The majority of accidents that occur in Canada each year happen in parking lots. Fortunately, collisions at low speeds typically don’t cause serious injury; however, these accidents do cause a significant number of claims to be filed each year to repair damage to vehicles.
Remaining claims free is one way of keeping the cost of your car insurance down. You can lower your risk of a parking lot accident and decrease the likelihood you’ll need to file a claim against your Car Insurance by taking a few proactive steps.
Here are some tips to reduce your risk of getting in a parking lot accident:
Navigating the Parking Lot
- Use your turn signals – It’s always best to let other drivers know your intentions, but in parking lots many people don’t use their turn signals at all. It is critically important to let other drivers know in which direction you intend to turn or park. If it’s not too cold during daylight hours, use hand signals as well.
- Significantly reduce your speed – Driving slowly allows you more time to react to the unexpected. Pedestrians and drivers in parking lots are easily distracted, often in a hurry, and aren’t always looking where they’re going. If you’re driving more slowly and a car, cyclist, or pedestrian darts out in front of you, you’ll have more time to react to avoid a collision. Significantly reducing your speed increases your reaction time and greatly reduces the risk you’ll be involved in an accident.
Parking Your Vehicle
- Park further away – Is walking a little farther worth keeping the cost of your car insurance down? Yes! The best parking spot isn’t always the one that’s closest to the door! Parking further away means you’ll take a few extra steps, but you’ll lower your risk of an accident (and maybe your cholesterol, too!) when you pull in to, or out of, your spot. Parking in an open area also reduces the risk that someone will scrape or dent your vehicle when opening their car door. If you don’t need your vehicle repaired, you’ll keep you car insurance claims free and your insurance costs low.
- Back in to your parking spot – Most accidents occur when people leave their parking spaces. Backing into a spot reduces this risk by allowing you to see oncoming traffic when you pull out.
When Exiting the Lot
- Check, adjust, and use your mirrors – The importance of using your mirrors in a parking lot cannot be over emphasized. Often pedestrians walking between rows of parked cars bump in to sideview mirrors, changing their position. As you start your vehicle, always check and adjust the position of your mirrors before pulling out of your spot.
- Navigate sidewalks carefully – Look for pedestrians and watch out for cyclists. Many of the new bicycles are designed with one gear, no brakes, and are often ridden by teenagers focused on mobile devices.
- Remember vehicles on the road are traveling quickly – Professional cyclists often travel at a high rate of speed and most drivers are in a hurry, focusing mainly on the road ahead of them. Always use extreme caution when entering the roadway.
These tips are provided by Lanes Insurance to help you keep the cost of your Car Insurance low. Following these simple tips will reduce your risk of a parking lot accident and the likelihood you’ll need to file a claim against your car insurance.
Interested in other ways to reduce the cost of your car insurance or need a quote? Please contact us today if you have any questions!
