Parking damage without a note: what do you do and how do you fill out the claim form

You come back to the car and see a dent or a long scratch – but no note in the windshield wiper. Parking damage without an identified liable party is unfortunately common, but there is a tidy way to handle it so that you document the damage correctly for the insurance company.

What counts as parking damage without a note

A typical parking damage without a note is damage that occurred while the car was parked, where you do not know who bumped into you. It can be:

• Dent in a door or fender from a car door
• Scratches in the bumper or paintwork, often from maneuvering in tight spaces
• Damage to a mirror
• Wheel arch/rim scuffs (can also come from a curb, so documentation is important)

From an insurance perspective, this will often be handled as damage with an unknown liable party. Which coverage applies (comprehensive/partial comprehensive/liability) and what you pay in deductible varies between companies and terms.

First steps when you discover the damage

1) Check whether there is a note or a digital message

Look carefully around the car: under the wiper, in the door handle, and on the ground. Some leave a note in a crack by the window or send a message via a number lookup (for example if they have found the owner in another way). Note everything you find, including incomplete license plate numbers or phone numbers.

2) Document before you do anything else

Good documentation makes it easier for the insurance company to understand the sequence of events and assess the damage.

• Photos of the whole car from all sides (shows that the car was actually parked and provides an overall impression).
• Close-ups of the damage in good light, preferably from multiple angles.
• Photos of the surroundings: parking space, markings, any poles/walls, and how tight it is between the cars.
• Time and place: write down address/place name, date and approximate time of when the car was last undamaged and when you discovered the damage.

If there are paint residues from the other party left behind, take clear photos before you wash or wipe anything off.

3) Look for witnesses and cameras

Ask people nearby, employees in a shop/mall, or other car owners who were parked next to you. Ask for name and phone number if someone has seen something. Also ask whether there are surveillance cameras that cover the area.

Practical tip: Many camera recordings are deleted quickly (sometimes within a few days). It may therefore pay off to notify the place immediately, so they can secure relevant time periods.

4) When should you contact the police

In pure parking damage cases without personal injury, it is not always necessary to contact the police right away, but it may be relevant to report if you suspect deliberate vandalism, hit-and-run, or if you have concrete information about a vehicle that can be traced. The police have information about reporting and procedure on their website: Police – report.

If you are unsure, also check your terms: some insurance companies may request a police report in certain situations, for example in cases of vandalism.

Which insurance covers parking damage without a known liable party

The main rule in Norway is that liability insurance covers damage you cause to others, while damage to your own car requires separate coverage (typically partial comprehensive or comprehensive) – with some exceptions. For parking damage without a known liable party, it is common that you need comprehensive insurance to have the actual dent/scratch damage to your car covered.

• If you have comprehensive: The damage can be reported under comprehensive, and you normally pay the deductible according to the terms.
• If you have partial comprehensive: Parking dents/scratches are often not covered, but check the terms – partial comprehensive typically covers fire, theft, glass, roadside assistance, etc.
• If you only have liability: Damage to your own car is normally not covered.

What happens to your bonus, and the size of the deductible, varies from company to company and from contract to contract. For an overall explanation of vehicle liability and the insurance obligation, you can read at the Norwegian Public Roads Administration: Norwegian Public Roads Administration – owning and maintaining a vehicle.

How to fill out the claim form when the other party is unknown

When you don’t have another party to fill it out together with, the claim form is primarily about providing as accurate a picture as possible of what happened, and attaching documentation that supports it.

Information you should always include

• Date and time window: When did you park, and when did you discover the damage.
• Place: Address, parking lot/name of mall, floor/area if relevant.
• Incident description: “The car was parked. Discovered damage upon return. Liable party unknown.”
• Point of damage: Which part of the car is damaged (e.g., right rear door, front bumper).
• Photos: Attach both overview photos and close-ups.
• Any traces: paint transfer, plastic debris, height of scrape marks, footprints in snow, etc.
• Witnesses/cameras: name/phone of witnesses, and who you have been in contact with regarding cameras.

A sketch even if you don’t know the other party

Many underestimate how useful a simple sketch is. Draw in:

• parking bays and how the car was positioned
• driving direction in/out of the space
• obstacles (pillar, wall, shopping cart rack)
• where on the car the damage is relative to the bay

The sketch doesn’t have to be “pretty” – it just needs to make the situation understandable.

Common mistakes that make the claim form weaker

• Too vague wording: “Came back and the car was damaged” without time, place, or photos.
• Lack of overview photos: Only a close-up makes it difficult to assess context.
• Guessing presented as fact: Write “suspect” or “may indicate” rather than stating something you don’t know for sure.
• Repairing before you report: Wait with repairs until you have clarified with the insurance company/workshop, unless the car is a traffic hazard.

That’s why it pays to use a digital claim form

Parking damage without a note often means more back and forth: you need to collect photos, describe well, and submit everything correctly the first time. With Skademeldinger.no you can fill out the claim form digitally with a clear structure, upload photos along the way, and sign electronically. If the other party later comes forward (for example via a note afterwards or a witness who finds the license plate number), you can also fill out a joint version and get a claim form with both parties’ information and digital signing, ready to be submitted to the insurance company.

If the other party shows up later

Sometimes the liable party comes back: they don’t find the owner there and leave a note later, or they contact the parking company which in turn contacts you. Then it’s smart to:

• Compare their explanation with your photos and times.
• Exchange contact information and insurance company/policy details.
• Fill out the claim form together so that both describe the incident while it is fresh.

When you fill it out together, it also becomes easier to include the correct license plate number, driver details, and a shared sketch. Skademeldinger.no is made precisely so that both can contribute in the same completion and sign digitally without meeting physically.

How to assess whether you should report the damage or pay yourself

It’s tempting to “handle it privately,” especially if the damage seems small. Before you decide, consider:

• Cost vs. deductible: If the repair costs about the same as the deductible, there may be little to gain.
• Possible bonus impact: Some companies have their own rules for loss of bonus for comprehensive claims; this varies and is stated in your terms.
• Extent of the damage: Small scratches can hide broken clips/mounts behind the bumper or damage to a sensor/mount.
• Leasing/loan car requirements: With leasing you may be obliged to repair damage in a specific way before return.

Feel free to get a non-binding assessment at a workshop, but wait to start repairs if the insurance company requires an estimate or wants to see the damage first.

Workshop, estimate and rental car

When the damage is reported, the insurance company will normally guide you through the further process: appraisal, choice of workshop and possibly a rental car. Coverage for a rental car depends on your agreement and the cause of the damage, and some have it as an add-on. Ask the insurance company to confirm in writing what is covered before you book a rental car.

If the car has advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), an apparently simple bumper damage may require calibration after repair. This can affect price and time, so good documentation and a correct damage description are useful.

Checklist you can follow on site

• Take 10–15 photos: overview + close-ups + surroundings.
• Note the time window: last undamaged and the time you discovered the damage.
• Look for witnesses and ask for contact info.
• Ask about cameras and request that recordings are secured.
• Fill out the claim form with “unknown liable party” and attach documentation.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to fill out a claim form even if I don’t know who did it

If you want to use the insurance, yes: a claim form (digital or paper) is normally the basis for the insurance company to process the case. Without another party, the quality of your documentation becomes especially important.

Can the insurance company find the liable party for me

Sometimes the liable party can be identified via witnesses or cameras, but the insurance company depends on information you can obtain. Therefore start by securing traces and contacting the location quickly.

What if I think the damage may be from before

If you are unsure whether the damage is new, be honest in the claim form and attach what you have. Photos of the car from earlier (for example from a sales ad, service/condition report, or your own photos) can also help.

Sources and useful links

• Police – report
• Norwegian Public Roads Administration – owning and maintaining a vehicle
• Norwegian Public Roads Administration
• Finance Norway

Note: The rules and routines around deductibles, loss of bonus, documentation requirements, and coverage may vary between insurance companies and insurance agreements. Always check your terms or ask your company if you are in doubt.