A hot car will always attract attention from opportunist car thieves, but whether you drive a Ferrari or a Ford leaving valuables on display leaves you at higher risk of a break-in and an invalid car insurance claim.
Research from car insurance provider LV= finds that 80 per cent of drivers have left valuables in their cars - carelessness that has lead to one quarter of all UK drivers saying they have been a victim of a car break-in.
According to the report, high value items including clothes, wallets and mobile phones have been left on display in cars parked on UK roads. Men in particular leave high value items inside cars with the average value of goods reaching £380. Young drivers are also lax, with motorists under 34 leaving an average of £334 worth of items inside a vehicle.
This casual attitude can prove costly as many car insurance providers will not offer payouts if the contents of a vehicle are stolen - it must be a specified policy option. Even those insurers that do cover contents in the car may not payout if you have left items on display - deeming this an act of negligence.
So what actions can motorists take to reduce the chances of a break-in?
The first step is to not take any valuables with you - think about what you really need in a car and how essential it is. The items that are necessary should be taken with you when you leave the car and if that isn't possible, perhaps because they are too bulky, then store them out of sight such as in a boot or under a seat.
Take measures to improve the security of your car too. Fitting a car alarm or immobiliser can help you secure cheap car insurance. Most car insurance providers will also reduce premiums if you park your car away from a residential road, and preferably in a garage overnight. |
No comments:
Post a Comment