What to Do if you Hit a Parked Car? Steps to Handle a Claim

Parking mishaps happen, and today’s high-tech cars can conceal delicate electronics worth thousands of dollars beneath bumpers. If you bumped into another parked car, you might be liable for damages — even if there is no visible damage. In a collision, it is crucial to act swiftly and calmly to minimize the potential consequences. If you have not sustained serious injuries, it is important to follow these steps promptly.

Damage Control

It is crucial to take certain measures to ensure safety at the accident scene. Firstly, if there has been any gasoline spillage, ensure that all damaged vehicles’ ignitions are turned off and that any cigars or cigarettes are properly extinguished.

When to Contact the Police

In any accident involving injuries or fatalities, a hit-and-run incident, an impaired driver, an out-of-province vehicle, or if a vehicle needs to be towed from the scene, it is crucial to notify the police immediately. Please be prepared to provide precise details about the accident’s location, the number of individuals injured, the severity of their injuries, and any additional support services that may be required. This could include ambulance services, firefighting assistance, rescue operations or towing facilities.

Take Photographs of the Accident

To document the scene of a collision, it is crucial to capture photographs of the crash site, the vehicles involved, and the state of the road. Before discussing any details about fault or liability with your insurance adjuster, refrain from admitting responsibility. Your adjuster will utilize these photos to determine if you are at fault for the accident and establish a percentage of liability. Unless you are prepared to handle repairs independently without assistance from your insurance company, avoid offering or accepting payment for any damages.

Photograph the damage to both cars and the license plate numbers of both cars. Many insurers recommend speaking with witnesses and writing down their contact information.

1. What should you do if you can’t locate the vehicle owner to exchange insurance information?

As a driver in Saskatchewan, you must disclose your full name, address, driver’s license number, and vehicle license plate number to any individuals involved in an accident, regardless of its severity. Additionally, it is important to make note of the license plate numbers of all vehicles participating in the collision. If you have been waiting for some time and the vehicle’s owner has not returned, it is necessary to leave a note.

However, if you are concerned about disclosing personal information in public, provide a means for the driver to contact you for further communication.

2. What are the potential consequences of leaving the scene of an accident?

It’s illegal to leave the scene of an accident. Simply driving away can result in hit-and-run charges, with consequences ranging from fines to license suspension to jail time, depending on where you live and the circumstances. Bear in mind that it’s tougher to hide our actions these days. The chances are good that someone saw the accident — and if no person saw it, a security camera in the area almost certainly did. A conviction for hit and run will affect insurance rates in most cases.

3. What should you do if you don’t have your insurer’s name and policy number on hand?

If you have an auto insurance policy or Auto Pak, it is important to note that you should not share it with the vehicle owner. However, when filing a claim on your insurance or seeking repairs for any damages to your own vehicle, having your policy information readily available is essential. This will expedite the claim process when reporting it to SGI. Additionally, having your driver’s license and vehicle registration on hand is advisable to provide those details. By adhering to these guidelines, you can ensure a smooth and efficient resolution of any insurance-related matters.

An exception to this, however, is in situations where a non-Saskatchewan vehicle is involved or if the accident occurs outside Saskatchewan’s jurisdictional boundaries, you are also obligated to provide information regarding your vehicle insurer in this instance. If your Auto Insurance policy is provided through SGI, you can log into your MySGI account to find these details. Otherwise, you’ll want to contact your broker, who can provide your policy information.

Alternatively, you can contact the local police and let law enforcement interview any potential witnesses. In some states or provinces, a legal requirement is to contact the police if you can’t locate the vehicle owner to exchange insurance information.

Contact your insurance company with details of the accident. Your insurer needs to be notified of any claims as soon as possible.

• SGI Claims: You can file your claim online using their 24/7 service, eClaim!
• Other Insurer Claims: Contact us! We can search to see if you have an Auto Pak with us and report it to your insurer on your behalf.

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