You're about to leave the store only to find out that your vehicle's been hit. There's no note left on the car and no one around. How did it happen? And, who is going to pay for that large dent in the side of your car? The first step is to realize that you do have to take action. In nearly all cases, you should file a police report at the time of the incident. This step allows the police to find who may be responsible for the incident and also allows for your auto insurance agency to go to work for you.

The good news is this type of loss is often covered by your car insurance policy. However, whether or not it is covered depends on the type of insurance you have.

Although all policies are different, the most common place for this type of coverage to fall is under your collision insurance plan. Comprehensive insurance can help if the incident is ruled vandalism, such as someone scratching your car or otherwise damaging it. However, the most common type of damage like this comes from another vehicle. If another vehicle hits your car, this falls under your collision insurance policy.

Keep in mind that if you have a deductible, it is likely that you will need to pay that in order for your auto insurance provider's coverage to kick in and provide you with additional protection. For example, if you have a $500 deductible and the damage to your vehicle is $1,500, you will need to pay the first $500 and the insurer will pay the remaining $1,000.

It's a good time to take a closer look at your existing auto insurance policy. Does it provide you with the amount and type of coverage you need? If not, it may be time to upgrade. Be sure your car insurance has ample coverage to protect you from unexpected incidents like this. And, perhaps most importantly, take the time to talk to your agent about your options in locating the other driver that caused the damage. He or she could be held liable and may be required to reimburse you for the losses.