Common damage in parking lots: here's a tip to protect yourself from paying the bills!

Parking lots are supposed to be a safe haven for cars, but in reality, whether they're surface-level or multi-story, car damage is a common occurrence . Sometimes, after just parking for a while, you return to find a scratch, a loose license plate, or a dented bumper—a sure recipe for frustration. Even more problematic, the perpetrator can't be found, the management office may not respond, and insurance coverage is limited , leaving you with the final bill.

What are the most common types of parking lot damage? And what's the best way to protect yourself after it happens? Today, combining expert advice and personal experience, I'll share a few simple self-protection tips to minimize or eliminate your losses.

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1. Common types of vehicle damage in parking lots

1. Car body scratches and dents

• Reasons: The neighboring car opened the door carelessly, parking skills were poor, the car body was too wide, pedestrians pushed the car, and the parking space was too narrow.
• My experience: "I once parked my car in a shopping mall parking lot and returned two hours later to find a long scratch on the passenger door. There was no CCTV coverage nearby, so I had no way to trace it. I had to pay for the repairs myself. It was so frustrating!"

2. Damaged bumper

• Cause: Hitting a wall, pile, or pillar while reversing, or being hit by a reversing neighboring car.
• My experience: "A friend's car accidentally scraped into a corner while trying to squeeze into a tight spot, cracking the bumper. He tried to claim insurance, but the deductible ended up being more than the cost of the repair!"

3. License plate is loose or lost

• Causes: Collision, accidental removal during towing, malicious damage.
• My experience: "My license plate was knocked loose once and nearly fell off on my way home. Luckily I caught it early."

4. Car windows and mirrors are broken

• Causes: Reversing collision, sudden opening of the door of the adjacent car, and poor parking lot management.
• My experience: "I once parked in an outdoor parking lot and returned to find my rearview mirror smashed when it rained. The person who caused the accident had already left, and calling the police only left a record."

5. Theft of property from the vehicle

• Reasons: parking lot security negligence, car owner neglected to lock the door, and the window was not tightened.
• My experience: "A relative once forgot to put away his GPS and had his car window smashed, causing him serious damage."

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2. Causes and Responsibility for Parking Lot Damage

1. The neighboring car caused the accident but the owner was not at the scene <br>In most cases, the perpetrator will just "walk away". Unless there are eyewitnesses at the scene or CCTV clearly captures the license plate, it is difficult to hold him accountable.

2. Problems with parking lot design or management <br>For example, raised ground, narrow parking spaces, insufficient lighting, and unclear signs. The management company bears some responsibility, but actual compensation claims are difficult.

3. Weather or natural disasters <br>Damage caused by falling rocks, branches, strong winds, and heavy rain is considered force majeure and you are usually responsible.

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3. Blind spots in insurance claims

• The deductible is high <br>Many car insurance policies (especially "body damage") have a deductible, usually $2,000-$5,000. Sometimes the repair cost of minor damage is not as much as the deductible.
• If the perpetrator is unknown, the insurance company may deduct a "no compensation discount"
  If the person who caused the accident cannot be caught, the insurance company will pay the claim, but the premium will likely increase significantly next year, which is not worth the loss.
• Some parking lots have exemption clauses <br>Many parking lot admission clauses state "park at your own risk", and even if damage occurs, the management office will usually not compensate.

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4. The editor teaches you a self-protection method: "Dash Cam + Photo Evidence"

Why is this the most effective method?

• CCTV Dash Cam is not only useful on the road, but also important when parking!
• Most new dashcams now have a "parking monitoring mode". Even after the engine is turned off, the front and rear cameras of the car can still detect collisions or abnormal movements and automatically record.
• If you find damage to your car, take photos with your mobile phone immediately , including the damaged area, the panoramic view of the scene, surrounding parked vehicles, and the parking lot environment (whether there is CCTV, ground signs, etc.).

The detailed steps are as follows:

1. Install a dashcam with parking mode

   • The front and rear lenses are optimal, covering all blind spots.
   • Choose a model that supports long-term recording and automatic saving when detecting collisions.
   • Remember to connect it professionally during installation so as not to consume too much battery.

2. Check the camera is working properly before and after each parking.

   • Some recorders will prompt "Collision has been recorded" so that you can check for any abnormalities immediately.

3. If damage is found, take photos and record videos immediately on site

   • Take pictures of the damaged area, license plate, surrounding environment, and ground marks.
   • If a neighboring car looks suspicious (e.g., it has fresh scratches), take a picture of its license plate.

4. Ask the parking lot management for CCTV footage

   • Request to review and register the report on the spot, and call the police if necessary.
   • Editor's experience: "The front of my car was dented. Luckily, my camera clearly captured the neighboring car reversing into it. I immediately called the police and handed over the footage, and the other party eventually agreed to compensate privately."

5. Report to the police (especially important)

   • Only with a police report can there be a basis for claims, otherwise the insurance company may not accept it.
   • Even if the damage is minor, it is recommended to report it to the police and keep a record.

6. Notify the insurance company and submit all evidence

   • Having videos, photos, and police reports available will maximize claims processing efficiency and help protect your "no compensation discount" rights.

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5. Advanced Self-Insurance Tips

• Choose a parking space with CCTV coverage and adequate lighting <br>close to the entrance and exit and management office to reduce the chance of damage.
• Try to avoid blind spots, narrow areas, and places near pillars .<br>These places are most likely to be hit.
• Inspect all around the vehicle before leaving to identify problems early .<br>It is much easier to deal with them immediately on the spot than to hold people accountable afterwards.
• Do not leave valuables in the car <br>to avoid attracting thieves. Most insurance policies will not cover stolen property in the car.
• Regularly check the dash cam's memory card and battery level to keep recording uninterrupted.

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6. Editor's summary: A small action can protect your precious car

Editor's thoughts:
"Ever since installing the parking camera dashcam, I've been able to reconstruct the truth every time I encounter car damage. One time, the other party denied the collision, but once the video came out, they had no choice but to admit their fault. While I can't completely prevent damage, at least I don't have to be the one paying for repairs myself!"

In Hong Kong, parking lots are crowded with people and cars, making accidents difficult to completely prevent. The most important self-protection strategy is to take precautions every time you park (select a spot, take photos), collect evidence immediately (dashcam and mobile phone), and report the incident to the police immediately . This will give you a chance to obtain compensation and even hold the perpetrator accountable.

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Finally, a reminder: Install a parking camera and dashcam. After parking, take a look around and take photos. If anything goes wrong, call the police immediately. Never assume it's okay! This simple action can help you save money and maintain peace of mind!