Car damage is not something you want or anticipate. But if you take out adequate car insurance, you can have the costs reimbursed. However, the best thing to do is to prevent damage altogether. So check out our tips below.
Distraction plays a role in many road accidents. Research shows that using a mobile in the car is the main cause of this (source: SWOV). But apart from using mobile phones or apps, many drivers are also engaged in other activities that can distract them. Examples include configuring a navigation system, eating and drinking, talking to passengers or daydreaming.
Especially if you travel a long distance, it helps to take a short break after 2 hours of driving. That keeps you fresh and sharp. Bringing a bottle of water for the road is no luxury either.
Your child is much less likely to suffer serious injuries in a collision if you use the right car seat and if you secure the car seat and your child correctly. When you know the little one is safe in the back, you can concentrate better on the road. VeiligheidNL has developed an infographic (in Dutch) with clear instructions on how to drive safely on the road with children up to 9 years old.
Do you know what the different lights in your car mean when they suddenly switch on? Can you change a tyre or top up the oil yourself? No? Never mind! You are certainly not the only one. If you do break down, it does help if you have some basic knowledge of your car. Car insurance with good breakdown cover helps if you cannot solve the problem yourself.
Not even if you stop for a short while at a car park. A window is quickly smashed! Or make sure your valuables are out of sight. In big cities, drive with the car door locked and always take your car key with you, even if you leave your car for a short time, for example to go and get cash.
Try to park the car somewhere sheltered such as under some type of roof or put an air mattress, piece of cardboard or blanket on the car to prevent nasty dents. In high winds, watch out for falling roof tiles or branches that are broken off. Still a dent? Make it easy to repair car damage through the ABN AMRO Claims Service.
Damage during parking is common. You will not be the only one who overlooked the (parking) bollard. Parking sensors are handy and warn you when an object is nearby. Still, stay alert because sometimes things do go wrong. Do not risk parking in that too-small parking space. Before you know it, there is a dent in your door.
Check your lights. Not only will you avoid a fine, but more importantly, you will be highly visible and your own visibility will be better too. Do you still have good visibility through the windscreen or are those wipers really due for replacement now? And while you're at it, what about tyre pressure? Regular checking ensures less wear and therefore less chance of a puncture. Proper tyre pressure will also save you a lot of fuel.
This not only prevents a collision if the car in front of you suddenly has to stop. You will also be less likely to get a chip in your windscreen from a stone that is thrown up if you keep your distance. Did you know that most rear-end collisions are caused by not keeping enough distance? And the penalty notices (in Dutch) for this starts at €280? A useful and well-known principle is to always keep at least a 2 second gap from the car in front.
You should not drive with more than a 0.5 blood alcohol level (about 2 glasses). Stricter rules apply to novice drivers. The best thing, of course, is not to drink at all if you have to drive. In fact, research shows that alcohol always affects your ability to react when something happens in traffic (source: Trimbos Institute/Alcoholinfo.nl). Even if you have only had 2 glasses of wine or beer. Did you know that your insurance will not pay anything if your blood alcohol level is higher than 0.5?
