22/05/2026
Have you ever damaged someone’s vehicle in a car park, or come back to your car to find a new dent or scratch on the paintwork? Collisions in car parks are surprisingly common, so it’s useful to know what to do if you find yourself in a car park with a damaged car.
It can be infuriating to find your parked car damaged, but it’s even more so when the person who damaged it didn't leave their details. So here's your car park collision checklist, with a few tips to help you know what to do if it happens to you.
What can I do if someone damages my parked car?
- Report the incident: the car park security or mall firm may have CCTV footage that’s captured the entire event, which can help identify the person responsible. You may want to consider reporting the incident to the police.
- Look for witnesses: other drivers or people who work in the mall may have witnessed the incident. If you’ve seen someone else damaging a parked car, pass on any information you have to the innocent party.
- Check your insurance cover: different policies often offer different levels of cover, so it's important to check your policy wording. For AA Insurance customers, our Comprehensive Car Insurance policy covers damage to your car, whether you find the person responsible or not.
- Get in touch with your insurer: they can advise on next steps based on the type of cover you have. If the damage is minor and can be repaired for less than the cost of your excess, you may want to consider paying for the repairs out of your own pocket.
What can I do if I've damaged someone else's parked car?
If you’ve damaged someone else's car, these are your obligations, as outlined in the New Zealand Road Code:
- If you damage someone else's property, you’re legally required to give your contact details and registration number to the owner within 48 hours, unless of course you can’t because of injury.
- If you hit a parked car or are involved in a collision, and don't know who the owner is or how to contact them, you should report it to the police within 60 hours. You can leave a note with your details tucked under the windscreen wipers of the other person’s car.
You can find more about the road code and driving in New Zealand on Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency’s website.
Any questions?
Now’s a great time to review your insurance. We recommend checking your details are up to date and ensuring the policy and cover you’ve chosen is right for you and your insurance needs.
If you have any questions about your insurance, need to update your AA Insurance policies or would like a quote, don’t hesitate to contact us. You can find our opening hours and ways to get in touch with us on our contact page.
This blog provides general information only and is not intended to be a recommendation or personalised financial advice. Excesses, terms, conditions, limits and exclusions apply to AA Insurance Limited’s policies. Please check the policy wording and your policy schedule for details of cover. The provision of cover is subject to the underwriting criteria that apply at the time.
