Questions & answers · Car insurance
Someone hit my parked car in Texas and drove off. What was the driver supposed to do, and what can I do?
Car insuranceWho paysTexasChecked Nov 5, 2026
From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-05 · Source: Texas Transportation Code · Chapter 550 (Accidents and Accident Reports) · Sec. 550.024(a), (b) View original ↗
In short
- Texas law says a driver who hits an unattended car must stop.
- The driver must find the owner or leave a written note with a name and address.
- TDI says your own insurance may help if the other driver drove away.
What this means
This answer uses Texas sources only.
The Texas Transportation Code says the operator of a vehicle that collides with and damages an unattended vehicle shall immediately stop and either locate the operator or owner of the unattended vehicle and give that person the name and address of the operator and the owner of the vehicle, or leave a written notice in a conspicuous place on the unattended vehicle. The notice must give the name and address of the operator and the owner and a statement of the circumstances of the collision. Breaking this rule is an offense.
TDI says that if the other driver drove away without stopping, you can use your own insurance. It says uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage also pays for hit and run accidents if the other driver drove away and you did not get their insurance information. It says collision coverage will pay your repair costs.
Your next step
Check your car and the area for a note. If there is none, TDI says to use your own insurance. The sources do not state a deadline for reporting a hit and run to your insurer; check your policy.
Check it yourself
Open the Transportation Code page and find Sec. 550.024. Open the TDI page and read "Use your insurance."
Where this comes from (2)
[1] Texas Transportation Code · Chapter 550 (Accidents and Accident Reports) · Sec. 550.024(a), (b) · checked 2026-11-05
Sec. 550.024. DUTY ON STRIKING UNATTENDED VEHICLE. (a) The operator of a vehicle that collides with and damages an unattended vehicle shall immediately stop and: (1) locate the operator or owner of the unattended vehicle and give that person the name and address of the operator and the owner of the vehicle that struck the unattended vehicle; or (2) leave in a conspicuous place in, or securely attach in a plainly visi…
[2] TDI · checked 2026-11-05
Your next option is to file a claim with your own car insurance. If you have collision coverage, it will pay your repair costs. If you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, it will pay if the at-fault driver didn’t have insurance or enough insurance to pay your car repairs. It also pays for hit and run accidents if the other driver drove away and you didn’t get their insurance information.
How we found this
We matched your question to 2 official sources, quoted the exact lines, and re-checked each quote against its source on 2026-11-05.
What we don’t know yet
Your own plan or notice may say something different. If your letter cites another rule, send it and we will look again.
Every answer is checked against the official rule it quotes.
Information only — not legal advice. Your plan, insurer or agency decides.
This answer quotes the official sources listed above, with the date we checked them. Your own policy, notice and state rules control. We are not your lawyer or your insurer. We don’t file, argue or negotiate claims for you — you send any letter or form yourself.
Related answers
- The other driver had no insurance. Who pays for my car repairs?
- Who pays for my rental car after a crash, and am I covered driving a rental?
- Will my car insurance cover me while I drive for a ride-hailing or delivery app?
- I rented a car in California and it got damaged or stolen — do I have to pay, and does my own car insurance or credit card cover it?
Answer id CQ3075. Spotted an error? Tell us.