor claim might be a small bump in rates, whereas a major claim or multiple accidents can cause a bigger increase. However, simply reporting the accident to your insurer (without a payout) shouldn’t raise rates by itself. If the damage was minimal and the other party isn’t making a claim, you could even decide with your insurer’s advice to pay the other party directly. Just ensure everything is documented and the other car owner signs off that damages were resolved, to prevent future disputes.

Importantly, do not avoid telling your insurance out of fear of a rate hike. Your policy likely requires you to report accidents. If you fail to report and the other party contacts your insurer later, it could lead to a denied claim or cancellation of your policy. Protect yourself by being honest and prompt. Insurance exists for these situations, and Insure on the Spot or your agent can help walk you through the claim so it’s handled correctly.

What If I Hit a Parked Car and I Don’t Have Insurance?

If you hit a parked car while uninsured, you will be personally liable for all damages, and you’ll also face legal penalties for driving without insurance. In Illinois (and most states), it is illegal to operate a vehicle without at least basic liability insurance. The driver who is uninsured at the time of an accident will likely receive a citation. In Illinois, the first-offense penalty for driving uninsured is a fine between $500 and $1,000, and a driver’s license suspension of up to 3 months. To reinstate your license after such a suspension, you must obtain insurance and pay a reinstatement fee (around $100). If you were uninsured and caused an accident with significant damage, the state will also require you to provide proof of financial responsibility moving forward, typically by filing an SR-22 insurance certificate.

An SR-22 is not a special insurance policy but rather a form your insurance company files with the state to prove you have the required liability coverage. After an accident while uninsured, Illinois may suspend your license and registration until you not only pay for the damages but also carry insurance continuously for three years with an SR-22 filing. This is part of Illinois’ Safety Responsibility Law, which aims to enforce insurance coverage after crashes. 

Beyond the legal penalties, you’ll have to pay for the damage out-of-pocket. You should still follow all the steps (leave your info, talk to police, etc.), but when it comes to compensation, you’ll need to coordinate directly with the other vehicle’s owner. You might offer to pay for their repairs out-of-pocket. If the damage is substantial and you cannot pay, you could face a civil lawsuit from the car’s owner for the costs. If the police were involved, you’ll also be ticketed for no insurance. The combination of accident damages, fines, and the elevated cost of future insurance (as an uninsured at-fault driver) can be financially devastating.

Tip: If you’re currently uninsured, get insured immediately (before you have an accident). Insure on the Spot can help find affordable auto insurance in Chicago for high-risk drivers or those who need an SR-22 filing. Illinois has relatively strict consequences for uninsured drivers, so it’s crucial to have at least the minimum liability coverage at all times.

What If Someone Hit My Parked Car?

Coming back to find your parked car damaged can be upsetting. If another driver hit your car and didn’t directly inform you, here’s what to do:

Stay at the Scene and Look for Info 

First, check if the other driver left a note on your windshield or nearby. Honest drivers will leave contact and insurance details if you weren’t there when they hit your car. Also, ask people nearby (or the property owner) if the driver came inside to report the accident. Sometimes stores or security will have a record if someone reported hitting a car.

Document the Damage

Take photos of your car’s damage from multiple angles. Note any paint transfer, broken glass, or parts from the other vehicle that might be on the ground. Also record the location and time where the incident happened – for example, write down “Found car hit at 3:45 PM in grocery lot on 5/10, left rear fender crushed.” This helps establish when and where it occurred.

Find Witnesses or Camera Footage

Look around and talk to any potential witnesses. If someone saw the accident, get their account and contact info. Ask nearby businesses if they have security cameras covering the parking area. Video footage could identify the hit-and-run vehicle (license plate, make/model). If available, politely ask the business or property manager to preserve the footage and tell them police may request it.

Call the Police

Report the hit-and-run to the police as soon as you discover it. Even if the damage is minor, having a police report will help with your insurance claim. In some states, police may not come out for minor parking lot damage unless the suspect driver is known, but in many jurisdictions you can file an official report for a hit-and-run. Tell the police everything you’ve gathered (note left, witness info, camera possibilities). In Illinois, you are generally required to report accidents especially if you intend to claim insurance – and hit-and-run property damage should certainly be reported. The police report can also document that you were the victim and the other driver fled, which is important for insurance.

Notify Your Insurance Company

Contact your auto insurer to report that your parked car was hit by an unknown vehicle. This would be processed either under your collision coverage or uninsured motorist property damage coverage, depending on your policy and state. In Illinois, insurers offer uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) coverage (usually with a deductible) which often covers hit-and-run damage since the other driver is legally “uninsured” if unknown. If you have UMPD on your policy, your insurer will pay for your car repairs (minus the deductible) without raising your rate, since you were not at fault. If you don’t have UMPD but you do have collision coverage, you can claim under collision; you’ll pay your collision deductible and your insurer covers the rest, but note this may be recorded as an at-fault claim on your policy (some companies waive the surcharge if it’s proven a hit-and-run where you couldn’t identify the other driver). Discuss with your insurer which coverage applies. Provide them the police report number and any evidence you have. They may ask if you obtained any info about the other car – if by chance you got a license plate or the note from the other driver, then the claims process would instead go through that driver’s liability insurance. If the hit-and-run driver is later found by police, your insurer may subrogate (seek reimbursement) from that driver or their insurer.

Repairs and Deductible

You will likely need to get an estimate for repairs. Your insurance can direct you to approved body shops or you can choose one. If a claim is covered by your collision or UMPD, you’ll be responsible for your policy’s deductible (commonly $250 or $500) and the insurance covers the rest. If the other driver is identified and has insurance, then their insurance should pay for your repairs and you wouldn’t owe a deductible in that scenario. Make sure to keep copies of all accident-related documents and communications.

Future Impact

If the incident is processed under your own insurance (collision coverage), it might count as a no-fault or not-at-fault claim. Many insurers do not surcharge for claims where you were not at fault (especially if you have a police report). If it’s under UMPD, typically that’s also not held against you. Check with your agent how it will be classified. The important thing is that a hit-and-run where you did nothing wrong generally should not raise your premiums – it’s similar to any claim where you’re the victim (like vandalism or hail). Your insurer may ask for a copy of the police report or a case number to verify it was a hit-and-run.

FAQs about Hitting a Parked Car

Q: Do I have to leave a note if I barely tapped a parked car and see no damage?
A: Yes. Legally, you must stop and provide information whenever you collide with another vehicle, even if damage isn’t obvious. The law doesn’t require a certain dollar amount of damage – any contact that could have caused damage obligates you to identify yourself. There may be internal damage or paint scratches not immediately visible. By leaving a note with your info, you protect yourself from hit-and-run accusations. It’s the right thing to do ethically, and it fulfills your legal duty. If truly there was zero damage, the owner may choose not to pursue a claim, but you should still leave your details just in case. Not doing so could result in criminal charges if someone witnessed the incident.

Q: What information should I leave on a parked car that I hit?
A: You should leave your name, a reliable contact number (and/or email), and a brief explanation that you accidentally hit their car. It’s also helpful to mention your address and the vehicle’s owner name (if different, e.g. you were driving a friend’s car). You can say something like, “I hit your car accidentally. My name is Jane Smith. Here is my phone number and email. I have insurance and will cover the damages. Please contact me.” You do not need to provide sensitive details in the note like your driver’s license number or insurance policy number – save those for when you speak directly with the owner or the police. Importantly, do not admit fault in detail or make excuses in the note. Keep it factual and assure them that you will cooperate. Once you’ve left the note securely under the wiper, you have done what the law requires.

Q: Will my insurance rates go up after I hit a parked car?
A: Probably, yes. An at-fault accident typically goes on your insurance record and can lead to a premium increase upon renewal. How much depends on your insurer’s surcharge schedule, the cost of the claim, and whether you have prior accidents. Some insurers offer “accident forgiveness” for a first minor incident, which might minimize or avoid a rate hike. If the damage was minor and you paid out-of-pocket (no claim filed), your insurance might not increase since they didn’t pay anything – however, you’re taking a risk by not filing, as discussed above. If a claim was filed and paid (the other party’s repairs covered by your liability coverage, or your car fixed under collision), it’s considered an at-fault claim on your record. Industry data shows even a small property damage claim can raise premiums by a certain percentage. To get an idea: a single at-fault accident might raise your rate by anywhere from 20% to 40% on average, depending on severity, and the surcharge usually lasts 3-5 years. Every company is different, though. The important thing is to carry adequate insurance so that if an accident happens, you’re covered – even if it means a temporary premium increase. Over time, safe driving can bring your rate back down. Consider talking to your agent about discounts or accident forgiveness options going forward.

Q: What if someone hit my parked car and didn’t leave a note?
A: Unfortunately, you’re dealing with a hit-and-run. The first step is to treat it like any accident: document the damage and file a police report. If you discover the damage in a parking lot or on the street with no note in sight, call the non-emergency police line and report that your vehicle was struck by an unknown driver. Provide any clues you might have (timeframe, paint scrape color that isn’t yours, camera locations). The police report creates an official record. Next, contact your insurance company. If you have uninsured motorist property damage coverage, that can typically cover a hit-and-run incident (since the at-fault driver is unidentified/uninsured). Otherwise, your collision coverage will cover the repairs, or you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket if you lack appropriate coverage. You will likely need to pay your deductible for repairs, but if the culprit is later found, sometimes their insurance or a victim’s compensation fund can reimburse you. Check if any nearby businesses or homes have CCTV footage; if so, give that info to the police. It’s frustrating, but your focus should be on restoring your car and minimizing costs via your insurance. Your insurer might treat this as a not-at-fault claim (so it may not impact your rates). 

Tip: Always carry at least the optional uninsured motorist property coverage if available in your state – it’s designed for situations like hit-and-run damage.

Q: If the other car was illegally parked, am I still at fault for hitting it?
A: Generally, yes, even if the other car was parked improperly, as the moving driver you are expected to avoid obstacles. Hitting a stationary vehicle usually places fault on the driver who was moving. The fact that the other car was illegally parked (in a no-parking zone, fire lane, or similar) might be a mitigating factor, but it typically doesn’t absolve you. The police might ticket the other car for the parking violation, yet you can still be cited for the collision. In some cases of clear negligence by the parked car’s owner (say, parked in the middle of a lane around a blind corner), an insurance company or court could assign comparative fault – meaning the illegally parked car’s owner might bear a small percentage of blame. But you as the driver who struck the car will still carry most of the liability for the damage. Bottom line: do not assume you’re off the hook because the car “shouldn’t have been there.” You must still follow all the steps (leave info, report, etc.) because the law requires it regardless of the other car’s parking status. Failure to do so will put you in the wrong, unquestionably. It’s better to address the situation properly and let insurance determine if the other party’s negligence contributed at all. In any case, both drivers could potentially be cited for different offenses (you for the collision, them for illegal parking). Always do your duty to stop and report, no matter what.

Q: How can I prevent hitting parked cars in the future?
A: Parking and maneuvering in tight spaces can be challenging, but there are some precautions:

• Park carefully: When parallel parking or backing into a spot, take it slow and use your mirrors and backup camera (if available). Consider practicing in an empty lot to gauge distances.
  
• Mind your turn radius: In crowded lots, do multi-point turns if needed instead of trying to swing into or out of a space too sharply.
  
• Avoid distractions: Don’t multitask (like fumbling with the radio or phone) when parking. Many parked car scrapes happen due to distraction or misjudgment at low speeds.
  
• Give yourself space: If possible, choose parking spots with ample room. Parking further out in a lot can reduce the chance of close-quarter accidents.
  
• Use a spotter: If you’re unsure, have a passenger get out and guide you into a tight spot.
  

Even the best drivers have the occasional mishap, so don’t be too hard on yourself if it happens. The important thing is handling it correctly. If you ever have questions about your coverage or need help after an accident, reach out to Insure on the Spot. We’re here to help Illinois drivers with affordable coverage (including SR-22 insurance for those who need it) and friendly advice. Call us at 773-202-5060 or visit our website for a free quote. Drive safe!