What Happens If Your Car Is Hit While Parked on a Ferry? 

For many Washington drivers, ferry travel is a regular part of commuting, visiting family, or exploring the Puget Sound region. But what happens if another vehicle hits your car while you’re parked on the ferry deck or moving through the terminal? 

Ferry car accidents can happen during loading, unloading, or while vehicles are parked. Knowing what to do can make the claims process easier. This guide explains how to respond, what information to collect, who may be responsible, and how your car insurance may help after an accident. 

Key Takeaways 

• After your parked car is hit on a ferry, check for injuries, notify ferry personnel, and call 911 if emergency assistance is needed. 
• Who pays for damage depends on how the accident happened, who was responsible, and the insurance coverage involved. 
• Claims involving a public ferry operator may have different requirements and deadlines than a standard auto insurance claim. 
• Photos, witness information, vehicle and insurance details, and official incident information can help document what happened. 

Immediate Steps After Your Parked Car Is Hit at the Ferry Terminal or on a Ferry 

Whether another vehicle rolls into yours while parked or a collision happens during loading or unloading, focus first on safety and documenting the incident. 

• Check for injuries and call 911 if needed. Make sure you, your passengers, and others involved are safe. If anyone is injured or needs emergency assistance, call 911 and follow instructions from ferry personnel and first responders. 
• Notify ferry personnel immediately. Alert a crew member or ferry employee so they can respond appropriately and document the incident according to their procedures. 
• Do not drive away until cleared. Follow instructions from ferry personnel about whether and when to move your vehicle. Moving it prematurely could make documenting the accident more difficult. 
• Preserve the scene safely. If it is safe to do so, document the position of the vehicles and surrounding areas. Avoid arguments and follow crew instructions while remaining aware of traffic on the ferry deck or terminal. 
• Ask about incident reports. Find out whether an incident report is being created and ask how you can obtain the report or reference number. Note the vessel, route, sailing time, and direction of travel. 

How to Document the Damage and Collect Information 

Good documentation can help your insurer understand what happened and evaluate your claim. 

• Take clear photos and videos. Photograph vehicle damage, license plates, vehicle positions, and relevant surroundings. If a ferry structure, ramp, barrier, or other object was involved, document that as well. 
• Capture ferry and trip details. Note the ferry operator, vessel name, route, approximate time, and location where the accident occurred. 
• Exchange information with the other driver. Collect the driver’s name, contact information, vehicle information, and insurance details. Make sure any exchange of personal information is done safely. 
• Get witness names and contact details. If other passengers or witnesses saw what happened and are willing to provide their contact information, record it for later reference. 
• Ask about cameras and official reports. Ask ferry personnel whether the area may have been monitored and whether law enforcement or another agency will prepare a report. 
• Keep records for your insurer. Save photos, notes, reports, repair estimates, receipts, and other documentation related to the accident and claim. 

Who Pays for Damage When Your Car Is Hit on a Ferry? 

Responsibility depends on how the accident occurred. Another driver’s insurance, your own auto coverage, or potentially the ferry operator could become involved. 

• When another driver is clearly at fault. If another driver causes the accident, their liability insurance may cover damage for which they are legally responsible, subject to the policy and circumstances. 
• When your own collision coverage responds. Collision coverage may help pay for covered damage to your vehicle after a collision, subject to your policy terms and deductible. 
• If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured. Depending on your policy, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may provide protection when the responsible driver does not have sufficient insurance. Coverage availability and requirements vary. 
• Could the ferry company be liable? Liability involving a ferry operator depends on the circumstances. If you believe ferry equipment, operations, or another condition contributed to the accident, additional claim procedures may apply. Claims involving a government entity can have specific notice requirements and deadlines, so consider checking current Washington requirements promptly. 
• How fault is evaluated. Insurers may consider driver statements, incident or police reports, witness information, photographs, available video, vehicle positions, and other evidence when determining responsibility. 
• Policy terms matter. Coverage limits, deductibles, exclusions, and endorsements affect how a claim is handled. Review your coverage so you understand what protection you have before an accident occurs. 

How Washington Car Insurance Works for Ferry Car Accidents 

The coverage available after a ferry-related accident depends on your policy and how the damage occurred. 

• Liability coverage. Washington drivers must meet the state’s minimum auto liability insurance requirements. Learn more about Washington car insurance requirements. Liability coverage generally helps pay for covered injuries or property damage you are legally responsible for causing others, up to your policy limits. 
• Collision coverage. Collision coverage may help pay for covered damage to your vehicle after it collides with another vehicle or object, subject to your deductible and policy terms. 
• Comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive coverage generally applies to certain covered losses that are not caused by a collision, such as theft, vandalism, or some weather-related damage. Exactly how a ferry-related incident is classified depends on what caused the damage and the policy. 
• Medical and PIP coverage. Depending on your policy and applicable state requirements, Personal Injury Protection or other medical coverage may help with covered medical expenses following an accident. 
• SR-22 and high-risk drivers. Drivers who are required to file an SR-22 should make sure they maintain the insurance required for their situation. A lapse could affect compliance with state requirements. 
• Claims process. After an accident, report the loss according to your insurer’s procedures and provide the available documentation. Your insurer can explain the next steps, including vehicle inspections and repairs. 

Common Causes of Ferry Car Accidents 

Understanding how ferry car accidents can happen can help drivers take precautions while loading, unloading, and parking. 

• Driver mistakes during loading and unloading. Ferry decks can involve narrow lanes and limited space. Misjudging distance or making an incorrect maneuver can result in a collision. 
• Failure to engage parking brakes. Drivers should follow ferry instructions for securing their vehicles while parked to help prevent unintended movement. 
• Negligence or miscommunication by ferry crew. Ferry personnel direct vehicle traffic during loading and unloading. If you believe an operational issue contributed to an accident, document the circumstances and report the incident. 
• Mechanical failures or equipment defects. Problems involving a vehicle or ferry equipment could potentially contribute to an incident. Determining responsibility would depend on the specific facts. 
• Driver distraction or inattention. Distractions can make it harder to navigate confined loading and unloading areas safely. 
• Environmental and weather conditions. Wet surfaces, poor visibility, and other weather conditions can affect driving conditions around ferry terminals and decks. 

Following ferry personnel’s directions and staying attentive can help reduce the risk of a collision. 

Preventing Ferry Car Accidents and Protecting Yourself Before You Sail 

Whether ferries are part of your regular commute or an occasional trip, a few precautions can help protect your vehicle and make an unexpected accident easier to handle. 

• Safer parking and loading habits. Follow instructions from ferry personnel and properly secure your vehicle as directed. Stay alert while entering, parking, and leaving the vessel. 
• Stay near your vehicle when required. Follow the ferry operator’s rules regarding access to vehicle decks and returning to your vehicle before arrival. 
• Use ferry terminal parking lots wisely. Lock your vehicle, choose an appropriate parking space, and stay aware of other vehicles moving through busy terminal areas. 
• Review coverage before heavy ferry season. If you frequently travel by ferry, consider reviewing your personal auto or commercial auto policies so you understand your coverage. 
• Consider higher limits and optional coverage. Your appropriate coverage depends on your vehicle, finances, driving habits, and other risks. An insurance professional can help you review liability limits and optional coverage. 

How Vern Fonk Insurance can help

Vern Fonk can help you compare available insurance options. Call (800) 455-8276, request an online quote, or visit a local Vern Fonk office to discuss your coverage needs. 

Frequently Asked Questions about Ferry Car Accidents and Washington Auto Insurance 

Does my car insurance cover damage that happens while I’m waiting in line at the ferry terminal? 

Coverage depends on what caused the damage and the terms of your policy. For example, collision coverage may apply when your vehicle is damaged in a covered collision, while another driver’s liability coverage may apply when that driver is responsible. 

Don’t assume an accident is excluded simply because it occurred at a ferry terminal. Report the incident and ask your insurer how your coverage applies. 

Will my rates automatically go up after a ferry accident? 

Not necessarily. Whether an accident affects your rates can depend on factors such as fault, claim history, insurer rating practices, and applicable state rules. 

A Vern Fonk agent can help you review your coverage and available options if your insurance needs to change. 

Is a ferry car accident handled differently if I’m driving a work or commercial vehicle? 

It can be. A commercial auto or business policy may apply when a vehicle is being used for business purposes, depending on the circumstances and policy terms. 

Coverage limits, exclusions, and reporting requirements can differ from personal auto insurance. If you regularly use a vehicle for work, speak with a Vern Fonk agent about commercial auto insurance. 

What if the ferry company denies responsibility, but I believe their loading procedures caused the crash? 

Preserve your evidence, request available incident documentation, and notify your insurer. If you believe the ferry operator or another government entity may be responsible, special claim procedures and deadlines could apply. 

Depending on the circumstances and severity of the loss, you may also want to seek legal advice about applicable requirements and your options. 

Can I choose my own repair shop after a ferry-related accident? 

Your ability to select a repair facility can depend on applicable law and your policy. Your insurer may also maintain a network of recommended repair facilities. 

Ask your insurer or Vern Fonk agent about the repair process and your options after a covered accident.