Article - How to avoid car parking misery

Car parks are the bane of the lives of millions of motorists, both in the UK and all over the world. No matter how many spaces are created, there are never enough and every driver has experienced the unbearably slow and miserable crawl around a car park on a hot, muggy day, just waiting for a space to crop up. Multi-storeys are the worst; numerous layers of concrete that you are well aware will always come out on top if pitted against your car.

Most appear to be designed by someone who has a fondness for tight corners and a passion for pillars. It is difficult to believe that this person actually drives a car at all and seems much more likely that they may in fact hold a grudge against those motorists who are foolish enough to want to take their car to such a place.

It also seems that the designer of the wickedest type of multi-storeys may well have mislaid his tape measure just about the time when the width of car parking spaces was being determined. This commonly results in spaces that, while perfect for all those who drive Minis, do not seem to be able to accommodate the average car with more than a few millimetres to spare.

Considering these observations, the fact that 20% of UK motor insurance claims are made following incidents in car parks will come as little surprise to most drivers. Some of these are made following car break-ins, mostly carried out by dingy characters in even dingier car parks. However, many of them arise out of minor shunts either involving two cars or one car and an inanimate but very unyielding object such as a wall, bollard or pillar.

When a driver makes a claim on their car insurance policy, their premium will rise the following year. This is because they will lose their no claims bonus, unless they have paid extra for their motor insurance premium so that the money-saving bonus is protected.

So what are the best ways of dealing with car parks if you want to preserve your cheap car insurance premium?

Well, the first step is to choose wisely when you are deciding which car park to use. Picking a car park that is in a handy position but is usually full probably isn't such a good choice because the longer you spend trawling through the levels, the greater the chance you will be involved in an accident.

By selecting a car park that is a little further away from where you want to be but is quieter, you will not only reduce the time you spend parking but also be less likely to have a crunch because there are less cars around.

Choosing a light and airy car park is also a good idea for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the illuminated conditions are likely to put off any potential thieves, although it is still recommended that you don't leave any valuable possessions on show. Secondly, you are less likely to have to make a costly claim on your motor insurance as a result of a collision with an object that was difficult to see in the gloom.

There is nothing worse than coming back to your car and finding that someone has bumped into it and not left their details. It's sadly not at all unusual to discover your wing-mirror hanging off your car, especially if you are parked on one of the corner bays of a car park. Choosing a space that isn't on the edge of a row will ensure that you do not get clunked by a passing car.

Selecting a car park space is also a little like choosing a house; it is very wise to take into consideration your car park space neighbours. Are either of the cars next to yours in a dreadful condition with lots of bumps and dents? A 'yes' answer means that this may not be an ideal spot to leave your polished-every-Sunday pride and joy.

duck2water hopes that these little tips will help to keep your car in tip top condition and prevent the need to make any costly claims on your precious cheap car insurance policy.

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