Christmas shopping car crash: How to avoid this HUGE insurance risk
Low-speed collisions, high holiday stress. We've officially entered the Christmas chaos period.
Blaring horns, bumper to bumper lines, screeching tyres — nothing says Christmas spirit like heading to your local Westfield.
While online shopping is a godsend this time of year, many, many of us still prefer to handle Christmas shopping in person. And unfortunately, when tensions run high, so do the number of collisions.
Scraped bumpers, read-end hits, rushed driving and pedestrian near-misses are all common incidents that occur during the silly season.
According to AAMI, the insurer recorded a 36% increase in the number of car incidents during December 2024, compared to the monthly average.
The insurer also noted that, unsurprisingly, Saturday was the worst day to shop, with 1pm to 4:30pm being peak hours to avoid.
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When careless driving leads to insurance headaches: do you need to file a claim?
Minor incidents, like a small scratch or dent, may not always require an insurance claim, particularly if the cost of repairs doesn't exceed your excess.
However, bigger collisions, where damage is extensive, should be reported to your insurer with a claim.
The last thing any driver wants is to spike their premium during the festive season because of an avoidable situation.
To ensure a safe and stress-free experience during your next trip to the shops, don't forget to practice patience and do the the following:
- Take it slow. Drive at the recommended speed limit within the car park. Whizzing through small spaces with lots of cars is never a good idea.
- Use mirrors and double check blind spots. When reversing or maneuvering into tight spaces, always ensure the space is clear before moving your vehicle.
- Avoid distractions. This one is a given, but still worth the reminder! Put phones away and stay focused, especially when reversing.
- Check your surroundings before opening doors. Desperate times means many larger cars often squeeze themselves into tighter spaces. Always check your surroundings before opening doors.
So if you are heading out over the weekend to finalise your Christmas shopping, remember to slow down and drive safely.
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