Say yes to cheaper van, home and car insurance

Over £5 billion has been spent on 'fender bender' collisions by British motorists, a survey reveals today.

Conducted by eBay Motors, the research found that 22 million motorists have returned to their cars only to find a brand new dent or scratch from a 'hit and drive' incident.

The average driver, according to the survey, has spent £340 in repairing damage - ranging from small dents and bumps to smashed wing mirrors and damaged bumpers.

Mike Brewer, a motoring specialist, said such incidents are on the rise and drivers are now simply used to these appalling standards, with car insurance premiums likely to be affected as a consequence.

"It seems that a short stay in a British car park can now leave you with a dent in your bank balance as well as your paintwork," he said.

"Three quarters (74 per cent) of us have been on the receiving end of some type of damage in a car park and 38 per cent on the high street, yet despite this the research shows we're taking them less seriously than ever."

The study assessed 1,009 adults and revealed that just over half of the drivers would 'dent and run' and that over two thirds of incidents involve scratching paint work.