Park Properly How you park also matters. Make sure you're within the lines and have space to open your doors. Avoid parking in tight spaces or next to other cars that have parked poorly. Make sure there is enough space for you to easily pull in or out.

While you can't control other drivers, you can use defensive parking techniques to minimize the risk. First, always park in the middle of a row rather than at the end, as cars turning into the aisle often "clip" the corner vehicles. Second, try to park next to four-door sedans rather than two-door coupes; coupe doors are much longer and require a wider swing to exit, making door dings more likely. Third, back into your spot; this gives you better visibility when exiting and ensures you are perfectly centered between the lines. In 2026, many owners also install dash cams with "Parking Mode" that record impacts, serving as a deterrent. Finally, "luxury parking"—parking far away from the entrance in an empty area—is the most effective method, as most lazy drivers will cluster near the doors, leaving the back of the lot as a "low-traffic" safety zone for your vehicle's paint and bumpers.