Have you ever damaged someone’s vehicle in a car park, or come back to your car to find a new dent or scratch on the paintwork? Collisions in car parks are surprisingly common, so it’s useful to know what to do if you find yourself in a car park with a damaged car.
It can be infuriating to find your parked car damaged, but it’s even more so when the person who damaged it didn't leave their details. So here are a few tips for what to do if it happens to you:
Report the incident to the car park security or mall firm. They may have CCTV footage that’s captured the entire event, which can help identify the person responsible.
Look for witnesses, such as other drivers or people who work in the mall, such as the person collecting the trolleys. If you’ve witnessed someone else damaging a parked car, pass on any information you have to the innocent party.
Get in touch with your insurer. They can advise on next steps based on the type of cover you have. If the damage is minor and can be repaired for less than the cost of your excess, you may want to consider paying for the repairs out of your own pocket.
Under our Comprehensive Car Insurance policy, we'll cover damage to your car, whether you find the person responsible or not.
If you’ve damaged someone else's car, these are your obligations, as outlined in the Road Code:
If you damage someone else's property, you’re legally required to give your contact details and registration number to the owner within 48 hours, unless of course you can’t because of injury.
If you hit a parked car or are involved in a collision, and don't know who the owner is or how to contact them, you should report it to the police within 60 hours. You can leave a note with your details tucked under the windscreen wipers of the other person’s car.
You can find more about the code and driving in New Zealand on Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency’s website.
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Any questions?
Now’s a great time to review your insurance. We recommend checking your details are up to date and ensuring the policy and cover you’ve chosen is right for you and your insurance needs.
If you have any questions about your insurance, need to update your AA Insurance policies or would like a quote, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re open from 8am to 8pm weekdays and from 8am to 6pm weekends and public holidays.
This blog provides general information only and is not intended to be a recommendation or personalised financial advice. Excesses, terms, conditions, limits and exclusions apply to AA Insurance Limited’s policies. Please check the policy wording for details of cover. The provision of cover is subject to the underwriting criteria that apply at the time.