If someone hits your parked car and leaves, stay near the vehicle, photograph the damage, and look for witnesses or nearby security cameras. Report the incident to the police and notify your insurance company, even if you do not know who caused the damage. If the at-fault driver is never found, collision coverage generally pays for vehicle repairs if your policy includes it, while uninsured motorist coverage in New Hampshire generally applies to bodily injury rather than vehicle damage. Auto Collision Center of Exeter offers professional auto body repair in Exeter, NH, that drivers can trust in such situations.
Key Takeaways
- Take photos right away. This step supports your claim.
- Property damage is common. According to an AutoInsurance.com analysis of NHTSA crash data and AAA Foundation research covering 2018 through 2022, approximately 74% of reported hit-and-run crashes involved property damage only.
- AutoInsurance.com’s analysis ranked New Hampshire among the states with the lowest fatal hit-and-run rates per capita during the study period.
- Collision coverage is typically the primary source of payment when an unidentified driver damages your parked vehicle, provided your policy includes collision coverage.
What Should You Do Right After Finding Your Car Damaged?
What you do in the next few minutes matters most for your claim.
Immediate Steps
- Stay at the scene to check for a note or a nearby driver.
- Photograph the damage from several angles, plus the parking area.
- Ask nearby businesses about camera footage. Many systems erase recordings within days.
- Write down the time and location while it’s still fresh.
How Do You Report a Hit-and-Run in New Hampshire?
Call the non-emergency police line, then contact your insurer the same day. A report gives your insurer a record either way.
New Hampshire’s Conduct After Accident law (RSA 264:25) requires a driver who strikes an unattended vehicle to stop and make a reasonable effort to notify the owner or leave identifying information. New Hampshire does not require all drivers to carry auto insurance, so the at-fault driver may be uninsured. A police report creates an official record of the incident and can support both the insurance claim and any applicable reporting requirements under New Hampshire law. Drivers often think nothing can be done without a name or a plate number. A police report and clear photos still give your insurer enough to work with.
What Happens If the Other Driver Is Never Found?
Hit-and-run cases are often unsolved. In New Hampshire, uninsured motorist coverage generally applies to injuries rather than vehicle damage, so collision coverage is typically what pays to repair your car when the other driver is never found. At Auto Collision Center of Exeter, our team works with every insurance carrier to provide auto body repair in Exeter, NH, regardless of which coverage applies.
Coverage by Situation
| Situation | Coverage That Applies | What You’ll Need |
| Driver identified, insured | Their liability coverage | Police report if available, their insurance info, photos |
| Driver identified, uninsured | Your collision coverage | Police report if available, driver’s identity, photos |
| Driver never found | Your collision coverage | Police report, photos, witness or camera details |
What Do We Need to Start Your Repair?
We can prepare a written estimate before your insurance claim is finished. A police report helps but isn’t required.
We document every vehicle with photos and a hands-on inspection, supporting your claim either way.
As a family-owned local shop, we handle car body repair in Exeter, NH, with care, whatever caused the damage. Our limited lifetime warranty stays active for the entire time you keep the vehicle. Local drivers count on us for repairs that protect resale value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will filing a hit-and-run claim raise my insurance rates?
Comprehensive and collision claims may have less impact on premiums than an at-fault collision, although rate changes depend on your insurer, policy, and claims history. However, they can still lead to increases depending on the insurer and claim history. In New Hampshire, there is no blanket law preventing rate increases after a not-at-fault claim, so it’s best to check with your insurer.
Does a hit-and-run repair show up on a vehicle history report?
A police report or insurance claim can appear on a vehicle history report, since CARFAX pulls data from both. A properly repaired, documented vehicle protects resale value more than one left unrepaired. Verification is part of our auto body repair services.
What if security footage turns up after you file a police report?
Give the police your case number and the video right away. The footage may still help support your claim and clarify what happened.
Get Help With Your Repair Today
A hit-and-run on a parked car is stressful, but the right steps protect both your claim and your vehicle. If you are in Exeter, NH, auto body repair services are available at Auto Collision Center of Exeter. Contact us at (603) 772-0214 or accofexeter@gmail.com.