How safe is your parked car?

80% of drivers have had their car damaged in a car park, but 11% said they would drive off without admitting responsibility or leaving their details if the car was unattended.

If applied nationally, the AA poll of over 8,800 suggests that this equates to over 4 million unreported car park bashes.

There were around 3.24 million claims over the first half of 2009, 10% more than over the same period last year, but because of the cost of claiming, this may just be the tip of the iceberg.

Simon Douglas, director of AA Insurance said:

“The survey found that 80 per cent of those interviewed have at some time had their car noticeably damaged while parked in a car park.”

“Because it would affect their no claim bonus, many people wouldn’t bother to claim for a small dink unless it was caused by someone else and they could claim against them. But often they can’t even do that because whoever caused the damage ‘did a runner’.”

However, not all drivers are dishonest in the face of a prang. In the survey, 66% say they would leave a note if they accidentally hit an unattended parked car, and another 12% say they would take the car number and own up to the car park operator, police or their insurer.

Young drivers are least likely to own up at 58%, while those aged between 55 and 64 are most likely to do so (69%). Regionally, those in the East Midlands are more likely to drive off (13%) than drivers in the South West and Scotland, who appear most likely to follow their conscience with only 9% saying they would leave the scene.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, those on the lowest incomes are the most likely social group to not own up (14%).

“Car parking is a hazardous driving activity and our claims experience shows that hitting or being hit by another vehicle is by far the most common car-park claim, followed by collisions with walls, pillars, trolley shelters or barriers. There are also regular claims for damage from rogue shopping trolleys.”

“Manoevering a car – especially in reverse – is something that many people aren’t comfortable with and it would be good to see this play a more prominent part in the driving test. That way, perhaps future generations will be less likely to experience the frustration of seeing a dent in their door – and no trace of who caused the damage.”