How Does My B.C. Car Insurance Cover a Parking Lot Accident?

October 6, 2025

You’ve had a parking lot accident. How does your B.C. car insurance handle insurance claims for parking lot accidents?

In British Columbia, your car insurance handles insurance claims for parking lot accidents the same way it does other vehicle collisions. Fault is determined based on the circumstances and applicable traffic laws.

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Let’s take a look at insurance coverage for parking lot accidents in British Columbia.

How is fault determined in a parking lot accident in B.C.?

ICBC determines fault based on the circumstances and applicable traffic laws. It’s a myth that all parking lot accidents are 50/50 fault.

If you are at fault, your auto premiums may increase. Your Basic Autoplan will cover the other vehicle/property. Your optional collision coverage would cover your own vehicle.

If you are not at fault, your own car is covered by DCPD (Depreciation Coverage), and if you were involved in a parked car collision, you would not be considered at fault.

Important: If you hit a parked car, you are responsible for leaving a note with your contact information, and not doing so can result in a hit-and-run charge in B.C.

ICBC coverage

At-fault accidents: If you are found to be at fault in a parking lot accident, your Basic Autoplan covers the damage and injuries to others. Your collision coverage will cover the damage to your vehicle, minus your deductible.

Not-at-fault accidents: If you are not at fault, the damage to the other car is covered by their insurance. If your car is hit while parked legally, and it is not your fault, DCPD (Direct Compensation for Property Damage) coverage is applied through their insurance.

No coverage: Without the appropriate car insurance coverage, you would be responsible for paying out-of-pocket for any damages you cause.

Fault determination: There is no 50/50 rule: The idea that two cars in a parking lot are automatically 50/50 at fault is a myth.

Best practices to avoid parking lot accidents in B.C.

• Follow traffic laws: Fault is determined by whether you followed traffic signs, signals, and rules, like yielding to oncoming traffic when reversing out of a space.
• Yield when reversing: Drivers reversing out of a parking spot must yield to traffic in the lanes.
• Check your surroundings: What’s going on in the parking lot? Is there another driver trying to back out or get in a parking spot who could collide with your vehicle?

How fault is typically determined:

Hitting a legally parked car: If you hit a stationary, legally parked vehicle, you will almost always be considered 100% at fault in a B.C. parking lot accident. This includes backing into a parked car or opening your door into another car.

Backing out of a parking spot into a moving vehicle: When you're backing out of a parking spot, you must yield to vehicles already in the feeder lane (the lane between rows of parked cars). If you back out and hit a car in the feeder lane, you'll likely be at fault.

Two vehicles backing out at the same time: This is one of the few scenarios where fault is often split 50/50. Since both drivers are responsible for their own movement and neither has the clear right-of-way, both typically share responsibility.

Colliding in a thoroughfare: Vehicles in the main lanes of a B.C. parking lot generally have the right-of-way over vehicles entering from feeder lanes or exiting parking spots. If you're entering a thoroughfare and collide with a vehicle already in it, you're likely at fault.

Competing for a parking spot: When two cars are vying for the same spot and collide, fault may be shared. Factors such as who had the right-of-way and ow far each vehicle was into the parking spot will be considered.

Hitting a stationary object: If you hit a stationary object like a curb, light pole, or even a shopping cart, you will be at fault.

Hit and run: If your legally parked B.C. car is hit and the other driver leaves the scene without providing information, this is a hit-and-run accident. You'll usually need collision or all perils coverage to cover the damage to your vehicle. Reporting to the police within 24 hours is usually required for your insurer to consider it a not-at-fault accident.

Hitting a pedestrian or cyclist: If you hit a pedestrian or cyclist, you will often be found at fault.

How to prevent B.C. parking lot accidents

Stay vigilant and practice these tips to minimize your chances of an accident:

Slow down: Always drive slowly and cautiously in parking lots.

Eliminate distractions: Put away your phone and avoid other distractions.

Be aware of your surroundings: Look out for pedestrians (especially children), shopping carts, other vehicles, and stationary objects.

Use turn signals: Clearly indicate your intentions when turning or changing lanes.

Back in: If possible, back into parking spots. This provides a better field of vision when you're leaving.

Obey signs: Follow all stop signs, yield signs, and directional arrows.

Yield the right-of-way: Remember that vehicles in main thoroughfares and those already in lanes generally have the right-of-way.

Use your mirrors and shoulder check: Don't rely solely on backup cameras. Always use your mirrors and do a shoulder check before backing up or changing lanes.

To sum everything up

B.C. parking lot accidents can and do happen. Understand your ICBC insurance coverage for a parking lot accident and know what to do in the event of a parking lot fender bender.

FAQs about B.C. parking lot accidents

Will a parking lot accident always affect my B.C. insurance premiums?

If you are found not at fault for the accident, your premiums are less likely to be impacted, especially in "no-fault" provinces with DCPD. However, if you are found at fault, your premiums may increase upon renewal. Having "Accident Forgiveness" on your policy can also protect your rates for your first at-fault accident.

Should I call the police for a parking lot fender bender in B.C.?

Generally, you don't need to call the police for minor damage with no injuries. However, you must report to the police if there are injuries, if you suspect impaired driving, if the combined damage exceeds a provincial threshold (e.g., $2,000), or if it's a hit and run where the other driver fled the scene.

What if the other driver doesn't have insurance?

In British Columbia, mandatory ICBC basic auto insurance covers accidents with uninsured or unidentified motorists up to $200,000 for injuries and losses under its Protection against hit-and-run and uninsured motorists coverage. The basic package includes Underinsured Motorist Protection (UMP), providing up to $1 million in coverage if you're injured by a driver with insufficient insurance, covering medical costs, rehabilitation, and lost wages.

How is fault determined in a car accident if there are no witnesses or security footage?

In cases without witnesses or footage, insurance providers will rely on the physical evidence (e.g., location of damage on both vehicles) and the Fault Determination Rules of your province. Both drivers' statements will be taken into account, and if conflicting, fault may still be assigned based on the most probable scenario according to these rules. In some complex cases, fault might be split or even remain undetermined.

Should I get an estimate for the damage in a B.C. car accident before contacting my insurance?

A: While you can get an estimate, it's best to contact your insurance provider first. We can guide you through the claims process, which usually involves sending an appraiser or directing you to a preferred repair shop for an estimate. Getting an estimate yourself beforehand could cause delays or extra steps.