How Small Mistakes Can Lead to Big Costs… and How to Avoid Them
When people think of car insurance claims, they often imagine major crashes or dramatic scenes. But in reality, many claims involve far less serious incidents – like scrapes in supermarket car parks or mix-ups at roundabouts.
Grove & Dean, a chartered insurance broker, looked into the data and trends behind some of the UK’s most common insurance claims.
Two scenarios stand out: low-speed parking bumps and roundabout collisions. So here’s what’s happening – and how to stay out of trouble (it may seem obvious but it could save you time and money!).
Low-Speed Parking Accidents
Tight car parks, busy shopping centres, and limited visibility all make parking one of the most common causes of minor insurance claims. In fact, up to 20% of all claims involve some sort of car park bump.
How to avoid them:
- Check mirrors and blind spots before moving
- Use parking sensors and cameras as an aid, but don’t rely on them completely (an all too common issue nowadays)
- Drive slowly and don’t rush your manoeuvres
Roundabout Accidents
Roundabouts are designed to keep traffic flowing and reduce the risk of serious collisions – but they’re also confusing for many drivers (try driving around the South Mimms roundabout of Hyde Park Corner and you’ll know what we mean). Research shows that one in four UK drivers has experienced a near miss at a roundabout.
Here are the most frequent causes of roundabout claims:
- Not giving way to the right
Many drivers pull out too early, misjudging traffic already on the roundabout.
How to Avoid it: Approach slowly and be sure the way is clear before moving. - Using the wrong lane
Switching lanes or cutting across traffic to make a last-minute exit causes countless prangs.
How to Avoid it: Know your exit in advance and stay in the correct lane. If in doubt, go around again. - Failing to signal correctly
Incorrect or missing signals confuse other drivers and lead to poor decisions.
How to Avoid it: Only signal left when you’re about to exit, and cancel your indicator afterwards. - Rear-end collisions
Sudden stops and tailgating in roundabout queues often end with bumped bumpers. And never anticipate the actions of the driver in front of you.
How to Avoid it: Keep a safe distance, keep aware of the traffic in front of you, and brake smoothly. - Not seeing motorbikes or cyclists
Smaller road users can be missed when changing lanes or exiting.
How to Avoid it: Always check your mirrors and blind spots.
Where Are Accidents Most Likely to Happen?
According to Department for Transport figures, motorways are the UK’s safest roads per mile, with 76 casualties per billion miles travelled. Urban roads, in contrast, are the most dangerous, with 719 casualties per billion miles. So now you know…
Although it may seem obvious, being extra cautious in car parks and giving roundabouts your full attention, you can reduce the risk of minor accidents – and avoid the hassle and expense of making a claim.
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