It happens in an instant. You return to your parked car and discover a fresh dent or scrape. No note under the windshield, no witnesses nearby – just damage that wasn’t there before. Now what?
I faced this exact situation last fall. Someone hit my car in a shopping center parking lot and took off without leaving a note. The damage wasn’t catastrophic, but it definitely needed professional attention. Through that experience (and unfortunately, another parking lot incident months earlier), I learned what steps actually help.
Document Everything Immediately
Pull out your phone before you even move your car. Take clear photos showing:
- The damage from multiple angles
- Your car’s position in the parking lot
- Any paint transfer from the other vehicle
- Wide shots showing nearby cars and the surrounding area
These photos were essential for my insurance claim. The images showing exactly where I was parked helped establish that I wasn’t at fault.
Contact Your Insurance
Even for seemingly minor damage, report the incident to your insurance company as soon as possible. This creates an official record and preserves your rights under your policy.
During your call:
- Be clear that your parked car was hit by an unknown driver
- Ask about uninsured motorist coverage for this situation
- Determine if a police report is required for your claim
- Get information about their preferred repair facilities
When my bumper was damaged, reporting it immediately made the difference between a smooth claim and what could have been a complicated process.
File a Police Report
Many drivers skip this step for minor parking lot incidents, but creating an official record can be valuable. Most departments now offer convenient online reporting, making this step quick and painless.
The police report I filed provided an official record that strengthened my insurance claim and gave me peace of mind that I’d done everything by the book.
Get a Professional Assessment
Even minor-looking damage can hide more serious problems. It’s important to have your vehicle examined by technicians who specialize in collision damage.
A proper evaluation should check for:
- Damage to sensors and electronic systems
- Alignment or structural problems
- Seal integrity that could allow water intrusion
- Paint system damage that might lead to rust
After my parking lot incident, a professional inspection revealed sensor damage that wasn’t visible from the outside, something I never would have caught on my own.
My Experience Finding Help
After discovering the damage to my car, I faced the all-too-familiar dilemma of where to take it for repairs. As a Colorado resident, I’m used to dealing with weather-related vehicle damage, especially from hail, so I had access to plenty of auto body shops. Still, choosing the right one wasn’t easy. I knew I needed a Lakewood collision repair shop that specialized in hail damage and offered both expertise and transparency, not just a quick fix.
After doing some research and asking around, I came across StormWise, which sets the standard for auto hail repair across the U.S., and its Denver headquarters is recognized as the top auto body shop for collision and dent repair in Colorado.
What made the biggest difference was their help with the insurance process. I had been worried about getting my claim approved after hearing stories from friends whose claims were denied. Having professionals who knew exactly what documentation to provide and how to communicate with the insurance company saved me countless hours of stress.
Don’t Delay Repairs
After my first parking lot incident, I made the mistake of postponing repairs for what seemed like minor damage. By the time I finally addressed it months later, Colorado’s winter weather had caused the damaged area to start rusting, significantly increasing the repair cost.
Our local climate is particularly hard on damaged vehicles:
- Road salt accelerates corrosion on exposed metal
- Freeze-thaw cycles expand existing cracks
- Moisture finds its way into damaged areas
- Temperature extremes affect adhesives and seals
A Simple Action Plan
Based on my experiences, here’s what I recommend:
- Document the damage with detailed photos
- Report the incident to your insurance company immediately
- File a police report, even for minor damage
- Get a professional evaluation from a qualified shop
- Complete repairs promptly to prevent additional damage
While discovering parking lot damage is never pleasant, having a clear plan of action makes the experience far less stressful. These steps helped me navigate the process with minimal frustration and can do the same for you.
Helpful tip: Consider parking further from store entrances where there’s less traffic, even if it means a longer walk. The extra steps are worth avoiding the headache of dealing with parking lot damage.
