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Car Safety
How to help avoid damage to your vehicle when it’s parked
A significant number of vehicles are damaged when parked every year. Here are some ways to minimise the risk of it happening to you.
Damage to your car can happen anywhere, including when parked. According to Insurance Manufacturers of Australia (IMA) data, claims for damage whilst parked are one of the most common types of motor insurance claims lodged.
In the 12 months from December 1, 2023 to November 30, 2024, 19,367 motor insurance claims were lodged with ‘damage whilst parked’ listed as the cause of loss. There was a total of 147,108 claims lodged during that same period, with ‘damage whilst driving’ ranking higher (23,185 claims lodged) as a listed cause of loss.
The data also reveals which postcodes had the most claims for damaged whilst parked. Postcode 3029 – which includes the suburbs of Hoppers Crossing, Tarneit and Truganina in Melbourne’s west – topped the list with 316 claims listed as damaged whilst parked from December 1, 2023 to November 30, 2024.
Are you up to date on your driving knowledge?
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- How to read parking signs in Victoria
| Melbourne postcodes | ||
|---|---|---|
|
3029 |
Hoppers Crossing, Tarneit and Truganina |
316 |
|
3030 |
Point Cook, Werribee and Werribee South |
265 |
|
3216 |
Belmont, Highton, Waurn Ponds, Grovedale and Wandana Heights |
261 |
|
3150 |
Glen Waverley and Wheelers Hill |
231 |
|
3000 |
Melbourne CBD |
231 |
Table shows the top five Melbourne postcodes with the highest number of motor insurance claims lodged with ‘damage whilst parked’ listed as the cause of loss. Source: IMA
In this article
Tips for avoiding damage to your car and to other vehicles when parking
Senior Driving Instructor for RACV, Silvia Morris, has a number of tips to help minimise the chances of your vehicle being damaged while parking, or whilst parked.
Be cautious
Move slowly when parking, being sure to continuously check your surroundings. Make any adjustments slowly. Consider potential hazards, such as falling tree branches , that can damage your car and windscreen. This is especially important in windy or stormy weather.
Don’t rely on cameras
Smart safety features and parking aids like reversing cameras and sensors are handy but shouldn’t be solely relied on. Always check for hazards in your mirrors as well as checking over both shoulders for your blind spots.
Park further away
Opting for a parking spot in a less crowded location where possible can help minimise damage from third parties. You may have to walk slightly further to your destination, but it can reduce the chance of other vehicles or objects (such as shopping trolleys) from damaging your car.
Stay in the lines
In marked parking spaces, make sure you park your vehicle within the marked boundaries. Ensure there is enough space to open doors without damaging other vehicles or objects.
Tuck in your mirrors
When parking on the street, tucking in your wing mirrors can help avoid damage from passing vehicles. Some cars have an automatic function for this, while other cars require that you manually tuck in the mirrors. Remember to flip them out again and adjust them correctly before driving off again.
Check your park
Take a moment to double check you have parked safely and legally before leaving your vehicle. Avoid parking on bends and ensure you have parked an adequate distance from intersections, crossings and other vehicles. The minimum required distances can vary – visit the VicRoads website for more information.
Don't tempt thieves
There are many personal items you should never leave in your car, including your valuables. Leaving items such as laptops, phones, or wallets in your car can tempt opportunistic thieves who may not only steal your items, but damage your car in the process.
Adhering to any parking signs and restrictions can help prevent any damage to your vehicle - as well as the chance of being fined. Image: Matt Harvey.
Can a dash cam help if my car is damaged while parked?
Dashboard cameras, also known as dash cams, are now commonplace in Australian vehicles. These cameras are securely mounted to the dashboard or windshield and continuously record while the car is in motion.
Certain dash cam models can also record while your vehicle is parked or have the ability to begin recording should the device sense damage to the vehicle. Typically, dash cam footage can be submitted to an insurer as part of a claim.
Some vehicles from manufacturers such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Tesla also come with built-in dash cams or similar recording functions.
Parking away from other vehicles in carparks can minimise the chances of damage from other cars or objects like shopping trolleys.
Someone hit my parked car and left, what should I do?
If you’ve discovered your vehicle damaged and the third party has left without supplying their details ask around to see if there are any witnesses to the incident. Have a look around for CCTV cameras as well, as you may be able to access the footage.
If your vehicle is severely damaged, involved in a ‘hit and run’, or the other driver is uninsured, you should report the incident to the police. This can help with any insurance claims – be sure to take note of the police report number as you may need to provide this to your insurer.
Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, it might also be equipped with eCall functionality. This means that an emergency response centre is automatically notified in the event of a crash. This can alert an operator to contact you and provide assistance.
When it comes to repairing your vehicle, small scratches may be possible for you to fix yourself. Anything beyond minor scratches to paintwork should be handled by professional panel beaters.
What to do if you damage another vehicle while parking
If anyone is trapped or injured first call Triple 000.
Otherwise, park your vehicle if safe to do so without further damaging the vehicle.
If the car is occupied, calmly exchange your details with the other party. This should include your:
- Name
- Address
- Phone number
- Car registration
- Insurance details
If the car is unoccupied, leave a note with your contact details and car registration. Fasten the note securely to the car by placing it under a windscreen wiper.
The information provided is general advice only. Before making any decisions please consider your own circumstances and the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations. For copies, visit racv.com.au. As distributor, RACV Insurance Services Pty Ltd AFS Licence No. 230039 receives commission for each policy sold or renewed. Product(s) issued by Insurance Manufacturers of Australia Pty Ltd ABN 93 004 208 084 AFS Licence No. 227678.
