Car park collisions on the rise
Calm urged during the Christmas rush for last minute shoppers – AA Insurance

Auckland – 16 December 2011 – Car park collisions are up year-on-year according to AA Insurance. From September 2010 to August 2011 the company received 456 claims for damaged caused to a vehicle while it was parked, compared to 377 in 2010. The average cost of a damaged while parked claim also rose from $1,481 in 2010 to $1,595 in 2011.

For those making a car park collision claim, the problem is compounded because New Zealanders refuse to own up after causing damage to someone else’s car. In the 2011 AA Insurance Drivers Index 89.6 percent of respondents said the driver who caused the damage didn’t leave any details. And when asked whether they’d leave their own details if no one saw them damage a vehicle in a car park, 18.9 percent said they would think twice.

“Christmas is an especially busy time of year as shoppers rush around to pick up last minute gifts and anything else they might need for the holidays,” said Martin Fox, Head of Operations for AA Insurance. “It’s important to do the right thing and leave your details if you damage someone else’s car. If your insurer doesn’t know who is responsible for the damage, you may have to pay your excess, which could affect your no claims bonus.”

Vehicles are most likely to be damaged while parked at the supermarket (42.8 percent), shopping centre (24.7 percent), home (7.1 percent), school or university (6.7 percent). Based on the survey, 44.1 percent of the accidents that occurred in car parks are fender benders followed by 33.3 percent which were minor dents.

“If you do return to your vehicle to find it has been damaged and no one has left their details, report the incident to the cark park or supermarket security, as CCTV may have recorded the incident,” added Martin.

Attitudes to parking in spaces designated for disabled drivers or parents with children are strong, with 91.1 percent of respondents saying it’s not okay to use a disabled parking space without a permit. In addition, 86.1 percent don’t think it’s okay for drivers to use dedicated ‘parents only’ car parks if they don’t have kids.

The Drivers Index also found that 46.4 percent of respondents have had another motorist steal their car space while they were clearly waiting for it in a car park. You’re most likely to have your car park stolen in Auckland and least likely to have it stolen in Wellington.

Avoid Christmas car park collisions
• Drive slowly around car parks and indicate every time you turn.
• Check for hazards (bollards, posts, concrete barriers) before parking. If you’re not confident parking in reverse, ask someone to guide you.
• When parking, allow enough space for yourself and vehicles around you to manoeuvre out of their space.
• When reversing out of a park, back up slowly and look behind you. Don’t just rely on your mirrors.
• When following another driver looking for a parking space, keep a good distance in front of you in case they brake suddenly.
• If you do hit another parked vehicle, leave your details and if you witness a collision, pass on the offending driver’s number plate and vehicle description to the innocent party.
• Avoid peak times at busy car parks by arriving early.

ENDS
Editors’ Note: This information has been compiled and released by AA Insurance.

About AA Insurance

AA Insurance was launched in 1994 and is a joint venture between New Zealand Automobile Association and Suncorp-Metway Limited.
AA Insurance has 500 staff servicing over 250,000 customers and manages around 500,000 policies. Over half of those policies cover motor insurance risks including cars, motorbikes, caravans and motor homes, and the remainder are house and contents insurance.

AA Insurance was named as New Zealand’s best workplace at the 2011 JRA Best Workplaces Survey, winning the overall award and the large company category. In 2008, 2009 and 2010 AA Insurance was a finalist in the medium-large workplace category.

AA Insurance Limited has an A+ (Strong) Insurer Financial Strength Rating given by Standard and Poor’s (Australia) Pty Ltd on 7 January 2011. For further information visit, www.aainsurance.co.nz.

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