People opening their doors on your car in carparks.

What is your general response to someone opening their door on your car and/or how do you avoid it happening in the first place?

Last weekend I parked in a populated car park where the bays were pretty narrow. As I got out, a little girl was about to get in to the car beside me and I could see what was about to happen so I stood there and watched. Sure enough, she opened her car door and slammed it open on the side of my car.

She was young.. about 7 ish so probably didn't really know better but it left a ding in my door. Her mother was on the other side of the car putting a baby in a car seat but she saw what happened.
I spoke to the girl for a couple of minutes and told her that it's not OK to open your car door on someone else's car door. Her mother didn't scream and shout at me so seemed ok with me gently telling off her daughter, so that's a plus I suppose.

I didn't really pursue it because my car is covered in dings and scratches anyway.. and then I realised... all of those dings and scratches are from other people in car parks.
Almost every panel has a dent or a scratch. There has to be something that can be done to avoid this, surely? What do you lot do when you don't catch people in the act? Is there some really obvious answer to this that I haven't realised?

[CyberWasp]

What I don't understand is if someone nudges you from behind at the lights you have every right to get their details and claim in on insurance and get it fixed.
If someone opens their doors on your car and does damage it is not claimable. Why???

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

If someone opens their doors on your car and does damage it is not claimable. Why???

Isn't it really?? I didn't know that...
Where did you hear that?

[JC]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

What I don't understand is if someone nudges you from behind at the lights you have every right to get their details and claim in on insurance and get it fixed.
If someone opens their doors on your car and does damage it is not claimable. Why???

Surely it's claimable, just the cost to fix would be less than most excesses so it's not financially viable to claim. If you got the other person's details and they paid the excess, then you should claim it.

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

What I don't understand is if someone nudges you from behind at the lights you have every right to get their details and claim in on insurance and get it fixed.
If someone opens their doors on your car and does damage it is not claimable. Why???

It is claimable, exchange details and hand to insurance company job done.

[LTDHO]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

If someone opens their doors on your car and does damage it is not claimable. Why???

You are 100% wrong!

Back on topic.
As a rule most car users do not car for their or anyone elses cars, it's just a mode of transport to get somewhere without walking. Kids today are not shown to be careful or show respect so they literally do not care.

Best thing to do it park away and walk.

[GTP534]

When I park the Territory at the railway station I will always try to park between 2 cars already there. Reduces the risk of getting a ding by 50%. If I can park next to a column, with 2 other cars already there, that reduces the risk by 75%. After a while you get to see who leaves before or after you. The wildcard is that the person next to you leaves and someone else parks there!!

I try the same at the shopping centres.

I have found I have fewer dings after adopting this strategy when compared to the days I would try and park where there were no cars!

[Rallye Sport]

My partner parks in a public carpark outside her work, no matter how many times I pop the dents out and polish out the marks they're back again the next week.
I never park any of my good cars in public places, sad really, it'd be nice to stop for a coffee or lunch when out cruising but I can't relax and enjoy it, I'm just waiting to get back to my car to find it damaged.
My daily I couldn't car less about although I try not to park next to cars with visible baby seats or kiddy sun shades on the windows.
If I do catch someone (and have) I just open my door even harder on their car.

[Tassie f100]

Well really it doesn't matter whether you scrape the gate post,or some numpty opens the car door in the carpark, or you get dented by a trolley it still costs a couple of hundred dollars minimum to get it fixed.So why shouldn't the guilty party pay for the damage? As the Wasp said if someone hits you on the road they are liable so whats the difference

Would it be a bit obsessive to install a 360 degree camera inside your car that records when it's parked? Running off a secondary battery perhaps. At least that way you'd have proof of it happening and hopefully it records their number plate as they drive away.

My next car has a lot of sentimental value (despite it not being a particularly expensive car) and I don't want `tards damaging it on me.

This looks awesome - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lb3FuqDRmZo

[GO FURTHER]

Here's my idea....

https://fordforums.com.au/showpost.p...postcount=1774

Sounds handy but what a pain in the *** to put them on and take them off every day?

I've just moved house and was considering cancelling my work car park to take the train but leaving a car in a train car park all day sounds like I'm just asking for trouble doesn't it.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by leesa

What do you lot do when you don't catch people in the act? Is there some really obvious answer to this that I haven't realised?

Most people are lazy and park close to the entrance to avoid the walk.
I usually park away from the crowd, if that's not possible park next to equally well kept cars.

[FairmontGS]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

Most people are lazy and park close to the entrance to avoid the walk.
I usually park away from the crowd, if that's not possible park next to equally well kept cars.

^^ I park as far away as possible.

I also generally don't drive, I walk. Car wins, fitness wins.

[ronwest]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

Most people are lazy and park close to the entrance to avoid the walk.
I usually park away from the crowd, if that's not possible park next to equally well kept cars.

Same here.

My 4 year old G6E had only one mark on one door (I won't mention that I actually put it there...)

My 12 month old Calais V has none.

I'm obsessive about door dings. I'll walk a good distance if I have to but if too difficult I'll go elsewhere.

Having the BF ute takes a lot of the stress out of it

[DFB FGXR6]

A couple of points -

1. Parking next to that shiny black Merc isn't always a great idea. These are increasingly driven by the "a car is an A to B device" type of person who has simply bought on the badge alone. So don't assume that because its a expensive euro that person is going worry about car park dings.

2. Being the type that go's to great lengths to park far, far away form other cars to avoid damage, to then find someone has parked right next to me, in a virtually empty car park is a great source of wonderment and frustration. Now it may be a safe bet to park next to someone like me, because I certainly wont be dinging my doors on someone else's vehicle, but have some respect and perhaps leave a spot or three.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

A couple of points -

1. Parking next to that shiny black Merc isn't always a great idea. These are increasingly driven by the "a car is an A to B device" type of person who has simply bought on the badge alone. So don't assume that because its a expensive euro that person is going worry about car park dings.

Ooh, that was hurtful

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

A couple of points -

1. Parking next to that shiny black Merc isn't always a great idea. These are increasingly driven by the "a car is an A to B device" type of person who has simply bought on the badge alone. So don't assume that because its a expensive euro that person is going worry about car park dings.

Beat me to it, and a lot of these cars a leased and the owner could not give two hoots if it gets damaged as in reality he does not even own it.

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

2. Being the type that go's to great lengths to park far, far away form other cars to avoid damage, to then find someone has parked right next to me, in a virtually empty car park is a great source of wonderment and frustration.

This is a strange phenomenon, as I have experienced this on numerous occasions myself, it makes no sense but happens too regularly to be just coincidence.

[FG50T]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

2. Being the type that go's to great lengths to park far, far away form other cars to avoid damage, to then find someone has parked right next to me, in a virtually empty car park is a great source of wonderment and frustration. Now it may be a safe bet to park next to someone like me, because I certainly wont be dinging my doors on someone else's vehicle, but have some respect and perhaps leave a spot or three.

This happens to me weekly. Even if I park in the most bizarre, inconvenient area of a car park in an area no one parks in. Sure enough someone will roll straight up and park right beside me. It's a psychological thing I think with some people. I've parked countless times where I am the only person in the car park and someone will still roll up right beside me.

[roddy1960]

G'day , Wouldn't someone make a mint if they invented some sort of stick on rub strip that you could retro fit and remove as you saw fit or would that be counter productive so that people would take even less care BECAUSE the rub strip was there ?
I work at a school so whenever I take the XR6 to work which isn't often I'm always nervous about some kid or big kid ramming open their door onto my car.
It happens because on the old AU I'll find the odd new mark/indent on the paint that I'm pretty sure has resulted from somebody parking too close. I know space is a premium in big car parks but if they allowed an extra few centimetres in the bays and if some people actually centred their cars properly this would be less of a frustration for all.
Cheers Rod.

[Junkyard-Dog]

Yep, this is one that grinds my gears for sure.

[PooDog]

We always go way down the far corner where no one parks and park in the centre of two parks ....and if we know there's nowhere to park il take the work hack coz imo there's nothing worse than those little creases on a nice straight panel ....and no one seams to give a f@#k

[.:4:.]

I'm sort of, of the opinion that a car says alot about the person. Even if it's something 20 years old and cheap as, if it's neat and tidy then it says something. Even if the paints not the best and there are a few battle scars, if it's clear that some effort has been made to atleast remove the other paint from the wound then it atleast shows some pride. I get that not everyone is in bed with a panel beater or spray painter, and also not all damage is self inflicted, but cars aren't the cheapest things and it **** me to tears when others treat them as a disposable item. I don't drive anything flash. But I own it. I had to pay money that I had to work for to buy it. Pretty simple. Yet people still don't care and to be fair often show signs of not being able to drive. It's not hard to park a car and not wang the car beside with your door.

[ronwest]

Originally Posted by .:4:.

I don't drive anything flash. But I own it. I had to pay money that I had to work for to buy it.

I agree with that.

It's only since my mid 40's that we've been able to afford decent cars.

From that point my earlier hard work put us in a good financial position - zero debt, and the ability to purchase stuff without going into debt.

BUT, the earlier life lessons stick with you.

Simply put, I look after my stuff because I haven't always been able to have it.

[M&Ms]

People in general just see cars as an A to B mode of transport, and hence don't give a stuff about their dents or denting other cars. I personally park away from Toyotas of any kind (especially Camry's), ideally next to a flashy car if possible ('find the black Benz' challenge), or if I can park next to a column or wall, I'll park up as close as possible to it to avoid numptys being physically able to open doors on to my metal. Best spots are those where you're the only one between two poles.
However, I've learnt to accept that my car will cop eventual scratches and dings in carparks, and try not to lose sleep over it, and at the end of the day, I do hope I never catch the culprit in person as to avoid any assault charge.

[Nanoraptor]

Originally Posted by M&Ms

People in general just see cars as an A to B mode of transport, and hence don't give a stuff about their dents or denting other cars. I personally park away from Toyotas of any kind (especially Camry's), ideally next to a flashy car if possible ('find the black Benz' challenge)

The one time I lost it at someone opening a car door on mine, I had finished shopping and was sitting in my daily with the windows down and browsing on my phone. A fellow in a really nice celica with very nice paint pulled up next to me way too close, and opened the door straight into my passenger side.

I said "hey come on...." and he looked down in the window straight at me, said nothing, and walked off.

After he'd gone I opened my passenger door and kicked it from the inside into his repeatedly. I regret losing it and doing that, but can't say I didn't enjoy it immensely.

[Yaw]

Australian road rules Link:
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/s...r210/s269.html

Qld Road Rules:
https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/L...ntOpRURR09.pdf

Road rule 269.

If you have comprehensive insurance it is claimable.

Keep in mind though the at fault person is the one that opened the door or left it open in the first place. Do not confuse this with the owner or driver of the car or in case of like case in point, the at fault person is the child.

Most insurers will state if can can give the name and address of the at fault person an excess will not be payable.

However in this case if you only obtained the mothers details, you have not satisfied the above proviso, you would need the child's full name and address.

As far as weather or not your insurer can recover from the at fault person is a problem for them, not you if you have met what the PDS states you must meet.

In most cases like what was described by the original poster insurers would/should waive the excess if you obtained the at fault persons name and address and as it was a minor would probably not attempt recovery.

YOU CANNOT legally hold a parent/guardian negligent for actions of the child.

[roKWiz]

Don't think I've ever had a carpark ding.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Don't think I've ever had a carpark ding.

image

But I bet that would be handy in a 'Duel'