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When your car is damaged in an accident, it evokes a range of emotions, especially if you spent a large amount of money and time obtaining and maintaining it. When these vehicle damages are added to the injuries suffered by the passengers, further stress and significant financial costs are generated.

Another factor that may seem unusual (but is extremely aggravating) is if your car is damaged while parked. While you may believe otherwise, parked cars being damaged by other cars is a common occurrence that occurs more frequently than you may realize. Because of the unknowns involved, such as not knowing who or what wrecked your car, dealing with this issue may be more exhausting.

Here is a list of things you may do to assist you get through the difficult circumstance of your parked car being damaged by a third party.

What Should You Do If Your Car Is Damaged While Parked?

Even while your car is parked, accidents can occur. However, the procedures to take in the aftermath may differ from those required in general vehicle accidents. At the same time, some actions that follow inadvertent harm in both of these cases may also be similar. Following are some urgent procedures you can take if your car is damaged while parked.

Obtain information on the offender

The first step is to do everything you can to determine who is liable for the damages to your vehicle. If a moving vehicle damages your parked automobile, make a note of the third-party car's license plate number and whatever other information you can gather about the entity responsible. If you are able to contact the individual who caused the damage, take down their name, contact information, driver's license number, and the license plate number of the third-party vehicle.

Notify the authorities and file a report

Inform the police by dialing 999 and informing them of the damages. If you plan to file a claim against your car insurance policy, contact the police and submit an official report whether or not you have the offender on your hands. Even filing an accident claim against your insurance plan requires a proper police record. Keep this in mind because your insurance company may have a deadline for filing this report. Make sure you submit this report before the deadline.

Another advantage of filing an official police report is that it may aid in the identification of the criminal. So, if you don't get anywhere after putting in a lot of effort to find the individual who caused the damage, go straight to the police station and file a report, as well as a copy of the report to send with the claim form.

Identify a Witness

Whether it's a court case or an accident claim, having someone to back you up is always beneficial. If you come across someone who can testify in your favor near the accident scene, take careful note of their information. Have the witness give a comprehensive account of the incident if feasible. Any detailed report detailing what they saw during the accident will help you build a strong case for your claim. If the witness agrees to appear in person, make a note of the steps necessary to make that happen.

Contact your insurance company

Call the insurance company and let them know about the occurrence while you're talking to witnesses and completing the official police report. Simply contact the provider's customer service department to inform them of the situation. They will transfer you to the company's alleged cell.

It is important to note that even if the customer service hotline does not transfer your call, you can request that a claim be initiated directly with the customer service representative. While this is not your only opportunity to file a claim, it is nevertheless critical to inform the provider about the occurrence as quickly as possible during such an informational conversation.

Create a case and file a claim

It's time to put your claim together now that you've completed all of the necessary background research. Get a claim form from the provider's website or, if one is available, proceed to the online claim filing portal. Begin filling out the essential information and keep all of the necessary documents on hand. Your driver's license, vehicle registration documents, and the police report are all essential documents.

Photographs of the occurrence, witness testimony, your thorough narrative, and the name and details of the individual responsible for the losses are all things that might help you establish a stronger claim. Submit your claim after collecting these facts in documents and wait for clearance. After your insurance claim has been granted, work on your car will begin.

What are your options for getting your damages covered here?

In this circumstance, you have two options for getting your damages covered: third-party liability insurance or comprehensive car insurance. Because third-party liability insurance only covers damages caused by a third party, the only method to get your losses paid is to launch a third-party lawsuit against the guilty party.

You have the option of keeping your car as is for the time being and having it fixed when you receive compensation. However, if the accident's damages result in additional damages, the third-party liability compensation you get will not cover them.

A comprehensive car insurance policy is another option for covering your damages. A comprehensive car insurance policy covers the current damages to your vehicle, with the third-party covering the costs if the lawsuit is settled. Another advantage of getting comprehensive automobile insurance is that you will be covered if the person who caused the accident is underfunded or uninsured. In this instance, your comprehensive plan will cover the costs of repairs, and you may be able to settle the costs with the guilty party later.

Is it possible for your parked car damage claim to be denied? When?

Claims for car insurance are frequently denied or rejected, with the majority of claims being dismissed owing to clerical errors or missing papers. After correcting these problems, you can resubmit any rejected claims. Denied claims, on the other hand, cannot be presented again. A claim is typically refused when the reasons for your claim are either not covered by the plan or are invalid due to some condition.

A claim for parked car damage caused by a third party may also be dismissed. Denial of such claims can be caused by a variety of issues, including parking your car in an unauthorized location, parking in a 'no parking' zone, parking on a busy road, stopping on a highway without flashing hazard lights, and so on.

According to the policy language, this list can include a few more variables. This is why it is critical to read the policy paperwork thoroughly and understand the exclusions before enrolling in the claim. Your coverage or premium will not be affected by a refused insurance claim. Filing claims, on the other hand, takes a lot of time and effort. If the claim is not legible and you are aware of it from the outset, you can save at least this much.

Bottom Line

When it comes to covering damages, vehicle insurance plans are a car owner's only hope. Because the damages can be of various types, the claims for these damages can therefore vary. Purchasing car insurance in Dubai via motor insurance online is not a difficult procedure now. You can easily compare and choose your auto insurance plan according to your needs. Different procedures must be followed to lodge a claim for general accidental damages, collision damages, theft, and parked automobile damages. If you just remember one thing about parked automobile damage, make sure to take care of the injured (if any), call the police, and your insurance provider, who will walk you through the process.