Someone hit my car in a mall parking lot and drove off — no note, nothing. What do I do?

This happened to me at a grocery store lot a couple years back. Same thing — paint transfer, no note, no witnesses. I pushed hard for the security footage and the store actually came through. The footage was grainy but you could make out the plate. Definitely go back first thing when that manager is in and be persistent. Bring your photos, be polite but firm. Some places will just hand it over, others get weird about liability and say you need a subpoena. Either way, don't wait.

Watch out when you call your insurance about this. Even just reporting a claim — even if you end up not filing — can sometimes be used against you at renewal. I'd get crystal clear on your policy language around unidentified drivers before you say too much to your adjuster. Ask specifically whether a hit-and-run with no confirmed plate counts as an uninsured motorist situation under your policy. They may try to tell you no. Push back and ask them to show you exactly where in your policy it says that.

Former adjuster here. A few things: that police reference number actually matters more than it seems — keep it. When you talk to your insurer, document every single call with date, time, and who you spoke to. If you don't have collision coverage, you're likely looking at a tough road unless you can actually identify the other driver with that plate. The footage is your best shot. If the manager gives you trouble tomorrow, ask calmly whether they'd prefer to hand it over voluntarily or wait until an attorney requests it formally. That sometimes speeds things up.

Were you in the car when it happened, or was it parked and empty? If you were inside and felt any kind of jolt at all — even minor — please don't brush off any physical symptoms in the next few days. Adrenaline from the stress of dealing with this can mask soreness. Just something to keep in mind.

A couple things that might help: First, the moment you get access to that security footage, ask for it in its original digital format if possible — not just a screenshot or a photo of a monitor. Second, if the SUV you photographed turns out to be the one, that's actually a potentially identified driver, not an unknown ghost hitter, which changes your insurance options. Even a partial plate from your photos combined with footage could be enough to open a real claim against that driver's insurance rather than your own.

Go back to that mall the second they open. Bring your photos. Be polite, be calm, and don't leave without either the footage or a clear timeline for when you'll get it. If they stall or say they've already overwritten it, get that in writing. Then talk to a PI attorney — many do free consults — before you file anything with your insurance. You have more options than you think right now, but the window on that footage closes fast.

I'm so sorry this happened to you. It's such a violating feeling — someone just damages your property and walks away like it's nothing. You're doing all the right things. I really hope the footage comes through for you. Sending good thoughts your way.

Honestly the fact that you stayed calm, took photos, found a possible matching vehicle, AND got a police reference number in the same afternoon is really impressive. Most people just stand there overwhelmed and don't do any of that. You've already given yourself a real shot at this being resolved. That footage could tie everything together.

Not legal advice, but just so you know — if you can get that plate confirmed through the footage, this goes from a frustrating property damage headache to a straightforward third-party claim against whoever owns that vehicle. The key right now is preserving that evidence before the footage cycles. If the mall gives you any resistance, a quick call to a personal injury attorney (most do free consults for exactly this kind of situation) can clarify your options fast. Don't assume you're stuck paying out of pocket yet.