As a driver you may be wondering, does car insurance cover parking lot damage? Parking lot damage is an occurrence that happens way more often than you think. Many parked cars experience this type of damage. No one wants to park their car to go shopping and come back to see if someone has bumped their vehicle and left. Whether or not your insurer covers Car park accidents and car accidents in parking lots depends on the type of insurance policy that you have.
In this article from Lookinsure mag, we want to take a look at the types of insurance policies that cover parked car accidents and what you can do about it.
Frequently Answered Questions
1: Is hitting a parked car considered an accident?
Yes. Hitting a parked car is considered an accident. Make sure you notify the car owner in case you hit a parked car. In case they’re not around, leave a note on their car with your contact and information.
2: Do I have to pay an excess charge to the insurance company if someone hits my car while parked?
Regardless of who is to blame, you will need to pay the excess in the event of any claim made on your insurance policy. If the car hit in the parking lot insurance claim is made under someone else’s insurance, and you do not need to pay an excess.
3: Does my car insurance include Valet Parking Cover?
Many car insurance policies do not include valet parking coverage. However, most insurers have add-on coverage plans to your standard policy. You can check your insurer’s add-on coverages to see what they offer.
4: Which UAE provider offers car scratched in parking lot insurance?
Many insurance companies offer parked car insurance. Some notable companies include AXA, Abu Dhabi Insurance Company, Oman Insurance Company and more. Make sure to compare policies and quotes from different providers before finalizing your choice.
Car Insurance for Parking Lot Accidents
There are different types of parked car accidents that one may experience. The most common one is the hit and run accident but there are other scenarios in which you might want to know about, for instance car scratched in parking lot insurance or different types of parking lot insurance coverages. In order to learn about the insurance types, first, you need to learn the different types of incidents that might happen to your parked vehicle.
Hit And Run
As mentioned earlier, this is among the most common parked car accidents. This happens when someone hits your car and leaves without a notice.
Such an irresponsible action, right? In this case, you will have to immediately contact the police and check the surroundings for security cameras and witnesses.
Getting Injured in Your Parked Car Due To An Accident
If someone hits your parked vehicle and you’re injured, you should immediately call the police and get the necessary medical attention as soon as you can.
You should get the driver’s information to file a claim under their liability insurance. Your property and bodily injury will be covered by their insurance.
Someone Hitting Your Parked Car And Leaving A Note
In case someone hits your parked car and leaves a note, call the police and provide the driver’s information that they have left for you.
In case they have only left a contact, you may need to call them to get their information.
You can raise an insurance claim under their insurance as well as file a claim under your collision policy. However, make sure to try the first option before going for the latter.
What Should I Do After a Parking Lot Accident?
When experiencing car park accidents, you may think that all accountable parties responsibly wait to take care of the situation, but you’re wrong. Many people leave after causing an accident to run away from the consequences.
This hit-and-run accident happens daily, especially in busy parking lots and areas. Let’s see what you can do if such a thing happens to your vehicle:
Find a Witness
If you’re lucky, you will be able to find a witness to the accident. Search around the parking lot/area to see if anyone has witnessed the incident.
Call the police
The next essential step is calling the police. As a victim of a hit and run, you can call the police and have them file a report for you. If you have a witness for the accident, make sure to let the police know.
Gather documents and reports
Taking pictures of the damages caused to your vehicle and its surroundings alongside the police report will be useful documents you can gather for your insurer. Check if there are any security cameras around where you can use their footage.
Report Damages to Insurance Provider
Now is the time to contact your insurance provider. You can provide them with all the documents that you gathered to raise a claim.
Your claim will be reviewed and your insurance company will contact you shortly after you file your claim. Make sure to be quick about this step.
So many insurers only accept claims that have been made in a specific timeframe right after the accident.
Which Car Insurance Plans Offer Parking Lot Insurance?
After learning about the different accidents that can happen to your parked car, you can identify the type of incident and perform the correct actions. Now, it’s time to go over the different car insurance parking lot accidents and the coverage that each policy offers.
Third-Party Liability for Parking Lot Accident
Third-party liability insurance is the minimum level of mandatory coverage in the UAE. This insurance policy only takes care of third-party liabilities.
This means that if you cause an accident, your insurance provider will cover the injuries to the third party, such as property damage and self-injuries as well as medical bills if necessary.
Any driver has at least this type of policy for their vehicle. Considering this factor, if you have this policy only and you are the one hitting another parked vehicle, your insurance will take care of the damage and if your car gets hit by someone who is a third-party policy holder, their insurance will take care of the damage.
Comprehensive Insurance for Parked Car Damage
Comprehensive car insurance offers the highest level of coverage among other policies.
Vandalism, fire and theft, broken glass, animal damages and much more is covered by a comprehensive car insurance policy as well as third party liabilities.
Therefore, in case you cause an accident this policy will take care of it, and in case you are the victim of a parked car accident, the other person’s comprehensive insurance will cover up for the damage.
Collision Insurance for Parked Car Damage
Collision insurance coverage is also another helpful policy in this scenario. Whether you are the one causing the parked car accident, or in case you are the victim of this type of accident, your collision coverage will probably take care of it. However, make sure to check with your insurer beforehand.
Find Parking Lot Damage Coverage on Lookinsure
The right add-ons will protect your car against parking lot damage, whether caused by an accident or mistake. Here at Lookinsure, we will provide all the necessary information to help you get out of any similar situation. Find and compare the best insurance policy with parking lot coverage add-ons and you’re good to go!
Conclusion
Getting hit by another car when you’re in the parking lot is very frustrating. Especially if you come back to a hit-and-run. This happens when someone bumps into your parked car and leaves without a notice. It can be very disturbing at first but don’t worry. Car damage in parking lot insurance is a very common thing and insurance providers are used to this type of claims. But the question is, does car insurance cover parking lot damage? Yes! To make smart moves, make sure to learn about the different insurance policies and how each of them can help you in similar scenarios.
