Low speeds do not mean low stakes. Parking lots pack a lot of cars, pedestrians, shopping carts and distracted drivers into a small space, and minor collisions there are extremely common. Because the dent is usually small and nobody is in a hurry to call the police, these incidents often leave people unsure what to do next and whose insurance should pay. Here is a clear look at the most common parking lot situations and how insurance typically sorts them out.

Scenario 1: You Bumped Into a Parked Car

It happens to careful drivers: a misjudged turn, a sneaky pole, a car parked a little too close. What you do in the next ten minutes matters more than the scratch itself.

1. Stay put. Leaving without notifying the owner can be treated as a hit-and-run in most states, even for minor damage. Penalties can include fines, license consequences and in some cases criminal charges.
2. Make the area safe. Turn on your hazard lights if your car is blocking a lane, and watch for other traffic while you look at the damage.
3. Try to find the owner. At a store, ask an employee to make an announcement with the car’s make, model and color. At a quick-stop location, waiting a few minutes may be enough.
4. Leave a note if you cannot find them. Include your name, phone number and a short description of what happened. Tuck it securely under a wiper blade.
5. Take photos. Capture both vehicles, the position of the cars and your note on the windshield.
6. Call the police if needed. For more than a scrape, or if your state requires a report, call the local non-emergency line.
7. Let your agent know. Many policies require you to report incidents promptly, even if you are not sure you will file a claim.

In this situation, your liability coverage is generally what pays to repair the other car. If you also want repairs to your own vehicle covered, that typically falls under collision coverage, subject to your deductible.

Scenario 2: You Came Back to a Dent and No Note

Few things are more frustrating. If the other driver left contact information, their liability coverage should generally pay for your repairs. If they did not, start investigating right away:

• Photograph the damage, your car’s location and anything nearby, such as paint transfer.
• Ask people in the area whether anyone saw what happened and get their contact details.
• Ask the store or property manager whether security cameras cover the lot; footage is often overwritten quickly.
• File a police report, which may be required for certain claims.
• Contact your agent to talk through your options.

If the other driver cannot be identified, or turns out to be uninsured or underinsured, you will usually look to your own policy. Collision coverage can pay for repairs, minus your deductible. In some states, uninsured motorist property damage coverage may apply to hit-and-run damage, sometimes with its own deductible. Whether that option exists, and how it works, depends on your state and policy.

Scenario 3: Two Drivers Backed Into Each Other

Two cars reversing out of opposite spaces at the same moment is a classic parking lot crash. Fault is not always obvious, and different states use different rules to assign it.

Rules of thumb exist. A driver in a through lane generally has the right of way over someone pulling out of a space, for example. But insurers and adjusters look at the specific facts, so photos and witness statements are valuable.

Don’t Forget About Injuries

Most parking lot collisions are minor, but pedestrians are a real risk, and even a slow impact can cause injuries. If someone is hurt, call for help first. Bodily injury liability on the at-fault driver’s policy typically pays for injuries to others. Medical payments coverage or personal injury protection, depending on your state, may help with your own medical bills. Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage, required in some states and optional in others, can help if the at-fault driver lacks enough insurance.

Avoiding the Problem Altogether

A few habits go a long way. Park farther from the entrance, where traffic is lighter. Choose pull-through spaces so you can drive out forward. Back in when it is safe so you exit with better visibility. Put the phone away until you are parked, use your mirrors and backup camera together, and creep slowly when reversing.

This article is for general information only. Coverage and fault rules vary by insurer, policy and state; review your own policy or talk with a licensed agent about your situation.