[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/car-insurance-claims\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/car-insurance-claims\/","headline":"The Causes of Most Car Insurance Claims","name":"The Causes of Most Car Insurance Claims","description":"When we think about car insurance claims, many of us picture major accidents \u2013 dramatic crashes and write-offs that make the headlines. But in reality, the vast majority of claims result from more common, everyday incidents, such as parking scrapes or confusion at roundabouts. And, of course, these accidents aren\u2019t always due to our own driving mistakes \u2013 often, they\u2019re caused by the careless or reckless actions of others. At Grove & Dean, we’ve analysed insurance data from across the […]","datePublished":"2025-06-12","dateModified":"2025-06-12","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/alex-georgiou\/#Person","name":"Alex Georgiou","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/alex-georgiou\/","identifier":36,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/369427e1489695bcfae4d89ed1cb6471006b1064f3726e9e87590a1217cec512?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/369427e1489695bcfae4d89ed1cb6471006b1064f3726e9e87590a1217cec512?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/close-up-of-two-cars-damaged-in-road-traffic-accid-2024-10-20-10-22-35-utc-copy.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/close-up-of-two-cars-damaged-in-road-traffic-accid-2024-10-20-10-22-35-utc-copy.webp","height":800,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/car-insurance-claims\/","about":["CAR NEWS","LATEST CAR NEWS"],"wordCount":798,"articleBody":"When we think about car insurance claims, many of us picture major accidents \u2013 dramatic crashes and write-offs that make the headlines. But in reality, the vast majority of claims result from more common, everyday incidents, such as parking scrapes or confusion at roundabouts.And, of course, these accidents aren\u2019t always due to our own driving mistakes \u2013 often, they\u2019re caused by the careless or reckless actions of others.At Grove & Dean, we’ve analysed insurance data from across the UK and identified the two most frequent causes of claims: low-speed parking incidents and roundabout collisions.Accident Hotspots: Where Are Collisions Most Likely?According to the Department for Transport, urban roads are where accidents occur most frequently. In fact, urban roads are around ten times more hazardous than motorways, with a casualty rate of 719 per billion miles, compared to just 76 on motorways.Busy city streets \u2013 particularly near shopping centres and roundabouts \u2013 are hotspots for collisions.Take supermarket car parks, for example. Research shows that around 20% of all traffic accidents occur in car parks, with supermarket car parks being especially risky.According to Which?, your vehicle is twice as likely to be hit in a supermarket car park compared to a shopping centre.Roundabouts also feature heavily in accident statistics. A study of near-miss incidents reported by AA Accident Assist revealed that roundabouts were the most common locations for close calls, accounting for 20% of all near-miss scenarios in 2024. This is largely down to drivers failing to look properly, misjudging other vehicles\u2019 speeds, or simply being distracted.Parking BumpsParking, particularly in congested urban areas, can be a challenge \u2013 even with the help of automated parking technology. While readers of this article might consider themselves perfect parkers, others may misjudge spaces or fail to check their blind spots.These mistakes lead to a significant number of low-speed collisions, with parking incidents accounting for 20% of all car insurance claims in the UK.Roundabout ThumpsRoundabouts are designed to keep traffic flowing \u2013 but when drivers fail to follow the rules, they can quickly become chaotic. In fact, they are the most common locations for near-miss incidents, accounting for 20% of the 2,810 near-collisions reported to AA Accident Assist in 2024.Most of these incidents involve drivers misjudging distances, changing lanes suddenly, or failing to pay attention to what\u2019s happening around them.Research by NimbleFins into the cause of car accidents further highlights that failing to look properly contributes to over 30% of all crashes in the UK.Common roundabout issues include:Not yielding properly\u00a0\u2013 Pulling out too soon or failing to give way to traffic already on the roundabout is a common cause of accidents, especially when traffic is heavy and there\u2019s little room to manoeuvre.Last-minute lane changes\u00a0\u2013 Sudden lane changes without signalling can lead to side-swipe collisions, particularly in areas where lanes merge or diverge unexpectedly.Poor signalling\u00a0\u2013 Failing to indicate, or signalling incorrectly, can confuse other drivers and make it difficult for them to anticipate your movements.Tailgating \u2013 When traffic builds up on roundabouts, some drivers follow too closely. If the vehicle in front brakes suddenly, this often results in a rear-end collision.Staying out of TroubleWhile we can\u2019t control the behaviour of other drivers, we can stay alert and adjust our habits to help avoid accidents. Here are some tips to reduce your risk:Parking \u2013 Be aware of drivers who may be rushing or distracted. Don\u2019t rely solely on parking sensors \u2013 they\u2019re helpful, but nothing beats careful observation. Take your time when parking in crowded areas \u2013 a few extra moments can save you the stress of a claim.Roundabouts \u2013 Approach roundabouts with caution, particularly in busy areas. If another driver pulls out too early or changes lanes unpredictably, don\u2019t panic \u2013 let them go first. Always signal clearly to avoid confusing other drivers.And Beware Fridays!Interestingly, research shows that you\u2019re more likely to be involved in an accident on a Friday. A study by Lightfoot found that Friday is the worst day for accidents, with a noticeable increase in speeding, harsh braking, and aggressive driving as people rush to start their weekend. Fatigue and stress after a long week appear to play a role in this spike in risky behaviour.Staying safe on a Friday, especially during the evening commute, means being extra aware of drivers who may be tired, distracted, excited about the weekend, impatient or all four!So, whether it\u2019s a misjudged parking manoeuvre, a failure to yield at a roundabout, or distracted driving, the mistakes of others can have a serious impact on your safety. By being aware of accident hotspots and staying alert to the behaviour of other drivers, you can help reduce your risk \u2013 and avoid the hassle of dealing with an insurance claim."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"The Causes of Most Car Insurance Claims","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/car-insurance-claims\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]