Guides and tips
Whether you’re pulling in or out of a parking space, minor dents and scratches are not uncommon. But what should you do if you damage another vehicle, and what are the consequences of driving off? On this page, you’ll find out why leaving the scene of an accident without permission is a criminal offence, how long you should wait for the other party, and why leaving a note on the windscreen isn’t enough.
Tight parking bays, impatient drivers who make you feel flustered when reversing into a space, or confusing situations in the supermarket car park – when parking, it’s all too easy to accidentally bump into another vehicle.
One in five German drivers has accidentally damaged another car whilst parking at some point. But what happens next? Call the police, wait, or simply leave your contact details?
A parking bump usually results in only minor damage, as speeds are generally quite low when parking. The less serious the damage, the greater the temptation to simply leave a note behind the windscreen and drive off.
But be careful! Anyone who simply leaves a note with their contact details after a parking bump is committing an offence. You risk a fine, penalty points in Flensburg and having your driving licence revoked, as parking damage is legally classified as an accident. Furthermore, you also risk losing your insurance cover.
As a general rule, therefore, even in the case of a minor parking bump, you should take the same steps as you would for a normal accident: first of all, you must exchange insurance and personal details with the other party.
Regardless of how serious the damage is, you are obliged to wait for a reasonable period of time at the scene of the accident.
However, to ensure you do not have to spend the night in the car park, the law refers to ‘a reasonable period of time’. A waiting time of at least half an hour is considered reasonable. In a supermarket car park, for example, it can be assumed that the owner of the damaged vehicle has only popped in to do some shopping and will be back shortly. However, if the injured party does not return promptly, you should inform the police immediately and report the accident. It is best not to wait too long to do this, otherwise you may be liable to prosecution for hit-and-run. You would also incur a 3-point penalty in Flensburg.
If one of the vehicles was stationary at the time of the collision, the motor vehicle liability insurance of the party solely responsible will generally cover the repair costs.
If both vehicles were in motion at the time of the accident in the car park, insurance companies usually agree on a 50-50 split. However, if the person responsible has made a run for it, the victim is usually left to foot the bill – unless they have comprehensive cover.
By the way: you still have one option if the person responsible for the accident does not report the damage. If you know their address and vehicle registration number, you can contact the central enquiry service for car insurers to find out which insurance company is responsible, and then file a claim. You can also, of course, try to find any witnesses to the accident.
It is worth checking, before the claim is settled, whether your no-claims discount will change and, as a result, your premium might increase. In some cases, it is cheaper for the policyholder to pay the repair costs themselves.
A slightly scratched bumper can often conceal expensive sensors or damaged support beams. Ensure your claims are properly assessed with an independent report so that you aren’t left footing the bill.
