If you hit a parked car in your driveway, you need to call your insurance provider right away to let them know. Whether you file a claim to cover the damage or not is up to you. But let’s assume you want to move forward with a claim.

If you’re the at-fault driver, your insurance company will make the payout for the claim. The less time you wait to make a claim, the more likely you will secure a favorable outcome.

Just like any claims process, you will need to collect information from the other driver. It’s a good idea to take photographs of the scene, too—just in case they might be helpful later on.

The ownership of the car you hit can make a difference in terms of deductible payouts. If you hit one of your own vehicles in the driveway, you might be on the hook for two deductibles. If another driver owns the car, the deductible for the not-at-fault driver will likely be waived.

If you hit a family member’s car

If you hit a friend or family member’s car, you’ll need to handle it like any other claim.

Almost all states require drivers to carry a minimum amount of

property damage liability insurance

that will help take care of the damage to the other car. But if your own vehicle needs repairs, you will need to have a

collision insurance

policy in place to claim those expenses.

Assuming that you were the at-fault driver, you will probably see a surcharge on your premium at your next renewal. Insurance providers

typically increase rates

if you have an at-fault accident on your recent driving record—and this applies even if the accident was in your own driveway or there was only damage to one vehicle.

If you hit your own car

If you crash into a car you own, you’ll need a collision insurance policy for each vehicle you want to claim for. You might also be responsible for paying two deductibles.

Liability insurance

will only cover the expenses incurred by another party if you are at fault. The problem here is that when you hit your own car, you are the only party involved. This means that your minimum state-mandated insurance won’t cut it.

If you hit a car while pulling out of your driveway

If you hit a car while backing out of your driveway you will probably be considered at fault, even if the vehicle was parked illegally. Most states consider it the driver’s responsibility to safely navigate obstacles—even ones that shouldn’t be there.

You could hire a lawyer, but it’s much quicker and easier just to let your insurance cover it. Your car insurance adjuster will find a way to hold the other driver responsible if there is one.

Key Takeaway While the outcome might differ depending on who owns the car you hit, the process is much the same. The first thing you’ll need to do is report the accident to your insurer.

MORE:

What is an SR22 insurance form?

Do I pay for the claim myself?

If the damage is minor or you want to avoid filing a claim, you may choose to pay for the damage yourself. This is typically the most practical way to handle things if the damage to both cars is minimal.

Note that if you handle a claim yourself and the other driver sues, you could be left with little legal recourse. The insurance company might not be able to defend you if you didn’t officially file a claim.

Here are some questions to ask yourself when deciding whether or not to file a claim with your insurer:

Is the damage less than the deductible amount?

If so, filing a claim with your insurance company might not be worth it. You’ll end up paying more than you would if you dealt with the cost of repairs out of pocket.

That said, filing a claim with your insurance provider can help you avoid any threat of lawsuits.

Do the repair costs exceed the deductible?

Even if the repair costs are slightly higher than the deductible, you might consider covering the costs out of pocket. When you file an insurance claim for an at-fault accident, your insurance company could increase your premium.

Some insurance companies offer

accident forgiveness

programs if you haven’t had an at-fault accident. If this is the case, you could save money by letting your insurance provider handle the damage.

Have you filed other claims in the past three years?

If you already have one or more at-fault accidents on your record in the past few years, you could face hefty insurance increases if you make another claim.

Need to cut your insurance costs? Keep the coverage and find the savings using the

licensed broker

and insurance shopping app

Jerry

Key Takeaway If there is minimal damage to both cars, you might consider paying for it yourself instead of filing an insurance claim.

MORE:

Do I need auto insurance even if I don't have a car?

RECOMMENDED

Compare auto insurance policies

No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms

ZIP Code

Find insurance savings

What if you hit a car with no insurance on your driveway?

Usually you can turn to uninsured motorist coverage. It's typically an add-on for most insurance packages, and relieves you of some financial responsibility, especially if you were at fault. It's illegal to drive without insurance, so even if you're in the wrong, the uninsured party may face some legal trouble.

Someone hit my car. Will my insurance go up?

It depends on the specifics of the accident. Ultimately, it's down to your insurance company to hash out how premiums and costs might change. However, insurance costs for no-fault drivers do tend to increase by around 10%.

Finding the best insurance rates after an accident

If you’ve had to file a claim after hitting a parked car in your driveway, now is the ideal time to shop around for insurance savings. Some insurance providers offer more affordable coverage than others for drivers who have less-than-perfect driving records.

If you don’t want to fill out endless forms for online quotes,

Jerry

can help. Jerry is your ultra-talented car insurance broker for life. No need to sit across from him at a desk—Jerry is an app! It takes less than a minute to sign up, and you’ll be presented with competitive rates from up to 45 top providers.

Even better, once you make your pick, Jerry does all the paperwork for you. You’ll never have to print out anything, go to the post office, or get on the phone. Jerry handles it all—including your renewals.

"This is the most helpful app I’ve ever downloaded. In a matter of MINUTES, I was able to get multiple quotes, cancel my policy, start my new one, AND save $230 a month. Jerry automatically generates quotes every five months to make sure you’re paying the lowest possible price. You can do everything within the app. There’s absolutely no runaround. And the best part is that I didn’t get 100 calls from random scammers. 10/10 highly recommended." — SatisfiedJerry User

RECOMMENDED