| It would seem that car crime is on the decrease | | | | stolen per 1000 vehicles registered. Specific classic |
| according to statistics released by the home | | | | car insurance is becoming easier to find and the |
| office. Vehicle crime has dropped 51% since 1997, | | | | good news is many companies are now setting |
| but when you consider the fact that this still | | | | up exclusive policies to cater for them. |
| equates to roughly 1.7 million vehicle thefts last | | | | So just what can you do to secure your car |
| year alone; we still have a long way to go. | | | | whether it is 1 year old, 10 or classic? To start |
| The average person's risk of having their vehicle | | | | with; make sure you secure windows, doors, |
| stolen currently resides at a figure of once in 107 | | | | sunroof and boot when you leave your car. This |
| years. This may mislead you into thinking your | | | | may seem like common sense but it is very easy |
| safe, but having your vehicle stolen just once in a | | | | to forget. You can make your vehicle immediately |
| lifetime can be a nightmare and something you | | | | safer by having an immobiliser professionally |
| should endeavour to avoid. Consider this; the older | | | | installed. Ensure it is Thatcham or Sold Secure |
| your car the easier and more likely it is to be | | | | approved as this will help to decrease your car |
| stolen. In fact cars over 9 year's old account for | | | | insurance premium. If you do not have an |
| two thirds of all vehicles stolen. New cars | | | | immobiliser and cannot afford the expense of |
| between the age of 0-3 years have much more | | | | having one fitted, a cheaper option can be to fit a |
| sophisticated security systems. This shows direct | | | | steering wheel lock to help mechanically immobilise |
| correlation in theft statistics showing this age of | | | | your vehicle. Something we may not always |
| car to account for only 11% of vehicles stolen. | | | | consider in relation to our car is the wheels |
| A shocking 68% of vehicle crimes occur near the | | | | themselves. If your vehicle has very expensive |
| home, 43% on the street outside alone. | | | | alloy wheels, especially relevant in classic cars; fit |
| So you can see this is still a very relevant and | | | | locking bolts where possible to prevent theft. |
| important topic. | | | | They are relatively cheap to purchase and easy |
| The first thing we need to contend with is car | | | | to fit, quickly ensuring your wheels are safe. |
| insurance; the average claim for theft relating to | | | | Moving on to the interior of the car and your |
| possessions or loss of vehicle will increase your | | | | possessions; ensure you don't leave any items in |
| premium at renewal time and can prove to be a | | | | view. If you have a navigation system ensure |
| time consuming process. Anything you can do to | | | | you remove the cradle, especially if in the window |
| prevent items being stolen from your vehicle and | | | | and wipe off any suction cup marks. Mark any |
| the vehicle itself will therefore safe you a lot of | | | | audio equipment to make it easier to trace if |
| time and money. You should check the level of | | | | stolen. Also you can have your registration |
| cover you have for items such as in car | | | | number etched on all windows and even |
| navigation and entertainment systems. You may | | | | headlamps as this could help the police recover |
| find this is an area you need to take extra cover | | | | your car in the event of it being stolen. |
| in; it is worth noting that some insurers can add a | | | | Finally, if you have a spare set of keys ensure |
| bolt-on for areas you are lacking cover in, allowing | | | | you never leave them by the door or near a |
| you to perfectly tailor your insurance. | | | | window in your home. This could make it very |
| If you have a classic car you should take special | | | | easy for a thief to steal your car if they gain |
| precaution and consider having it garaged and | | | | access to your home. Indeed this is fast |
| locked away when not in use. Cars over the age | | | | becoming a popular method amongst car thieves |
| of 12 years are the easiest and most likely to be | | | | due to the advent of better security systems in |
| stolen, accounting for a theft rate of 22 cars | | | | cars. |