Where's the best place to safely park your car?

Our latest claims data shows that nearly 30% of all motor claims lodged in the last 12 months were for parking related damage.¹ That's a lot of dings and prangs!

We've put together some parking do's and don'ts to help keep you, your car, and other road users safe.

Do's and Don'ts of parking your car

Do's

• Park legally - always park on the left hand side of the road and pay attention to any road signs or markings.²
• Be careful parking on steep hills - remember to engage the parking brake and angle your front wheels towards the kerb when you're facing downhill and away from the kerb when you're facing uphill.³
• Park further away from other shoppers at the mall or supermarket - that way, there's less chance of another car's door hitting your car.
• Take a photo of where you parked your car - as silly as it sounds, it can be hard to remember where you parked your car.  
• Consider where your car is parked. If you can't park off-street or in a garage, park in areas that have good visibility and lots of foot traffic.
• When you’re parking at night try to park in well-lit areas.
• There is nothing more annoying than door dents! Make sure you park straight and leave enough room for you and anyone parked next you to easily get in and out of your cars.
• Indicate for at least three seconds before slowing down to park.
• Look twice before pulling out of a car space - remember to check for vehicles and signal for at least 3 seconds before pulling out.
• If you have to stop on a busy road or high-speed area, try and park your car as far off the road as possible.⁴
• Check it's safe before opening your car door - keep an eye out for passing vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.
• If you do happen to damage someone else's car in a carpark, always leave a note.

Don'ts

• Park on busy or main roads - you'd be surprised at how often drivers collide with a parked car so the less busy the street the better.
• Park on muddy fields (unless you have a 4WD) - it's easy to get stuck and skid into another vehicle. It's important to also check your insurance policy as you may not be covered if you are driving off road. 
• Park on dark side streets - this can make your car a target for thefts and break-ins. Park somewhere with street lighting instead.
• Leaving your pets in a parked car - this is dangerous for your furry friends who can’t regulate their temperature like us. They may also get bored and start damaging your car's interior.
• Avoid leaving valuable stuff in your car. Laptops, phones, sunnies and other high cost valuables are a magnet for thieves. If you have to leave them there, make sure they’re out of sight.

Sources

¹ Tower claims data from 1 June 2021 - 30 June 2022.

^{2 & 3} Parking on the side of the road

⁴ How to park safely