AA Insurance has reminded car owners to beware of shopping centre car parks during the holidays as the number of dents, dings, and scratches increases due to higher volumes of trolleys and traffic.

The insurer’s data in the 12 months to November 30 showed that nearly 11% of all car claims were accidents caused to parked cars. Around 16% of the accidents happened over the Christmas period (December 2018 to January 2019) and at a cost of almost $3.5 million. Of those returning to a damaged car, a shocking 86% had not received a note from the person who caused the damage.

“One third of Kiwis have had their car damaged by a dreaded run-away trolley, according to the 2019 AA Insurance Lifestyle Survey, usually while at the supermarket. Meanwhile over half of us have returned to our parked cars to find them damaged,” Amelia Macandrew, customer relations manager at AA Insurance said.

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Macandrew advised car owners who know who has damaged their car to gather the person’s details before making a claim with their insurer.

“If we don’t know who did the damage, we can’t contact them or their insurer to manage the claim, which means the owner of the car must claim on their own insurance and pay an excess or pay for the damage themselves if it is minor,” she added.

“At this time of year, when shopping areas are busy and there are more cars, shoppers and young children about, take your time in the car park, be a courteous driver, check thoroughly before reversing out of a park and know where your blind spot is. As they say, it’s better to be safe than sorry.”