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We all know about urban myths and legends, but are they true? AMI insurance has used their data to test seven common myths.
Myth 1: Shopping carparks are a top spot for vehicle dings and scrapes. The data shows that between June 2022 and May 2023, AMI received 6,541 claims related to supermarket or shopping centre incidents, with 1.8% of those claims being for more than $10,000. Most claims were made on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Verdict: Probably true.
Myth 2: Red cars cost more to insure. AMI’s Executive General Manager Claims, Wayne Tippet, states that the color of a car does not affect insurance premiums. Verdict: False.
Myth 3: Putting a water-damaged phone in rice will dry it out. AMI received 2,781 claims for water-damaged phones, and about 6% of those people had tried the rice trick without success. However, people who successfully used this trick wouldn’t need to make an insurance claim. Verdict: Undetermined.
Myth 4: It’s bad luck to walk under a ladder. AMI had 688 claims related to ladders in the last year, mostly for dropped phones or glasses. Verdict: Undetermined.
Myth 5: You’re more likely to crash close to home. AMI’s data suggests this myth is true, with many claims made for cars damaged while parked at home. Verdict: True.
Myth 6: Lightning never strikes the same place twice. AMI received 430 claims related to lightning damage in 2022. The top three lightning spots in New Zealand were Waikato, Auckland, and Canterbury. Verdict: Undetermined.
Myth 7: Don’t shower during a thunderstorm. In the last 10 years, AMI received only one claim related to this myth, when lightning struck a hot water overflow pipe on a roof. Verdict: Probably false.
Whether these myths are true or not, AMI is committed to supporting its customers when the unexpected happens.
