Stay Safe with Car Crash Tips
Recover More Quickly from Parking Lot Accidents with Auto Insurance
Dec 9, 2006
Review an auto insurance policy with an agent before heading to the mall. Liability coverage will protect policyholders if they hit another motorist, collision covers damage to a car in hit-and-run cases, and comprehensive coverage will cover damage by vandals, or the theft of a vehicle. The holiday shopping season means that malls and mall parking lots will be packed with hurried and distracted shoppers.
Auto Collision Insurance
Get updated auto collision insurance before heading into the holiday season because parking-lot collisions account for as many as one in five automobile insurance claims yearly, according to the Independent Insurance Agents of America (IIAA). The packed lots always seen during the Christmas season are prime territory for negligent drivers, burglars, pickpockets, carjackers, and vandals. In fact, an estimated 80 percent of crimes committed at shopping facilities occur in parking lots.
Auto Accident Insurance Considerations
The true cost of parking-lot fender benders to people with auto accident insurance could be twice as high as the numbers suggest. For every motorist who files a parking-lot auto accident insurance claim, "there is another who pays the repair costs out of his own pocket because he doesn't have the proper insurance, or because he feels it is more affordable over the long run than paying a higher insurance premium," says Madelyn Flanagan of the IIAA.
Auto Collision Insurance Protection
Protect individuals, families and cars from damage this holiday season with auto collision insurance. Following these helpful safety tips is a good start:
- Watch for cars cutting diagonally across lots and don't follow their example! Drive slowly and use a turn signal to signal turns.
- Be extra careful when backing out of spots. Be aware of cars waiting to get your spot, others who are backing out at the same time and reckless drivers who speed through lanes.
- Beware when mailing auto insurance premiums, gifts or greeting cards during the holiday season. Post Office parking lots have a very high number of accidents due to high customer turnover.
- Even the best car insurance coverages won't provide coverage if policyholders do something illegal. Don't park between spots, especially in busy lots. The makeshift spot may get you closer to the shopping, but possibly at the expense of retribution from fellow shoppers in the form of dented doors. Cutting across lots and ignoring signs is also illegal and a resulting accident may not be covered by full coverage auto insurance.
- During the day, park away from buildings to help avoid dings and dents from car doors, runaway shopping carts, or vandals. At night, avoid secluded areas to help avoid potential break-ins.
- Park in well-lit areas and complain to management if there are no adequately lit areas available. Management could be liable for personal injury if something untoward were to happen.
- Ask mall security to walk you to your car if you don't feel safe. They'll do it.
- Always make sure car windows are shut and doors are locked. Security devices like car alarms help keep cars safe and may result in full coverage auto insurance policy discounts.
- Have keys ready when approaching a car and check the backseat and under the car before getting in to stay safe.
- Keep all shopping bags out of the view of thieves.
- Keep a copy of the auto insurance policy or collision car insurance coverages card on hand at all times.
- Affordable auto insurance websites can provide a full coverage auto insurance policy that's reasonable, and help provide peace of mind during the holiday season.
Source: Independent Insurance Agents of America
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