Coming back to where you parked and finding your car damaged is one of the most frustrating – and unfortunately common – experiences on Cypriot roads. Incidents involving hit-and-run damage have increased in recent years, especially in busy urban areas, making your reaction in the first few minutes particularly important.
Step 1: Stay calm and inspect the car
Take a moment to breathe and carefully check your vehicle from all sides. Look for a note left by the other driver with contact details. While it does happen, it is not guaranteed.
Step 2: Ask around
If there is no note, speak to nearby residents, shop owners or passers-by. Someone may have seen the incident or remembered a licence plate number. Even partial information can prove useful later.
Step 3: Check for nearby cameras
Look around for security cameras on homes, shops or public buildings that may have captured the incident. While camera footage is not always accepted as court evidence, it can be extremely helpful for police investigations and insurance claims in Cyprus.
Step 4: Understand your insurance options
If the driver responsible cannot be identified, compensation options are limited. Comprehensive (fully comprehensive) insurance is usually the only coverage that allows repairs without identifying the at-fault driver. With third-party insurance only, the chances of compensation are very low unless the other driver is found.
Step 5: Inform the Police and your insurer
Regardless of whether you have information about the driver, you should always report the incident to the Police so that it is officially recorded. You should also notify your insurance company as soon as possible. This opens a formal case and keeps the door open if a witness or the driver comes forward later.
Step 6: Document everything
Take clear photos from multiple angles, note the time and exact location, and keep any potential evidence. Your insurance company will guide you through the next steps based on your coverage.
It is an annoying and stressful situation, but acting quickly and correctly is the only way to protect your property and preserve any chance of compensation. A calm response and a few smart moves can make all the difference.