Over the past five years, nearly a third of all company car accident claims Zurich has received were caused by parking accidents, revealed research by the company.
It said on average 17% of parking accident claims resulted from the insured driver hitting a parked or stationary vehicle, followed by 10% of parking accident claims resulting from the insured driver's car being hit by a third party.
Zurich said driving was now officially the most dangerous activity in the workplace. It estimated that in 2002, 30% of all road fatalities and serious injuries involved somebody who was at work.
There is a dangerous lack of awareness among employers and the self-employed in the UK about the importance of driver safety, said Zurich.
David W Smith, head of market management for Zurich's UK commercial business said: "The fact that we have seen little change in the percentage of accidents caused by parking and rear end shunts over the past five years shows that little progress has been made in reducing accidents in this area."
"Something we have to change if we are to help companies contain claims and therefore control premiums."
Zurich's recently Drive & Survive to create a Road Awareness Programme available exclusively to Zurich fleet policyholders.
