Drivers are urged to take extra caution when driving through the streets of Auckland Central as it takes the infamous crown for top suburb for vehicle collisions.
Based on claims data between June 1, 2019 – May 31, 2021, State Insurance ranked the top ten areas for vehicle collisions with Auckland Central topping the list with 831 vehicle collisions.
Second on the list was Christchurch Central with 512 vehicle collisions and third was Hastings with 478.
The survey also revealed the most dangerous time to drive is between 1-6pm on weekdays, with more than 42 percent of these collisions taking place between then.
Followed by the late morning with 23 percent of collisions taking place between 10am-1pm.
State Insurance advises drivers in an event of a collision to make sure everyone is okay, exchange details with the other driver and any witnesses, take photographs of the damage, check if the other party has insurance and encourage them to lodge a claim and contact your own insurer.
State’s Executive General Manager, Claims, Wayne Tippet says the latest data provides a timely reminder of the importance of putting safety front of mind when stepping into a vehicle.
"Regardless of your age, driving experience, or time of day that you’re on the road – safety has got to be the number one priority for all of us when we get behind the wheel," Tippet said in a statement.
"Our claims data shows that most of the collisions are happening in busy centres at busy times of the day, and while it’s tempting to multi-task while sitting in slow moving traffic or speed through an intersection as the lights are turning red – it’s not worth it."
The call for extra caution comes as a recent survey by State and Ipsos revealed that 44 percent of Kiwi drivers have considered the value of their vehicle in the past 12 months, and only 48% know how much it would cost to replace their car through a car dealership if it was written off in an accident or stolen and unrecovered.
The same survey showed that only 64 percent of car owners are confident their vehicle replacement cover matches their vehicle’s current market value.
Tippet said because of a global shortage of computer chips used in car production disrupting the supply chain, more buyers are turning to the used car market.
"Given these trends, we’re calling on all car owners to check their vehicle insurance details to ensure there is enough cover in place to replace their vehicle against its current market value, in the event of a total loss."
"Doing so will, at the very least, provide peace of mind that any future insurance settlement will be enough to cover a replacement vehicle of a similar age, mileage and overall quality," he said.
Top 10* car collision locations around New Zealand:
Auckland Central (831)
Christchurch Central (512)
Henderson (478)
Mount Maunganui (397)
Mount Wellington (355)
Palmerston North (347)
Albany (344)
Dunedin Central (304)
Hamilton Central (295)
Hutt Central (286)
In the event of a collision, State recommends drivers:
Stop where it is safe to do so and make sure everyone’s okay.
Exchange details with the other driver including the other driver’s name, their address, phone number, email, license number, and their vehicle registration number.
Take photographs of all damage.
Check if the other party has insurance and encourage them to lodge a claim also. Take a note of their insurance company if they know it.
Collect the details of any witnesses.
Contact your insurer to lodge your claim.
