Car Accident in a Parking Lot

 How are you covered?

In a car park, stationary or in traffic, even at low speed, you are not immune to a collision... Who is responsible? How to claim your insurance? The point on different scenarios.

SUMMARY

• Who is responsible in the event of a collision in a parking lot?
• How to react and how to be compensated?

Car accident in a parking lot 

Who is responsible in the event of a collision in a parking lot?

When two vehicles collide, the responsibilities are not necessarily the same depending on whether the drivers are driving in a private or public car park.

• On a public car park or a supermarket car park :

The provisions of the Highway Code apply. Compliance with right-hand priority and the use of turn signals are therefore compulsory. Despite a widespread misconception, the faults are not systematically shared in the event of an accident occurring in a public car park.

• To know :

If you brake in order to park , the vehicle behind you does not brake and hits you, he is in principle considered responsible, because he must maintain control of his vehicle.

• You have an accident while reversing : 

You are in principle responsible. If, on the other hand, you are backing up at the same time as another driver and you collide from the rear, the faults can be shared depending on the situation.

If you open the door of your vehicle when stationary and a vehicle hits it , you are considered responsible because your behavior is interfering with the normal circulation of other road users. 

On a private car park , the car park's internal regulations (if there are any) prevail over the rules of the highway code. Each user is required to respect them. The insurers will take into account the rules of procedure to define the respective responsibilities.

How to react and how to be compensated?

Depending on the circumstances of the claim (the perpetrator is identified or not), the steps to be taken are not the same.

• 1st scenario: 

Your vehicle is damaged  but you do not know the perpetrator . The driver who hit your parked car did not leave contact information. Remember to take several photos of the accident damage. They will be a great help for the expert and don't forget to file a complaint.

• 2nd scenario: 

You collide with another vehicle , you must declare the accident and complete a joint report specifying:

1. The exact circumstances of the accident, the damage caused, and whether one of the vehicles was stationary at the time of the incident.
2. The public or private nature of the car park and, where applicable, the rules that apply.
3. If there has been a hit and run, file a complaint with the police and specify it on the report, as well as the characteristics of the vehicle.
4. You then have 5 days to declare the loss to your insurance.

The compensation depends on the contract you have taken out, depending on whether your vehicle is insured against third parties or fully insured :

• You are insured against third parties: 

If you are responsible or if the author of the accident is not known, you will not receive any compensation. If the author is identified and you are not responsible, your repair costs will be borne by the insurer of the person responsible.

• If you are at all risks: 

With this guarantee you are always compensated, whether you are responsible or not. Even if the responsible driver is not identified, the damage is covered by your all-accident damage guarantee . You will not be penalized if you were parked correctly.

Conclusion:

Private or public parking, parking in the street... MAIF guarantees you unconditionally.

Your vehicle is damaged in a car park: our all-risk formulas cover you in all circumstances (parking accident, vandalism, etc.).