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Parking prangs rack up $43 million

NRMA Insurance has taken in 27,000 claims for parking accidents in NSW in the past year – and it says most occur in shopping centres.

Parking claims make up 16% of all NRMA car insurance claims in NSW and cost the insurer more than $43 million. Bingles cost an average of $1600 to repair.

NRMA spokesman John Hallah says shopping centre collisions include “hitting other vehicles, trolleys, railings, walls and poles, posts or pylons. Many are caused when reversing.”

And while 80% of drivers say they would leave details if they damaged a parked car, claims data reveals just 50% actually do so.

It’s particularly perilous in Penrith, with the western Sydney suburb recording the most claims, followed closely by the Sydney central business district.