You return to find your car damaged in a parking lot. Or another driver hits your vehicle while reversing. The damage may seem minor, but several important questions immediately arise: does Third-Party Liability Insurance cover parking lot damage, who is responsible for paying for the repairs, and what should you do at the scene?
The short answer is: if another vehicle damages your car and the responsible driver is identified, you may claim compensation under their Third-Party Liability Insurance. If the vehicle responsible cannot be identified, the situation becomes more complicated.
Here is what you need to know in the different scenarios.
Does Third-Party Liability Insurance cover parking lot damage?
Yes. The fact that an accident occurred in a parking lot does not in itself prevent you from claiming compensation under Third-Party Liability Insurance.
For example, if another driver damages your vehicle while parking, pulling out of a parking space or reversing, the resulting damage may be claimed from their Third-Party Liability insurer, provided that the relevant legal requirements are met.
However, it is important to understand how this type of insurance works:
Third-Party Liability Insurance does not cover damage to the at-fault driver's own vehicle. It covers their liability for damage caused to other people and their property.
Therefore, if you are the injured party, the claim is generally made against the at-fault driver's insurer rather than your own Third-Party Liability insurer.
What should you do immediately after a parking lot accident?
Whether the damage appears to be a minor scratch or something more serious, document the incident as thoroughly as possible.
Take photos of:
- both vehicles and their positions after the accident, where possible and safe;
- the damage from close up and from a wider angle;
- the registration plates;
- the location of the accident, road markings and parking spaces;
- any other evidence that could help establish the circumstances of the accident.
Record the details of the other driver and their vehicle. If there are witnesses, obtain their contact details as well.
Do not rush into accepting a verbal agreement such as “I'll pay for the repairs” without properly documenting the incident.
Scenario 1: The at-fault driver is at the scene
This is usually the easiest scenario to resolve.
Where the accident has resulted only in property damage and the parties agree on the circumstances of the accident, Bulgarian law provides for the possibility of completing a bilateral road accident statement.
Complete the information carefully and make sure that the description and diagram accurately reflect what happened.
The injured party may then submit an insurance claim to the at-fault driver's Third-Party Liability insurer.
Scenario 2: You find your car damaged and the responsible driver has left
This is one of the most frustrating situations when dealing with parking lot damage.
You return to your car and discover a scratched door, broken headlight or damaged bumper, but the other vehicle is no longer there.
In this situation, there is no other party present with whom you can complete a bilateral accident statement.
Your first priority should be to try to identify who caused the damage.
Check the area for CCTV cameras. If the parking lot belongs to a shop, shopping centre, office building or residential property, ask whether surveillance footage is available. Check whether anyone witnessed the incident and try to obtain their contact details.
Photograph your vehicle and the location and act promptly – CCTV footage is not always retained for long periods.
In such a situation, it is advisable to notify the competent authorities and follow their instructions.
Scenario 3: The vehicle responsible cannot be identified
There is an important distinction to be aware of in this situation.
If an unidentified vehicle hits your parked car and leaves the scene, your own Third-Party Liability Insurance does not cover the damage to your vehicle.
You should also not automatically assume that the damage will be compensated by the Bulgarian Guarantee Fund simply because the vehicle responsible is unknown. Where damage is caused by an unidentified motor vehicle, Bulgarian law imposes specific conditions on compensation for property damage.
If your vehicle is covered by comprehensive motor insurance (Casco), you should check the terms of your specific policy and notify your insurer in accordance with its requirements.
This is why CCTV footage, witnesses and any other available evidence can be particularly important in such cases.
Scenario 4: The responsible vehicle is identified but does not have valid Third-Party Liability Insurance
This is different from a case involving an unidentified vehicle.
Where the at-fault motor vehicle has been identified but does not have valid compulsory Third-Party Liability Insurance, compensation may, subject to the conditions provided by law, be claimed from the Bulgarian Guarantee Fund.
Therefore, the fact that the at-fault vehicle is uninsured does not necessarily mean that the injured party must personally bear the cost of the damage.
What if you hit another car in a parking lot?
Do not leave the scene simply because the damage appears minor or because you assume that the owner will probably not notice it.
If the owner or driver of the other vehicle is present and the necessary conditions are met, the accident can be documented in accordance with the applicable procedure.
If you are responsible for the damage, your Third-Party Liability Insurance is generally the insurance that covers your liability towards the injured party.
However, this does not mean that your Third-Party Liability Insurance will also cover repairs to your own vehicle.
Do you need to call the Traffic Police after a parking lot accident?
Not every minor accident involving two vehicles requires the Traffic Police to attend the scene.
Where there is only property damage, the parties agree on the circumstances and the applicable legal requirements are met, a bilateral road accident statement may be completed.
However, if the parties disagree about what happened, do not sign a statement describing circumstances with which you disagree. Bulgarian law provides that in such cases the parties should notify the relevant Ministry of Interior authority and follow the instructions provided.
There are also other circumstances in which assistance from the competent authorities should be sought, for example where someone has been injured or there is suspicion that alcohol or drugs are involved.
If you are unsure what to do in your specific situation, call 112 and follow the instructions you receive.
How do you make a Third-Party Liability Insurance claim?
When the at-fault driver and their insurer are known, the injured party can submit a claim for the damage caused.
Typically, a claim file is opened, the required documents are submitted and the insurer carries out an inspection of the vehicle.
Do not underestimate the importance of the inspection.
With modern vehicles, even a relatively minor parking lot collision may involve more than just a scratched bumper. Behind the visible damage, there may be damaged mounting components, sensors, cameras, lights or other parts.
For this reason, follow the appropriate inspection and documentation procedure before carrying out repairs that could make it more difficult to establish the original extent of the damage.
What should you do if the insurer offers too little compensation?
The fact that an insurer has determined a specific amount does not automatically mean that it reflects the full extent of the damage suffered.
If the compensation offered or already paid appears insufficient, check whether:
- all damaged components have been included in the assessment;
- all necessary repair work has been taken into account;
- there is hidden damage that was discovered later;
- the amount determined corresponds to the actual cost required to restore the vehicle.
You do not have to assume that the matter is closed simply because the insurer has already determined or paid compensation.
What if the insurer refuses to pay?
A refusal does not necessarily mean that your claim is definitively lost.
The reason may involve a dispute over how the accident occurred, liability for the accident, the connection between the incident and the specific damage, the evidence provided or other circumstances.
It is therefore important to examine the specific reasons given for the refusal before determining whether there are grounds for further action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Third-Party Liability Insurance cover a parking lot accident?
Yes. If another driver damages your vehicle and the necessary conditions for establishing their liability are met, compensation may be claimed under their Third-Party Liability Insurance.
Can a bilateral accident statement be completed for a parking lot accident?
Yes, provided that the legal requirements are met – including where the accident involves only property damage and the parties agree on the circumstances.
What should I do if someone hits my parked car and drives away?
Photograph the damage and the location, look for witnesses and CCTV footage, and notify the competent authorities promptly where the circumstances require it. Identifying the vehicle responsible is crucial when seeking compensation under its Third-Party Liability Insurance.
Will my own Third-Party Liability Insurance pay if my car has been damaged?
Not simply because you have Third-Party Liability Insurance. This insurance covers your liability for damage caused to other parties, not damage to your own vehicle.
Who pays if the at-fault vehicle does not have Third-Party Liability Insurance?
If the at-fault vehicle has been identified but does not have valid compulsory Third-Party Liability Insurance, compensation may, subject to the conditions established by law, be claimed from the Bulgarian Guarantee Fund.
Will the Guarantee Fund pay if an unidentified vehicle damages my car?
Not in every case. There are significant restrictions on compensation for property damage where the responsible motor vehicle cannot be identified. Therefore, if an unidentified vehicle scratches or damages your parked car and leaves the scene, this does not automatically mean that the repair costs will be covered by the Guarantee Fund.
What can I do if the compensation offered by the insurer is too low?
Check whether all damage has been taken into account and whether the amount of compensation corresponds to the actual loss suffered. Depending on the circumstances, there may be grounds for claiming additional compensation.
Is the insurer delaying payment, refusing your claim or offering insufficient compensation?
The parking lot accident itself may be over in seconds. Resolving the resulting insurance claim can take considerably longer.
If you have a motor insurance claim under Third-Party Liability Insurance or Casco, but the insurer is delaying payment, refusing to pay or has already paid an amount that you believe is insufficient, you can turn to Claimster.
With Claimster, you can sell or assign your insurance claim, or authorise a lawyer to handle matters relating to your compensation.
You receive a fair amount without lengthy delays or disputes with the insurer, while Claimster takes care of the rest.
Have you suffered vehicle damage? Submit your claim to the Claimster team for an assessment.
