Does Car Insurance Cover Hit-And-Run Damage to a Parked Car?
Good news, car insurance can help with a hit-and-run while parked, depending on your coverage.

Good news, car insurance can help with a hit-and-run while parked, depending on your coverage.
If you’ve found your parked car damaged after a hit-and-run, you’re likely wondering who will pay for the repairs. Luckily, certain types of car insurance, like collision coverage or uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) coverage, can usually help cover your repair costs.
Here’s more on when car insurance covers these accidents, and what to do if you find yourself in this situation.
Car insurance can typically cover damage to your parked car in a hit-and-run scenario, depending on your insurance coverages such as:
Note: You’ll probably need to pay your deductible—the portion of the repair cost you’re responsible for before your insurance kicks in—for either collision or UMPD.
Imagine this: You park your car in a crowded parking lot and return to find a large dent in your rear bumper. The at-fault driver was nowhere to be found, and no note was left. Your repair estimate comes to $1,500, but you have collision coverage with a $500 deductible. After filing a claim with your insurance company, they pay you $1,000 for the damages (the cost of the damage minus your deductible).
Without this coverage, you’d be fully responsible for paying the entire $1,500 repair bill.
Car insurance doesn’t cover hit-and-run accidents under certain scenarios:
If your car is damaged in a hit-and-run accident, insurance can provide support through multiple avenues:
If you have either collision coverage, or uninsured motorist property damage coverage that covers damage from hit-and-runs, your insurer can help cover the cost of the damage—minus your deductible—caused by the hit-and-run to your car, such as dents, scratches, or broken mirrors.
Most insurance companies only cover rental car costs, but Lemonade takes it up a notch with temporary transportation coverage (depending on your state), helping pay for ride-shares like Uber or even public transportation—up to the limit in your policy.
It’s stressful to find your parked car damaged from a hit-and-run, so follow these steps to get to the other side of a bad experience as quickly as possible:
At Lemonade, we designed our digital claims process to be as quick and easy as possible. Just submit your claim through the app with the help of our friendly chatbot, AI Jim, then you’ll be paired up with one of Lemonade Car’s trusty claims adjusters to help you with the rest of the process.
Dealing with hit-and-run damage on your parked car can be frustrating, but the right car insurance can make all the difference. Whether it’s collision coverage, uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) coverage, or temporary transportation coverage, having these options in your policy means you won’t have to face repair costs alone.
Looking to protect yourself from the unexpected? Check out how Lemonade can protect your car from hit-and-runs.
Whether your insurance premiums increase after an accident depends on your insurance provider and your state. In some cases, claims filed under collision coverage or uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) coverage can lead to higher premiums, even if you weren’t at fault for the accident.
Yes, you can still file a claim with your insurer if there are no notes or witnesses to verify the damage is from a hit-and-run. Start by submitting photos of the incident to document any visible damage or important details. You’ll also need to file a police report to create an official record, which can be crucial for insurance claims or legal purposes.It’s also a good idea to gather evidence from surveillance cameras or dashcams if available, as this footage can provide clear proof to support your claim and help resolve the matter more effectively.
Choosing the right collision deductible depends on your financial situation and how much you’re willing to pay for car insurance premiums. A lower deductible, such as $250, means you’ll pay less out of pocket if your car is damaged, but your insurance premiums will be higher since your insurer will cover more of the repair costs.On the flip side, opting for a higher deductible reduces your premiums but increases the amount you’ll need to pay for repairs in the event of an accident. Finding the right balance is key to ensuring both affordability and peace of mind.
If you’re able to identify who damaged your car, either from a note left at the scene or a witness providing their license plate, their insurance should cover the repair costs.However, if they’re uninsured or refuse to cooperate, you might need to use your collision or UMPD coverage to pay for repairs. It’s arguably a good idea to report the incident to your insurance company and explore your options.
Insurance companies typically don’t investigate hit-and-run cases to track down the at-fault driver. It’s up to you to gather any useful evidence, like photos, witness accounts, or security camera footage. That said, your insurer will use the information you provide to handle your claim and help guide you through the process.
A few quick words, because we <3 our lawyers: This post is general in nature, and any statement in it doesn’t alter the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of policies issued by Lemonade, which differ according to your state of residence. You’re encouraged to discuss your specific circumstances with your own professional advisors. The purpose of this post is merely to provide you with info and insights you can use to make such discussions more productive! Naturally, all comments by, or references to, third parties represent their own views, and Lemonade assumes no responsibility for them. Coverage and discounts may not be available in all states.
Please note: Lemonade articles and other editorial content are meant for educational purposes only, and should not be relied upon instead of professional legal, insurance or financial advice. The content of these educational articles does not alter the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of policies issued by Lemonade, which differ according to your state of residence. While we regularly review previously published content to ensure it is accurate and up-to-date, there may be instances in which legal conditions or policy details have changed since publication. Any hypothetical examples used in Lemonade editorial content are purely expositional. Hypothetical examples do not alter or bind Lemonade to any application of your insurance policy to the particular facts and circumstances of any actual claim.