What happens when someone else hits your car?

Asked by: Freeman Ondricka  |  Last update: August 14, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (10 votes)

If someone has hit your parked car, you should treat it like any other accident. First, don't move your car. If you can locate the person who hit your car, exchange information with them. Then, call the local authorities to file a police report and notify your insurer.

How does insurance work when someone hits your car?

Collision coverage typically helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it's hit by another vehicle (or if you hit another vehicle or object), regardless of who is at fault. Even if you cannot find the other driver, you may be able to file a claim under your own auto insurance policy's collision coverage.

What to do if someone hits your car when you're not around?

You go to the nearest police station and file a police report for a hit and run. Next you alert your insurance company and give them the police report. Your insurance will go ahead and fix your car damage and they will work with police to identify who hit you, where they live, and if they have insurance.

Do I call my insurance if I'm not at fault?

Yes. Regardless of fault, it is important to call your insurance company and report any accident that involves injuries or property damage. It is a common myth that you needn't contact your insurance company if you aren't at fault.

What is the first thing you do when someone hits your car?

Call the Police

The first and most important step after a car accident is to call the police. Not only does this ensure that medical care is provided if necessary, but it also creates an official record of the incident. Understanding your rights is crucial in this situation.

What happens if someone else driving my car gets in an accident?

18 related questions found

Do I have to stop if someone hits my car?

Don't leave the scene or move your car. Locate the person who hit your car and exchange information (if possible) Take photos and contact the authorities to file a police report.

Does your insurance go up if someone hits you?

If you are involved in an accident and file a claim, even if it was not your fault, your insurance company may see you as a higher risk to insure and increase your rates. Consider speaking with a licensed insurance agent to see how much insurance could increase after an accident where you're not at fault.

Should I file a claim if I'm not at fault?

Always File a Claim, Regardless of Who Was At-Fault

One of the primary questions we receive from clients who have been in an accident is whether they should report the accident to their own auto insurance carrier, particularly when the accident was not their fault. And the answer to that question is: always.

When someone hits you, do you call your insurance or theirs?

For example, if your car repair damage is $19,000 and the other driver's insurance covers up to $15,000, you still have to pay $4,000 in repair bills. In this case, your car insurance company may cover the costs resulting from this underinsured driver. This is why you should call your insurance if someone hits you.

Do I have to pay my deductible if someone hits me?

The purpose of the deductible is to share financial responsibility between the insured and the insurance company. It also discourages filing small or frivolous claims. You may have to pay your deductible if someone hits you—even if you're not at fault.

What to do if someone claims you hit their car?

What to Do If Someone Falsely Claims You Hit Their Car
  1. Evaluate the Situation.
  2. Speak to the Other Party Politely.
  3. Take Photos and Videos.
  4. Gather Witnesses.
  5. Check for Nearby Cameras.
  6. Report the Incident.
  7. Explain Your Side Clearly.
  8. When to Consult an Attorney.

Do you need a police report to file an insurance claim hit and run?

If no one was injured in the accident and property damage is minor: You have no legal obligation to report the accident to the police under California law. However, filing a police report is still in your best interest if you plan to file an insurance claim for any property damage sustained in the collision.

What happens if someone hits your car but no damage?

Even if it is a “no damage” incident, it is still in your best interest to report the accident to your insurance company. Especially if you live in a “no-fault” state. In a no-fault state, your own insurance should cover any damage to your vehicle, minus the deductible, regardless of fault.

Do I get paid if someone hits my car?

If you can prove that a specific vehicle/person was responsible for the crash, and they have insurance, or money for damages, yes.

Do I give my insurance to someone who hit me?

Yes, you do have to exchange insurance information with the other party involved in the accident. This is a customary procedure that ensures both parties can file claims and have their damages covered. After the collision, make sure to call the police to document the incident officially.

How does car insurance work if someone hits you?

If the other driver doesn't have insurance or it doesn't cover the full cost of damages, or if you're the victim of a hit-and-run driver, your insurance company will pay for the damage if you have the right coverage.

Is it better to file a claim with your insurance or theirs?

After a car accident, you should notify your insurance company and file a claim, and not deal with the other driver's insurer. Except in rare circumstances, it is not wise to contact them.

What happens if I don't call my insurance after an accident?

There is no California law per se about notifying your insurance company after a collision, but your auto insurance policy is a contract. When you signed it, you agreed to the stipulations in the contract, which will almost certainly include the requirement to notify the insurance company promptly after an accident.

How do I claim insurance if it's not my fault?

After a car accident that's not your fault, you can file a third-party claim with the at-fault driver's insurance by providing details of the accident and supporting evidence like photos and a police report. Geoff Williams is a freelance journalist and author in Loveland, Ohio.

Should I talk to the other person's insurance company?

After an accident, it's advised not to speak with the other driver's insurance company. You are not legally required to speak with the other driver's insurance company or give a recorded statement. They often employ tactics to use your statements against you, potentially minimizing your payout.

What happens when a car accident wasn't your fault?

The first step is to get the other party's car insurance information and then report the accident. You should call 911 or the police to respond to the scene. You must also report the accident to both your own insurer and theirs. Generally, this will start the claims process with the at-fault party's insurer.

Why does insurance go up when it's not your fault?

If your driving record is laden with traffic violations or accidents, you might see an increase in your insurance rates after a no-fault claim, as insurance providers perceive drivers with a history of accidents or violations as high-risk and impose higher rates to mitigate the associated risk.

Will my insurance go high if someone hits me?

It may seem unfair, but accidents that aren't your fault may still increase your rate depending on your state and insurer. Not-at-fault accidents can indicate a higher likelihood of future accidents.

Will my insurance go up if someone hits me without insurance?

But, as a California personal injury attorney I can assure you that your insurance company should not raise your rates for making an Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist claim on your policy. In fact, in most cases, doing so may violate long-standing California legal statutes.

What to do if someone falsely claims you hit their car?

What should I do if someone falsely accuses me of hitting their car? First thing to do is have them make a police report. tell them you can't settle an insurance claim without it. Otherwise they can take a home.