Ever wondered where one of the most dangerous places for your car to be in is? What do you call the place where cars tend to get damaged more than anywhere else? The parking lot, of course.
A new study conducted by Advocate Auto Consultants comes to reinforce the idea that, despite common conception, a car which is standing still is in a bigger threat to its physical integrity than while on the move.
The study shows that there are 6.3 million car accidents recorded in the US each year, with a big chunk of that, 1.26 million, taking place in parking lots. The carnage in the nation's parking lots gets even more disturbing during the Christmas holiday, when the number of crashes at these locations jumps by 20 percent.
The main reason behind this increase is, of course, the increase in the number of cars fighting for a parking space in the shopping centers' lots. More cars, same number of spots as throughout the year equals an increase in crashes.
Now, Advocate Auto Consultants conducted this study with a purpose. According to them, newer car models involved in crashes which result in $2,500 or more in damages can go to their insurer and reclaim the diminished value (the reduction in a vehicle's market value occurring after a vehicle is wrecked and repaired) they are entitled too.
“They are eligible to reclaim the Diminished Value that the Insurance Companies often choose not to inform the Victims about. During the busy holiday season, more people are impacted by Diminished Value and Americans just can't afford to lose this money," said Tom Coletta, Advocate Auto Consultants CEO.
A new study conducted by Advocate Auto Consultants comes to reinforce the idea that, despite common conception, a car which is standing still is in a bigger threat to its physical integrity than while on the move.
The study shows that there are 6.3 million car accidents recorded in the US each year, with a big chunk of that, 1.26 million, taking place in parking lots. The carnage in the nation's parking lots gets even more disturbing during the Christmas holiday, when the number of crashes at these locations jumps by 20 percent.
The main reason behind this increase is, of course, the increase in the number of cars fighting for a parking space in the shopping centers' lots. More cars, same number of spots as throughout the year equals an increase in crashes.
Now, Advocate Auto Consultants conducted this study with a purpose. According to them, newer car models involved in crashes which result in $2,500 or more in damages can go to their insurer and reclaim the diminished value (the reduction in a vehicle's market value occurring after a vehicle is wrecked and repaired) they are entitled too.
“They are eligible to reclaim the Diminished Value that the Insurance Companies often choose not to inform the Victims about. During the busy holiday season, more people are impacted by Diminished Value and Americans just can't afford to lose this money," said Tom Coletta, Advocate Auto Consultants CEO.