Very few own up to carpark scrapes
SIXTY-SIX per cent of drivers have had the experience of finding their car scratched or damaged in a public car park, according to the AA.
And in only four per cent of cases did the guilty party leave a note or come forward to own up.
In 96% of cases the motorist is left to pay for the damage themselves or make a claim against their own insurance. The findings are contained in an AA online poll of 800 motorists countrywide.
'Many people do not want to claim for a small dink on their own insurance because they worry about their no claims bonus, so in effect they are left with a healthy bill because the person that did the damage does not own up,' said Director of Policy Conor Faughnan.
'If they have simply 'done a runner' you can be left high and dry.'
Car parking is a hazardous driving activity and information from AA Insurance shows that hitting or being hit by another vehicle is by far the most common car-park claim, followed by 'door to panel' collisions with walls, pillars, trolley shelters or barriers.
This can occur due to limited space between cars or reversing into tight spaces with often poor visibility. There are also regular claims for damage from rogue shopping trolleys.
While motorists will feel rightly annoyed when their own car is damaged, not all are angels when they cause the scrape themselves. Only 47% of drivers said that they did in fact leave a note or contact details.
'It is not simply people being dishonest,' said Faughnan, 'there is a fear that the third party might take advantage of the situation, and there is also embarrassment. It is very tempting to simply slip away.'
