A staggering two-thirds of Brits consider themselves nervous drivers, with one in four admitting to having accidently damaged another vehicle in a supermarket car park or having been on the receiving end of such an incident.
It’s no wonder then that an overwhelming nine in 10 drivers worry about car damage and take extra precautions to protect against any incidents.
In an effort to avoid dents and damage, half of Brits have resorted to parking across two spaces or deliberately parking next to a high-end vehicle in the hopes that the owner will be more cautious with their doors.
A small 9 per cent have also confessed to parking in parent and baby spaces, despite not having children with them, for the convenience of added protection on either side thanks to extra room.
The survey was conducted by The AA to highlight their Accident Assist service, a 24/7 support system for members. It has come with a tongue-in-cheek ‘drive-thru bubble wrap machine’ to show the lengths brits might go through to protect their cars.
TV personality Scarlett Moffatt, who took 14 attempts to pass her driving test, was the first to try out the drive-thru.
She commented: “Car parks can be a nightmare, especially with the size of some cars these days. It’s no small wonder people are afraid of getting their own vehicle scraped or dinged, and how many have accidentally done it to someone else.”
Nearly a quarter of drivers would be ‘very interested’ in paying for a parking space with a ‘dent-free guarantee’ to avoid damage from careless motorists and have to make a claim.
One in 10 admitting they wouldn’t know where to start and four in 10 getting frustrated with the admin involved in getting it fixed.
Tim Rankin, managing director of AA Accident Assist, said: “Even the smallest dents can add up to a significant hassle.”
“It’s not just about the appearance of the car, but the time, effort, and often money required to address these issues. We take care of it all as part of your membership giving you the freedom to drive with confidence.”