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What should I do if my car was damaged while in parking mode and I don't know who the perpetrator is?

If your car is damaged while in parking mode, and you don't know who the perpetrator is, you can still file a claim with your own insurance provider, even without identifying the responsible party.

Many modern dash cams now offer a "buffered parking mode" feature, which continuously records video even when the car is parked, allowing you to capture footage of any incidents.

The force of impact required to cause damage to a parked car is often much lower than one might expect.

Even a light tap or scrape from another vehicle can result in significant harm.

Parking lot owners may be held liable for damages caused by hazardous conditions on their property, such as potholes or misplaced wheel stops, if they were aware of the issue and failed to address it.

In some jurisdictions, drivers are legally required to stop and provide their contact information if they hit a parked vehicle, even if the damage appears minor.

Fleeing the scene is considered a hit-and-run offense.

Forensic analysis of paint transfer or other physical evidence left on the damaged vehicle can sometimes be used to identify the make, model, and even the year of the responsible vehicle.

The duration of your car's "parking mode" is limited by the capacity of the vehicle's battery.

Excessive use can lead to a dead battery, necessitating a jump-start or tow.

If your car's parking mode is activated by a motion sensor, it may not capture footage of a slow, gentle impact, as the sensor may not be triggered.

Some insurance policies provide coverage for damage to parked vehicles, even if the responsible party cannot be identified.

This is typically referred to as "uninsured motorist property damage" coverage.

Certain parking lot security features, such as license plate recognition cameras or high-definition surveillance systems, may be able to capture footage of the incident, even if your car's own dashcam did not record it.

The amount of time it takes for a damaged vehicle to be repaired can vary significantly based on the extent of the damage, the availability of replacement parts, and the workload of the repair shop.

If your car was damaged while parked at a commercial facility, such as a shopping mall or office building, the property owner may have liability insurance that could cover the cost of repairs.

In some cases, the driver who caused the damage may come forward voluntarily, either out of a sense of responsibility or after being confronted with evidence.

The type of parking mode your dashcam uses can affect its power consumption and the duration of continuous recording.

Buffered parking mode tends to be more power-intensive than motion-activated recording.

If your car was damaged while parked on a public street, you may be able to file a claim with your local municipality if the damage was caused by a known hazard, such as a pothole or debris.

The cost of repairing damage to your car's exterior, such as dents or scratches, can vary widely depending on the severity of the impact and the type of paint finish.

In some cases, the responsible party may have fled the scene, but their vehicle may have left behind evidence, such as paint transfer or unique identifying marks, that could help trace them.

If your car was damaged while parked in a private lot, the property owner may have security cameras or other surveillance systems that could provide footage of the incident.

The amount of time you have to file an insurance claim for a parked car incident can vary by location and provider, so it's important to act quickly.

In the event that your car was damaged by a natural disaster, such as a fallen tree or hail, your comprehensive insurance coverage may provide protection, even if the responsible party is unknown.

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