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The other day I was reversing in a parking lot and backed up too far and crashed into someone else’s car.
It was just a small scratch, but I’m pretty sure it was me. I felt very bad and I’m worried that the owner will be upset.
I couldn’t see anyone, so I left a note. Can I pay it without claiming on my insurance? Anonymous
This is the response from Freda Lewis-Stempel of Money: First of all, don’t beat yourself up about it: it happens to all of us. At some point, almost every driver will accidentally crash into another car, and because of this, people tend to be quite forgiving in these situations.
As for the protocol, you did well to leave your data. Even if it’s just a small bump, it’s still an incident and you need to stop and exchange details before reporting it.
That’s definitely not something everyone would do and there are many of us who return to our car to discover a scratch or small dent and no indication of how it got there, and certainly no apology or note.
If it’s just a small scratch like you said, the other person will probably fix it and send you the bill, or if it’s really very small, they might tell you not to even bother.
So you know exactly where you stand, we asked two insurance experts what’s vital to remember in these situations.
This is Money asks auto insurance experts what steps you should take if you accidentally scrape or hit someone’s car
What to do if you crash someone’s car
What should you do if you crash into someone else’s car? Rhydian Jones, car insurance expert at Confused.com, comments: ‘There are three simple things you should do after this happens:
1. Stop immediately: It is your legal duty to stop if you hit another car.
2. Leave your details: Write a note with your name, contact information and vehicle registration. Place it safely in the other car.
3. Notify your insurer: Even if the damage appears minor, you should inform your insurance provider.’
Does any hit count as an incident by law?
If you push another car, it can be tempting to ignore it like it’s probably nothing and walk away. But you should check if it has caused any problem and if there has been any damage then you should wait for the owner or notify him.
Julie Daniels, auto insurance expert at Compare the Market, explains that any bump is an incident: “If you hit a parked car, don’t leave the scene, even if it’s just a small scratch.”
“Article 170 of the Road Traffic Act states that if you are involved in an accident that causes damage to another vehicle, you must stop or you will commit an offence.”
Failure to report an incident can land you a hefty fine of up to £5,000 and could result in five to 10 points on your licence.
What does the insurer need to know? When should you contact them?
Money’s reported that auto insurance premiums fell significantly over the course of 2024
Many people do not tell their insurer about a minor scratch, fearing that insurance companies will increase their costs. This concern is justified, but technically, insurers will tell you that you should tell them everything.
Daniels says: ‘It’s important to call your insurance provider as soon as possible, even if you don’t plan to file a claim.
‘Give them the details, along with photographs and contact details of witnesses. Many insurers have a section in their policies that requires you to report any and all incidents to them, even if you do not file a claim.
“If you don’t, your insurance could be declared invalid if you file a claim.”
Jones insists on this: ‘Even if other drivers don’t want to file a claim, you should always tell your insurance company if you crash a car. That’s even if you don’t plan to make a claim.’
Will my insurance increase if I report a scratch?
Rhydian Jones of Confused.com responds: ‘When you crash into another car, there’s a chance your premium will increase even if you don’t file a claim on your insurance.
“This is because any incident could be seen as a potential risk by insurers.”
When should you report the incident?
Jones says: “You should report the accident as soon as possible, usually within 24 hours.”
How is an incident reported?
The Road Traffic Act requires that an accident be reported to the police within 24 hours.
Dial 101, the non-emergency police number. Alternatively, most police forces now have online portals where you can fill out a form and report an incident like this.
Don’t worry about this, just give an honest and accurate account of what happened as this will help if any insurance claims are made.
It also means you are covered if someone saw you or if there was CCTV.
What details should I collect?
Once you’ve gotten out of your car and checked the damage, be sure to take plenty of photos or videos.
Also note any conditions or evidence: how the car was parked, for example, or low-light conditions.
If the owner is not there and you can’t see anyone, leave a note on the windshield with your contact details and take a photo of the note on the windshield as proof.
And don’t forget to get your details: the license plate number, the make and model of the car, and the name and number if the owner is present.
What happens if I hit a car but there is no damage?
This is a bit of a gray area because if you are sure there is no damage, then there is no legal precedent that says you should inform the landlord, leave a note, or report an incident since you are not financially responsible.
But not all damage is visible and something may have been lost. So it might be a good idea to report the incident anyway and explain that you didn’t see any damage, but if you’re an upstanding citizen, you’ll report it anyway.
Someone crashed my car, what should I do?
On the other hand, if someone crashes into your car, you also need to take some steps.
Keep your car and take the other person’s details. If they are not there, look for a note.
Inform your insurance company and file a claim if you feel it is necessary, but if it is just a small scratch or bump, it is often easier (and kinder) to deal with it between the two parties.
If you return to your car and find damage from someone hitting it and there is no note, then it is technically a hit and run crime.
Ask if anyone has witnessed anything and make a report to the police, who may be able to help with CCTV cameras.
Inform your insurer as you may be able to claim coverage for collision or uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD).
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