A new survey by New Zealand's AA Insurance finds that 70% of drivers surveyed have had their car damaged while parked, and AA Insurance claims data reveals that most of these collisions happen during November in the lead-up to Christmas.
“Car parks are notorious for accidents as space is tight and drivers can feel rushed or frustrated,” says Martin Fox, Deputy General Manager, AA Insurance. "If drivers make a conscious effort to not let holiday pressures get on top of them, Christmas shopping will be easier for everyone."
AA reports that "it seems New Zealander’s are increasingly unwilling to own up to causing damage, with 20% of respondents saying if they damaged a vehicle in a car park and no one saw them, they would consider not leaving their details (2009: 15 percent). In fact, 91% of those who had their car damaged while parked returned to find no contact details from the person responsible."
“This year we have received an average of 377 claims per month from customers whose cars were damaged while parked, and in most cases the person who caused the damage did not leave their details,” states Fox. “There is a legal responsibility to own up if you damage someone else’s vehicle. Even a small ding can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage."
“We urge drivers to be courteous to others and keep their cool," he continues. "And if your car is damaged and no one has left a note, report it to the car park security or mall security – they may have cameras which could have captured the incident. This will make it easier when making an insurance claim.”
According to AA Insurance claims data for 2010, the average claim amount for cars damaged while parked is $1,481.
The most common place for car park collisions is the supermarket: in 33% of AA Insurance claims for cars damaged while parked - where the location was recorded - the incident occurred in a supermarket. Shopping centres are the second-most likely place for car park damage, at 18%.
Breaking ti down by cities, cars are less likely to be damaged in a car park in Christchurch than in any other major New Zealand city for which AA Insurance recorded claim data, with Wellington close behind. Dunedin is on par with the national average of 21 in every 1,000 cars reporting damage. The most dangerous city to park in is Tauranga, where the chance of car damage is 247% above the national average.
4,336 drivers aged 18 to 65 were surveyed for the AA Insurance Drivers Index.
Click here to read JVH's recent blog on parking lot dings
Pete Goldin
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