Coming back to a dented, scraped, or damaged car in a car park or on a street is a particularly infuriating experience. You did nothing wrong — you parked legally, walked away, and returned to find damage. In many cases, the driver who caused it has left without a word. Here's how to handle it, what to do immediately, and what your options are for a replacement car.

What to do immediately when you find your car has been hit

The first few minutes matter. Before you call anyone or start making decisions, document everything:

Take photos immediately — the damage to your vehicle, the location, any debris, paint transfer, or skid marks nearby
Check for a note left under the wiper or tucked under the door handle. Some drivers do the right thing.
Note the time and precise location — which car park, which level, which street and direction
Look around for CCTV cameras — on the building, in the car park, on nearby businesses or traffic infrastructure
Ask nearby businesses or car park operators if they have footage. Do this quickly — many systems overwrite after 24–72 hours
Look for witnesses — anyone who saw the incident or who was parked nearby and may have seen or heard something

If you're in a managed car park, speak to the operator immediately. They often have CCTV coverage and a process for reporting incidents.

How to find the at-fault driver

Even without seeing the accident happen, identifying the other driver is sometimes possible:

Police can help — if you report promptly, they can check CCTV from traffic cameras and other public systems faster than you can. A partial registration plate combined with a vehicle description is often enough to narrow down the vehicle.
Car park CCTV — request footage promptly and in writing. Specify the time window and parking zone.
Witness evidence — a bystander who noted the plate or saw the driver is valuable. Ask around.
Paint transfer — the colour and type of paint left on your vehicle can help identify the other vehicle's make and colour

Even a partial registration plate — say, three digits and the state — combined with a vehicle description (white Toyota SUV, for example) can significantly narrow the search.

Do you have to report it to police?

In Victoria, you must report an accident to police where a driver fails to stop and exchange details. If the driver who hit your parked car left without leaving information, that is a fail-to-stop offence and you should report it.

A police event number serves several purposes:

It formally records the incident
It gives investigators a reference point for CCTV requests
It is important for both insurance and credit hire purposes
It establishes a timeline if the other driver is identified later

Are you entitled to a replacement car if your parked car was hit?

Potentially, yes — subject to eligibility. The key conditions for a credit hire claim are:

Another vehicle was involved (not a single-vehicle event)
You were not at fault (you were legally parked)
The at-fault driver or their insurer can be identified

If all three conditions are met, you may be entitled to a like-for-like replacement vehicle while yours is being repaired, with no upfront hire charge. The hire company seeks to recover costs from the at-fault insurer.

If the driver cannot be identified: Options are more limited. Check your own comprehensive policy for uninsured motorist or hit-and-run protection. Some policies cover parking damage even when the driver is unknown. Your own excess would typically apply.

What if the driver left the scene?

Call us on 0423 022 881 and describe your situation. In some cases — particularly where a partial plate, witness, or CCTV exists — there may still be a path to a replacement vehicle once the driver is identified.

Don't assume your options are exhausted before speaking to someone. The situation is often more recoverable than it first appears.

What if the damage is minor?

For minor cosmetic damage, you may choose not to make any claim at all — particularly if the repair cost would be less than or close to your policy excess. Before deciding:

Get a written repair quote from a licensed repairer
Compare the cost to your excess
Consider whether having the damage recorded on your insurance history is worth it for a small repair

There is no obligation to claim. Sometimes paying for minor repairs privately is the simplest outcome.

If your parked car has been damaged by another driver and you need a replacement while it's repaired, visit 888 Car Hire's not-at-fault car hire Melbourne page or call us on 0423 022 881 to discuss your situation.