Can I Claim If My Car Is Damaged in a Car Park?

Finding a dent, scratch or damaged bumper on your parked car can be frustrating, especially when you do not know who caused it. You may be able to claim from your car insurance, even if the damage happens in a car park. However, your claim options depend on the type of insurance you have and whether the person responsible can be identified.

Here is what you should know before making a claim.

What Types of Car Park Damage Can You Claim For?

Car park damage can happen in several ways. For example, another driver may hit your car while parking, a shopping trolley may roll into it, or someone may deliberately scratch the paintwork.

Whether you can claim depends on the cause of damage and your policy coverage.

Type of damage	Possible claim option
Another car hits your parked vehicle	Claim against the other driver’s insurer or consider an own-damage claim, depending on the circumstances
Another driver hits your car and leaves	Consider an own-damage claim if you have comprehensive insurance
Shopping trolley damages your car	May be covered under comprehensive insurance, subject to policy terms
Someone deliberately scratches or damages your car	May be covered under comprehensive insurance, subject to policy terms and evidence
An object falls onto your car	May be covered under comprehensive insurance, depending on the circumstances and policy wording

Not every incident automatically qualifies for a claim. Your insurer will assess the circumstances, evidence and applicable policy terms.

Can I Claim If Someone Hits My Parked Car?

Yes. If another driver damages your parked car, you may be able to claim against their insurance, provided you can establish their involvement and liability.

For example, if another driver reverses into your car and damages the bumper, you can:

• Get the other driver’s name, contact details and vehicle registration number.
• Take photographs of the damage and both vehicles, if possible.
• Obtain the other driver’s insurance information.
• Make a police report and follow the insurer’s claim procedure.

If the other driver accepts responsibility and the claim is approved, you may be able to claim against their third-party insurance.

Alternatively, if you have comprehensive insurance, you may be able to use your own policy, depending on the circumstances and the available claim route.

What If Someone Damages My Car and Leaves?

This is a common problem in car parks. You return to your vehicle and discover a dent or scratch, but the other driver has already left without leaving their details.

This may be treated as a hit-and-run incident.

If this happens:

1. Take photographs: Capture the damage, your vehicle’s position and the surrounding area.
2. Check for witnesses: Ask nearby drivers, security guards or shop staff if they saw what happened.
3. Look for CCTV footage: Check whether the car park has cameras covering your parking space.
4. Make a police report: Report the incident and provide any evidence you have.
5. Contact your insurer: Ask about your claim options and the documents required.

If you have comprehensive insurance, you may be able to claim for the damage under your own policy. However, an unidentified driver may make it difficult to pursue a third-party claim.

Does My Insurance Cover Car Park Damage?

Your insurance type determines whether you can claim for damage to your own car.

Insurance type	Car park damage coverage
Comprehensive	Generally covers accidental damage to your own vehicle, subject to policy terms and exclusions
Third Party, Fire and Theft (TPFT)	Covers third-party liability, fire and theft, but generally does not cover accidental damage to your own car
Third Party Only	Covers your legal liability to third parties, not damage to your own vehicle

For example, if a trolley scratches your car or an unidentified driver damages your parked vehicle, comprehensive insurance may provide a claim option.

However, if you only have third-party insurance, you generally cannot claim for damage to your own car under that policy.

Will a Car Park Damage Claim Affect My NCD?

It depends on how you make the claim.

Your No Claim Discount (NCD) may be affected if you claim for damage to your own vehicle under your comprehensive policy.

However, if another identified driver is responsible and you make an eligible claim against their insurer, your NCD may be preserved.

Here is a simple comparison:

Claim type	Possible NCD impact
Own-damage claim under your comprehensive policy	NCD is generally affected
Eligible third-party claim against the driver at fault	NCD is generally preserved
Own Damage Knock-for-Knock (OD-KFK) claim	NCD is generally preserved if the claim meets the eligibility conditions

The actual outcome depends on the claim circumstances and insurer’s assessment. Check with your insurer before deciding which claim route to use.

Should I Claim or Pay for the Repairs Myself?

Not every car park incident requires an insurance claim. For minor scratches or dents, paying for repairs yourself may be worth considering.

Before making a decision, compare the repair cost with your policy excess and the possible impact on your NCD.

For example:

• If the repair cost is relatively low, paying out of pocket may be more practical.
• If the damage is extensive, making an insurance claim may be worth considering.
• If another driver is responsible, check whether you can claim against their insurer instead.

Remember that the final decision should also consider your policy terms, claim eligibility and any additional charges.

What Documents Do I Need for a Car Park Damage Claim?

Your insurer may request different documents depending on the incident and claim type.

Generally, prepare:

• A police report, where required.
• Photographs or videos of the damage.
• The other driver’s details, if available.
• Witness contact details, if any.
• CCTV footage or relevant information from the car park management.
• Your vehicle and insurance details.

Contact your insurer as soon as possible to confirm the reporting requirements and next steps. Avoid arranging repairs before your insurer or appointed workshop has advised you on the claim procedure.

Found Damage on Your Parked Car? Check Your Claim Options

Car park damage does not automatically mean you have to pay for every repair yourself. Depending on your insurance coverage and the circumstances, you may be able to claim from the responsible driver’s insurer or use your own comprehensive policy.

Take photographs, gather available evidence and contact your insurer before arranging repairs. This helps you understand your options and avoid unnecessary complications during the claim process.