- 02
- Jul
Consumers in the capital have been urged to be on their guard after London topped the list of the most common locations for car theft.
Published by Swiftcover using data taken from their claims database, the report identifies the midlands as the second most likely region in which consumers may have their vehicle targeted by thieves. Figures from the group included both claims made for the theft of a vehicle and for items stolen from the car such as stereos or satellite navigation systems. The north-west, Yorkshire and the southern counties rounded out the list of the top five vehicle theft hotspots.
The insurance provider also warned owners of Ford Fiesta that they may be at particular risk of theft, with this model identified as being involved in the highest number of claims. Volkswagen Golfs, Vauxhall Astras and Corsas, as well Nissan Micras, were also all seen to attract a high number of thieves. For those who have been unfortunate enough to have their vehicle stolen in recent months, applying for a car loan may prove an effective way to get back on the road quickly. In taking out this type of loan, people may also be afforded the financial flexibility to make sure they have enough money to purchase additional security measures such as steering wheel locks and alarms to act as a deterrent to potential thieves.
The most common form of claim made by Swiftcover customers arose from instances when their vehicle had been stolen and had not been recovered, with this situation necessitating 48.7 per cent of claims. Meanwhile, nearly a quarter (24.5 per cent) of people contacted their insurer after their vehicle had been stolen and recovered in a damaged condition. For a further 12 per cent, a claim was made after an attempted vehicle theft, while six per cent of people contacted their provider to cover the cost of replacing keys after they had been stolen. Theft of personal effects accounted for 5.4 per cent of claims.
Commenting on the statistics, Robin Reames, claims director of Swiftcover, said: “Whether you live in a busy town, leafy suburbs or sleepy village, always keep your car secure even for just a few minutes. It’s amazing how many people leave their keys in the ignition while defrosting the car, or pop into the post office leaving their car windows open. It’s just an open invitation to opportunistic thieves.”
One of the principal recommendations made by the firm in an effort to reduce the likelihood of a car being stolen was to invest in immobilisers, alarms and trackers which would discourage thieves from targeting their vehicle. For those looking for an effective way to fund such purchases, taking out a personal loan might be useful. Doing so may also provide the necessary capital to buy in-car extras like satellite navigation systems and CD players, although Swiftcover reminded consumers of the need to remove such items from a vehicle if it was going to be left unattended.
The firm also iterated the need to make sure cars were secure in a bid to lower car insurance premiums, while failing to shop online for a policy was said to be costing Britons as much as 1.9 billion pounds.
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