Quick Summary:
- Photograph both vehicles, surroundings, and every angle of damage immediately.
- Ask car park security to log the incident, and request a report number.
- Call police only when required, then record the case number.
- Notify your car hire provider promptly with facts, photos, and paperwork.
A low speed bump or scrape in a Disney or Universal car park is frustrating, but it does not have to turn into a lengthy claim. The key is documenting the scene properly, following Florida reporting rules, and giving your car hire provider a complete, consistent account. Orlando theme park car parks are huge, busy, and often have limited CCTV coverage, so the information you gather in the first 20 minutes can make the difference between a smooth resolution and repeated requests for more detail.
This step by step checklist focuses on what to photograph, how to involve security, when police are needed, and what to tell the rental desk so your paperwork matches what insurers and damage teams expect.
Step 1: Make the scene safe and stay calm
Before thinking about forms, make sure everyone is safe. Check for injuries in your car and the other vehicle. If anyone is hurt, call 911. If the vehicles can be moved and there are no injuries, pull into a safe space nearby so you are not blocking traffic lanes or tram routes. Theme park attendants may direct you, follow their instructions.
Do not admit fault in the moment, even if you feel responsible. Simply exchange details and focus on factual notes. In car parks, responsibility can be unclear because of reversing, stop signs, lane markings, and parked vehicle positions.
Step 2: Photograph everything, not just the damage
Your photo set should tell a complete story to someone who was not there. Use your phone camera in good light, and take more images than you think you need. If it is raining, wipe the lens and take a second set.
Photo checklist for Disney or Universal car parks
Capture these categories before either vehicle leaves:
1) Wide context shots, take photos that show the row, nearby signage, lane arrows, and any stop signs. Include identifiable markers like section letters, row numbers, or themed area signs.
2) Positioning, photograph both vehicles as they sit relative to lines, kerbs, and each other. If a vehicle has already moved, photograph tyre marks, debris, or the final parking position.
3) Close ups of damage, take tight photos from multiple angles, including paint transfer, dents, cracks, and scuffs. Do the same for the other vehicle.
4) Number plates and vehicle IDs, photograph the number plate of both vehicles and, if visible, the make, model, and colour. If the other driver shares insurance, photograph their insurance card too.
5) Interior warning lights, if any warning appears on the dashboard after impact, photograph it. Also photograph the fuel level and odometer, as some damage teams request this for timeline checks.
6) Any relevant surroundings, for example poor lighting, obstructed views, trolley bays, or unusual kerb layouts. If the hit happened while you were away, photograph the empty space around your vehicle to show it was parked.
If your car was hit while unattended, take the photos before you move the vehicle. If you must move, take wide shots first, then relocate.
Step 3: Collect the other party’s details, or document a hit and run
If the other driver is present, exchange information. In Florida, drivers generally share basic details after a collision. Record:
Name, phone number, address, driving licence details, insurance company and policy number, plus the vehicle make and registration. Photograph documents rather than copying them by hand where possible.
If there is no other driver and your car has been hit while parked, treat it as a potential hit and run. Photograph the damage and the parked position. Ask nearby drivers or attendants if anyone saw it, and note names and numbers of any witnesses.
Step 4: Contact theme park security and get an incident reference
At Disney and Universal, security teams are used to vehicle incidents. Ask for security assistance and request that the incident is logged. This is important even when the damage seems minor, because your car hire provider may ask for an official third party note confirming time and place.
When security attends, request:
Incident or report number, the name of the staff member (or badge number), and the location recorded in their system. If they confirm CCTV is unavailable or inconclusive, ask that this is noted in the report.
Security may not provide you with footage, and they may not determine fault. Your goal is a record that supports your timeline.
Step 5: Decide whether police are required in Orlando
Many theme park car park bumps do not require police attendance, but certain situations do. If anyone is injured, call 911. If there is serious damage, suspected impairment, an uncooperative driver, or a hit and run, calling police is sensible. If you are uncertain, you can call the non emergency number for guidance, but follow any instructions from security if they are coordinating traffic flow.
What matters for claim handling is having either a police report number or a clear note that police did not attend and why. If an officer attends, ask for the case number and the agency name. Do not leave without recording it.
Step 6: Make a clear written record while it is fresh
Open a notes app and write a simple timeline. Keep it factual and consistent with your photos:
Date and time, exact car park section, weather, whether you were parked or moving, and a one paragraph description of what happened. Note whether the car was locked and unattended, and when you discovered the damage.
Also note any conversations, for example if the other driver accepted responsibility or if security advised a particular next step. Avoid emotionally loaded language. A calm record reduces back and forth later.
Step 7: Notify your car hire provider promptly, and share the right details
Most delays happen because the rental desk or damage team receives an incomplete report. Contact your provider as soon as practical, ideally the same day, and be ready to provide a clean bundle of information. If you arranged your Orlando car hire through Hola Car Rentals, have your booking details to hand so the correct agreement is located quickly.
What to tell the rental desk or claims team:
Your rental agreement number, vehicle registration, date and time, precise location (Disney or Universal, plus section and row), security incident number, and police case number if applicable. Tell them whether the car remained drivable, and whether you need a replacement vehicle.
Offer to send:
1) your full photo set, 2) photos of the other vehicle and documents, 3) witness details, 4) your written timeline, and 5) any security paperwork. Send original images, not screenshots, so timestamps and quality are preserved.
If you are flying in or out of the airport, it can help to know the typical pickup and support process used by Orlando airport rentals. See Orlando MCO car rental and car hire Orlando MCO for general provider and location context.
Step 8: Avoid common reporting mistakes that slow claims
Small errors can create mismatches between your account, the other driver’s statement, and any third party record. Watch for these issues:
Leaving without a security log. Theme park security reports add credibility when police do not attend.
Only photographing the damage. Without wide context shots, it can be hard to confirm where it happened.
Not identifying the other driver properly. A phone number alone is rarely enough, and insurance details matter.
Agreeing to cash settlements. This can become complicated with rental agreements and later discovered damage.
Waiting until return day. Reporting at drop off, days later, is one of the biggest causes of delays.
Step 9: If the car is still drivable, continue carefully
If the damage is cosmetic and the vehicle is safe, you can usually continue your trip. However, if you notice steering pull, tyre rubbing, fluid leaks, a cracked headlight, or warning lights, treat it as a safety issue. In that case, stop driving and contact the provider for instructions. Document the new symptoms with photos.
If you are travelling with family and luggage, you may have chosen a larger vehicle for comfort. If the incident affects doors, boot access, or visibility, note this clearly when requesting guidance. For travellers using larger vehicles, it can be helpful to understand typical SUV options and sizes at MCO, see SUV rental Disney Orlando MCO.
Step 10: What happens at vehicle return, and how to protect your timeline
When you return the car, ask the agent to note that the incident was previously reported and provide the reference number again. If there is a vehicle condition report at drop off, keep a copy or take a photo of the document on the counter before you leave.
If staff inspect the car, take your own final set of photos in the return lane showing the current condition, including close ups of the affected area. This creates a clear end point in case questions arise later.
If you hired from a specific brand counter, you may find it useful to refer to the provider page you used when comparing options, such as Hertz car hire Orlando MCO or Enterprise car rental Orlando MCO. The main aim is to keep your communication consistent with your agreement and the location you collected from.
Step 11: Special situations in Disney and Universal car parks
Tram lanes and loading zones, if the collision happened near trams, mention it, as security may have more structured incident logging there.
Valet and hotel parking, if you parked at an on site hotel or used valet, ask for the valet ticket details and the supervisor’s name. Get the same photo set and request a written note if available.
Storms and falling objects, Orlando weather can be intense. If damage was caused by a falling branch, sign, or shopping trolley, photograph the object, the surrounding area, and any storm conditions. Report it as soon as possible to security and your provider, because it may be handled differently from a vehicle to vehicle collision.
Step 12: Quick checklist to keep in your phone notes
Keep this sequence handy for any Orlando car hire incident in a theme park car park: safety first, wide photos, close ups, details exchanged, security report number, police case number if needed, written timeline, then notify your provider with all attachments. If you follow that order, you will usually avoid the most common claim delays.
FAQ
Do I always need to call the police after a car park bump at Disney or Universal?
Not always. Police are typically needed for injuries, serious damage, suspected impairment, uncooperative drivers, or a hit and run. If police do not attend, get a security incident number and document why.
What if my hire car is hit while parked and the other driver leaves?
Photograph the vehicle in place before moving it, then take detailed damage photos. Report it to theme park security and request an incident reference. Notify your car hire provider promptly with your photo set and written timeline.
What photos do rental companies usually ask for?
They commonly need wide shots showing location and bay markings, close ups of damage from several angles, both number plates, and any documents exchanged. Dashboard warning lights and final drop off photos can also help.
Should I pay the other driver cash to keep it simple?
It is usually a bad idea with a rental, because you still need to report damage under the agreement. Cash settlements can lead to disputes later, especially if extra damage is discovered.
What should I say when I report the incident to the rental desk?
Give a factual summary: when and where it happened, whether you were parked or moving, the other party’s details if known, and the security and police reference numbers. Offer your photos and notes to support the report.
