You know the feeling. Inching your car closer as you trail another driver on their way to their parking spot at your local shopping centre.
You try not to look too eager, but after trailing for a minute or two, you see the person reverse out of the highly coveted free spot, the only one available on the lot.
As Christmas welcomes the inevitable rush of Boxing Day sales, finding the right method to hunt for that ever-elusive car park has been a skill many veteran drivers have learnt over the years.
But have you ever thought about the different types of parking hunters? Well, if you haven’t, you’re not alone. But according to a new report, these are the types of drivers you’re likely to see this festive period.
A new survey conducted by AAMI Insurance, which polled more than 2000 Australian drivers, found that car park hunters fall into five different categories.
The most popular type of parking hunter is the ‘Traditionalist’ (40 per cent), which is defined as drivers who stick to the same level or section every time, regardless of the time of day.
Meanwhile, 27 per cent of survey participants labelled themselves as a ‘Santa stalker’, with these motorists following a person to their parked car to swoop the parking spot.
A further 24 per cent said they were a ‘Christmas miracle’ when it comes to parking, stating they just somehow find a free spot despite how busy it is.
Interestingly, these three types of drivers are the most prominent in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, with the vast majority of respondents in these states identifying with these car park personas.
Additionally, 6 per cent of respondents claimed they were a ‘Christmas Spendthrift’ type of driver, paying for convenience, such as valet parking or a car wash, while they shop.
Given the festive period is one of the most stressful times of the year for most Aussies, some survey participants admitted to breaking basic rules in their hunt for free space.
According to AAMI Insurance, 4 per cent of respondents said they were a ‘Naughty List Driver’, with these motorists claiming they park in restricted areas for parents and, in some cases, are willing to park their vehicle on a median strip.
AAMI’s Motor Claims general manager, Leah James, said that despite the data, drivers need to remain alert.
“Whatever your car park personality, the simplest way to avoid becoming a Christmas car park statistic is to slow down, be patient and stay focused."
As reported by Drive, the insurer also identified the top shopping centre car parks for car collisions, with Westfield Doncaster in Melbourne’s east taking home the unenviable crown as the country’s top hotspot for car park accidents.
Based on the insurer’s report – which analysed more than 17,000 shopping car park claims between September 1, 2024 and August 31, 2025 – December is the worst month for shopping centre car park collisions, with 1876 claims filed.
Accidental damage while parked was cited as the top cause of car park accidents (40 per cent), followed by collisions with stationary objects such as bollards and trolleys (29 per cent).
James said, “It’s no surprise we see so many fender-benders this time of year”, given it’s the season when most of the population is on break.
“The festive rush turns shopping centres into a battleground – think last-minute gifts, distracted shoppers and a whole lot of circling,” she added.
Ethan Cardinal graduated with a Journalism degree in 2020 from La Trobe University and has been working in the fashion industry as a freelance writer prior to joining Drive in 2023. Ethan greatly enjoys investigating and reporting on the cross sections between automotive, lifestyle and culture. Ethan relishes the opportunity to explore how deep cars are intertwined within different industries and how they could affect both casual readers and car enthusiasts.
