Insurance Information
Types
of Cover
Policy Cover Two thirds of private motorists have comprehensive
insurance. Most of the remainder choose third party fire
and theft, with a small proportion taking out more limited
forms of cover. |
|
Third Party This covers:
1:
Liability for injuries to other people, including passengers.
2:
Liability for damage to other people's property.
3:
Liability of passengers for accidents caused by them.
4:
Liability arising from the use of a caravan or trailer, while
attached to the car. Third Party Fire and Theft As previous plus:
5:
Fire or Theft - If your car is not normally kept in a garage at
night, theft cover may be excluded or subject to special conditions.
There may be an "excess" - a part of the cost of the claim for
which you are responsible - following an incident of theft. If
you are selling your car make sure you receive proper payment
before parting with it. Your insurance policy will not cover your
loss if your car is taken from you by deception. Comprehensive
As above and previous plus:
6:
Accidental damage to your own car. There may be an "excess" -
part of the cost of the claim for which you are responsible.
7:
A personal accident benefit. Certain amounts are paid in the event
of the death or specific permanent disablement of the policyholder
- and sometimes his or her spouse or family member.
8:
Medical expenses necessarily incurred, up to a stated limit.
9:
Loss of or damage to personal effects in the car, up to a stated
limit. Source: Association of British Insurers.
Certificates
Read
Your Policy Motor insurers usually issue three documents: The
Certificate of Insurance - this is evidence of insurance as required
by the Road Traffic Act. A Cover Note - acts as a temporary policy
and also as a temporary certificate of insurance for the purposes
of the Road Traffic Act. The Policy Document - sets out in full
the terms and conditions of your policy. You should read your
policy carefully - there is no small print or difficult language
in modern insurance policy booklets.
Premiums
Explained
How
Premiums are Calculated Factors taken into account in costing
your insurance include who will drive, the type of car, where
it is kept, the uses to which it is put, and the type of cover
required. When buying motor insurance you must give the insurer
full information. Drivers The policy may only cover driving by
yourself or specified people, or it may allow driving by any qualified
person with your permission, possibly over a certain age limit.
Your insurers will want to know about anyone who is likely to
drive - particularly their age, experience, driving record and
occupation. Your Car Family cars with moderate repair costs are
cheaper to insure than large or powerful cars which can be expensive
to repair. Each model is given an insurance group rating. This
system is described later in this Information Sheet. Older cars
often attract discounts from comprehensive insurance premiums.
District Insurance claims are more frequent in urban areas so
motorists in cities usually pay more for their insurance than
those who live in the country. The place where the car is kept
is a rating factor, so tell your insurers if the car is not kept
at your home address. Use Your policy and certificate set out
the uses for which your car is insured. For example, if you or
any authorised driver want to use your car in connection with
work, make sure that your policy covers this. No Claims Discount
Policyholders with a claim free (not blame free) record normally
qualify for a premium discount. Scales do vary but usually range
from 30% for one claim free year up to 60% or more after four
or five years. "Protected Discount" policies are often available
for motorists with maximum discount. For an extra premium, a number
of claims are allowed without affecting the discount. Typically
two claims are allowed in a three to five year period.
Insurance
Groups Explained
Click
here to find out what insurance rating a car is
The
Group Rating System
Insurance
companies put car models into twenty groups. This means that each
model of car can be accurately banded with cars of similar characteristics.
There can be a significant spread of groups within a particular
model range.
How
the System Works
Nearly
three quarters of all money paid out in motor insurance claims
goes on repairing cars. The cost of spare parts and the times
taken by repairers are therefore major factors in pricing motor
insurance. The factors used to calculate group ratings are:
Damage
and Parts Costs
The
likely extent of damage to each car model and the cost of the
parts involved in its repair. The lower these costs, the more
likelihood there is of a lower group rating.
Repair
Times
Longer
repair times mean higher costs and the greater likelihood of a
higher group rating. Different paint finishes on modern cars are
an important factor. These, too, are taken into account.
New
Car Values
The
prices of new cars identify the higher specification models within
a model range.
Body
Shells
The
availability of body shells (the basic frame of the car) is taken
into account in group ratings because they are essential for certain
accidental damage repairs.
Performance
Acceleration
and top speed are important factors. Insurance companies know
very well, from their claims statistics, that high performance
cars often result in more frequent insurance claims.
Car
Security
Security
features fitted as standard equipment by motor manufacturers can
help to reduce insurance claims costs. Such features include high
security door locks, alarm/immobilisation systems, glass etching,
coded audio equipment, locking devices for alloy wheels and visible
VIN numbers.
Recommended
Group Ratings
The
group ratings determined by the Association of British Insurers
are recommendations only. Individual insurance companies, depending
on their own experience, may vary from these recommendations.
Buying
a Car
Motorists
planning to buy a new car should check, in motoring magazines,
the insurance group rating of the exact model they have in mind.
The higher the group number the more will be the premium. Source:
Association of British Insurers
Insurance
Guide
If your car is stolen
If Your Car is Stolen
Tell the police immediately then tell your insurer and ask for
a claim form.
Be prepared to wait a while in case your car is recovered. A great
many cars taken without the owner's consent are soon found abandoned.
If property is stolen from your car tell the police immediately
and then tell your insurer.
Most comprehensive policies protect you against loss of or damage
to rugs, clothing and personal belongings which are in your car.
Policies set a limit on the value of such property. Check your
own policy for details. See back page for advice on beating the
car thief.
making
a claim
What
to do When Making a Claim After the accident get as much on the
spot information as possible. Get hold of the names and addresses
of independent witnesses before they lose interest and leave the
scene. If you have a video or camera in the car, get pictures
before vehicles and property are moved. Also, make a sketch plan
of the accident while the details are fresh in your mind. Ask
the other drivers involved for their names and addresses and make
a note of their car registration numbers together with the make
and model. Ask for the name of their insurers and also, if possible,
their policy number or certificate number. If anyone is injured,
produce your certificate of insurance. If you cannot do this at
the scene you must produce it at a police station within 24 hours.
There may be injury to people or animals or damage to vehicles
or property. If so, you are required to give your name and address,
the name and address of the owner of the car you are driving and
its registration number to anyone with reasonable grounds for
wanting them. Tell your insurers about any statement made at the
scene by any of the parties. Do not discuss whose fault it was.
If you do, you could create problems for you and your insurers
in the handling of your claim. You must tell your insurers as
soon as possible - even if you don't intend to make a claim. This
is a condition of your policy. Ask your insurers for an accident
report form. When completing the form include as much information
as you can.
Driving
Other Cars
Most
policies cover the policyholder in person while driving a car
which belongs to someone else. However, cover will be limited
to third party only, even if you have a comprehensive policy.
Accidental damage to the borrowed car will not be covered by your
insurance. Make sure you have the car owner's permission to drive
it and that they have arranged comprehensive insurance to cover
you as a driver under their policy. If they have done this, then
accidental damage claims to their car, while you are driving,
will be met by their policy. Similarly, before letting someone
else drive your car make sure your policy does not have a restriction
on who may drive it.
No Claims Discount
No Claims Discount The discount is usually reduced by two steps
after a claim. Whenever a claim is made under a motor policy,
the discount will always be affected unless your insurance company
can recover its costs from another party. If your insurer can
make a full recovery or is only stopped from doing so by a knock-for-knock
agreement, your no claim discount may not be affected. Similarly,
if you recover all your uninsured losses (such as accidental damage
excess) then your discount may not be affected. Sometimes your
no claim discount will be reduced at policy renewal time if a
claim is expected to come in, or is still waiting to be settled.
The discount may be reinstated if your insurer subsequently doesn't
have to pay out under the policy. Source: Association of British
Insurers
Age Matters
The
young drivers car insurance directory
aims to highlight companies or brands who offer young drivers
car insurance. Included within each listing are details of product
features and benefits currently being offered*.
Alternatively,
read our insurance information guide below for young drivers,
or car guide pages, and find out all you need to know before getting
a competitive quote.
Young Drivers Car Insurance Guide
As
a young driver there are two options available to you that will
enable you to drive your car on the roads fully insured. Most
young drivers who have just passed their test and are lucky enough
to be allowed to drive their parent’s car are likely to have been
added as a named driver under the parent’s car insurance policy.
An added bonus could be that your parents will pay the additional
cost for you! The second option which is more applicable for young
drivers who have recently purchased their own car, is to take
out insurance cover themselves under their own name.
Unfortunately,
the cost of insuring your own car under your own name means you
will probably pay a higher premium in the initial period of having
your own insurance policy. This is because as a young driver new
to the roads you are less experienced at driving and decision
making. It is a process all drivers have to go through, but the
good news is that within one year you earn your first year’s no
claims bonus. That means you may get a cheaper young drivers insurance
premium for your second year. The more years no claims you build,
the possibility of cheaper premiums!
In
addition, you may have a friend who is on his parent’s policy
as a named driver and paying less than you, but eventually he
will have to get his own policy and face the higher costs you
are facing now.
Why
are car insurance premiums higher for young drivers?
You may feel discriminated against but in fairness to the companies
they are not deliberately trying to rip you off. Car insurance
companies have to pay the claims and young drivers are responsible
for the majority of claims, hence the higher insurance premiums.
Statistics show that young drivers have more accidents and they
also suffer more from incidents of theft, fire and vandalism.
You cannot control your age or your driving record so remember
that the single most important factor that you can control is
the car you want to insure. A fast car and young driver equals
a high insurance premium
Information
for young drivers who have just passed their driving test
Read our guide on the Pass Plus scheme and find out how to qualify
for additional discounts on your car insurance
Car
Repairers Guide
If
you are unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident the first
thing to do is report the accident to your car insurance company
and especially the police if injuries have been suffered. If another
party was involved ensure you collect their contact and car insurance
company details, so that your insurer can contact them to organise
the claim.
If
your car has been damaged as a result of an accident you will
need to send it to a garage for repair. Depending on the company
and the car insurance policy cover you took out, your insurer
will send your car to a repairer approved by the insurer. Large
insurance companies tend to build large networks of approved car
repairers across the country so that their customers do not have
to travel far to get their vehicle fixed.
An
approved repairer will provide the quickest way to get your car
back on the road after an accident. Insurance companies also negotiate
contracts with approved car repairers to ensure their customers
receive the highest quality of service at low prices.
If
you don't want to use an insurer approved car repairer, you can
use your own garage. If you decide to use your own garage be prepared
to provide repair estimates. Insurance companies will inspect
the car themselves before the repairs are authorised or not, dependent
on the price. If you use your own garage you should expect the
repair to take longer than if you were to use an approved car
repairer, who can normally start the work straight away.
If
you decide to use a garage not approved by your insurer it is
vital that you contact your insurance company for advice. If you
are supplied with a replacement hire car you may not automatically
be covered under your policy.
Car
Repairers
The
Office of Fair Trading (OFT), the UK's competition watchdog, recently
announced it was to launch an investigation into the car repair
industry in an attempt to stamp out rogue traders and poor workmanship.
The investigation comes after a rise in the number of complaints
from disgruntled customers who feel they have had to pay too much
to have their cars repaired.
£8.9billion
a year is spent on servicing cars each year and a staggering 27,381
complaints about the standards and cost of car repairs have been
received in the last 12 months.
The
Office
of Fair Trading is also worried that a lot of the insurance
work done on vehicles is not needed and owners are overpaying
for routine car repairs.
Tips
for consumers who should consider the following:
1. Go to a recommended garage.
2. Read car manual for the standard safety check list.
3. Give a clear description of the work to be carried out.
4. Ask for a quote in writing before agreeing to the work.
5. Ask to be consulted before any additional repair work not originally
agreed is carried out.
6. Ask for a detailed invoice.
7. Ask for a timescale for the work to be completed.
8. Ask how the garage will want to be paid and when they will
expect payment.
9. Leave your contact details.
Also,
consider garages who belong to the Retail
Motor Industry Federation. One of the aims of the organisation
is to raise standards throughout the industry through quality
control procedures and training.
Information Change
You must tell your insurer of any changes in
the details given on your proposal form such as address, occupation,
type of car and motoring convictions including fixed penalties.
Remember - not only is it an offence under the Road Traffic Act
to make a false statement or withhold information for the purposes
of obtaining a certificate of motor insurance, but it may also
invalidate your policy.
Insuring your performance car
As
a young driver you're are always looking for ways to help reduce
your performance car insurance premium.
This article will discuss a few ways for you to lower your performance
car insurance.
Choice
of Car - The choice of car can make a dramatic difference
on the cost of your car insurance premium. You
should make sure that the car you choose is suitable. The higher
the power and spec of a car the higher the car insurance
will be, therefore make sure the car will suit your needs, don't
let your heart rule your head. High performance cars
can often be unsuitable for certain drivers due to increased running
costs and the higher car insurance premium.
Type
of Car Insurance - The two most popular types of car
insurance in this country are third party fire
and theft (TPFT) car insurance and fully
comprehensive car insurance.
TPFT
car insurance covers the insured for loss of
the vehicle by theft or fire and damage to a third parties property
when involved in an accident. Fully comprehensive car
insurance covers the insured for everything that TPFT
does with the addition of the insured car in the event of an accident.
The
type of cover you decide to take out can change your car
insurance premium dramatically. You can Reduce your performance
car insurance by taking out a TPFT policy as these are
generally less expensive due to the fact that the insured car
is not covered in the event of an accident. Be sure that you have
taken this fact into account when insuring your car, because for
the saving you may make when opting for TPFT cover, and not fully
comprehensive insurance could backfire if you are involved
in an accident.
Excess
- The amount of excess on your policy has an effect on the cost
of your performance car insruance premium so
varying it can reduce your car insurance costs.
Excess is the amount of money that the insured will have to pay
out before their insurance policy will cover the rest. When taking
out a policy this excess is usually set, but by increasing it
voluntarily you can reduce you car insurnace.
You should remember that the more you increase this excess the
cheaper your policy will become, but the more money you will lose
in the event of a claim.
Additional
Drivers - Adding drivers to your policy will usually
raise the cost of your car insurance depending
on the driver. In order to keep your car insurance premium
down reduce the amount of additional drivers on the policy to
only those who will need to frequently use the car.
Security
- Fitting approved immobilisers and alarms
to performance cars is also a good way to bring
down the car insurance costs. By reducing the
risk of theft to your vehicle by fitting these approved
security devices your insurance company
will often reduce the cost of your premium.
With
a combination of all the factors above you can greatly reduce
the cost of your sports car insurance, but the
cheapest way to keep your insurance premiums
down is to be a conscientious driver and make sure you keep a
clean driving licence
Insuring your imported car
Have
you ever looked in the car classified ads for that dream Japanese
super car and been devastated when you realise that the prices
are well above your reach? In which case this article is just
for you.
The
performance of some of the Japanese big boys such as Nissan and
Mitsubishi has made them icons for a large majority of UK motorists.
With dream cars such as the Nissan Skyline (see dream
cars Nissan Skyline) and the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (see
dream
cars Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution) who could blame you for
wanting to own an icon. The fact is that some of these cars can
cost the earth and mixed with costly performance car insurance
premiums have long been out of the reach for the majority of us.
However
things are beginning to look a little better for the Japanese
manufacturer seeking motorist due to the change in car trends
across Japan. Although still in production a lot of the Japanese
sports cars are being exported to other countries. This has come
about with the increased demand for small more economical cars
in Japan in order to reduce the costs associated with running
a car and the economically friendly push of the Japanese government.
Not only is this good news for the new Japanese car buyer but
it means that we are seeing an influx of the amount of second
hand cars on the market in Japan.
With
this influx of second hand performance cars comes a sharp decrease
in the price. This has resulted in thousands of Subaru
WRX, Nissan Skylines and Mitsubishi
Lancer Evolution’s coming onto the market in Japanese
auction houses for prices as low as £500. So what are the pro’s
and con’s of importing a Japanese motoring legend?
Positives
Cost
- These machines could save you huge amounts of money even up
to 60% on prices that you may be paying on the UK second hand
car market.
Selection
– These cars are all the rage in Japan and therefore there is
a huge selection on offer from all of the major Japanese manufacturers.
Condition
– The Japanese look after their cars and have stringent road worthy
laws which means that the cars are usually in good condition.
It is not uncommon to find low mileage examples with minimal to
no rust for very low prices.
Modifications
– Due to the huge modification market in Japan a lot of the cars
already come with expensive modifications saving you hundreds.
Negatives
UK
registration – the UK registration process can be a lengthy
and tricky one with some costs involved.
Shipping
– The cost of shipping can increase the cost of your bargain purchase
by as much as 100%
Car insurance – Some car insurance
companies will charge you an extra large premium for an imported
car so be sure to get some performance car insurance
quotes before you leave.
Plane
ticket – Finally the cost of a plane ticket to Japan
could set you back as much as £1000 so be sure to budget this
into your cost saving equation.
With
all this in mind even with the extra hidden costs associated with
travelling to Japan and sourcing your own Japanese import you
are still getting a good deal for the money you will pay. However
if you are a bit sceptical about overcoming the language barrier
and travelling all the way to Japan there are companies in the
UK that will do all the hard work for you for a small fee.
The cost of speeding
On
today's roads cars are becoming more and more powerful and available
to a wider range of the motoring public. This article will look
at some of the most common costs of speeding
to the motorist when exceeding speed limits.
Cost
of Speeding to the Motorist
When
driving on the roads we all like to consider ourselves as conscientious
safe drivers. In reality if we were all truthful most of us would
admit to breaking the speed limits at one time or another. When
we exceed the speed limits set down by law we run the risk of
being punished for doing so. The most common way in which speeding
in your performance cars can cost is being caught
by a speeding camera or a police officer. Depending on the speed
at which you are traveling you can expect a fine which can be
very costly to the young driver.
The
second cost of speeding when caught by a speed
camera or police officer is the fact that a record of this offense
is put on your licence in the form of penalty points.
Again the amount of points that are issued depends on the offense
but generally you can expect three penalty points
for slightly exceeding the stated speed limit.
Everyone
knows that car insurance premiums can be very
costly, especially for performance cars. This
becomes of a greater concern when a driver has penalty
points on their licence as their performance
car insurance can increase. Due to the fact that a driver
has been caught speeding means that a car insurance company
believes this driver to be a higher risk and therefore can increase
their car insurance premium. A general rule is
that the more penalty points on a drivers licence
the higher their insurance premium can be.
Accumulation
of points on your licence can also be a dangerous affair as if
you exceed a certain number of these penalty points
you can receive an automatic ban. The number of points for people
who have been driving for over two years is up to 12 penalty
points in the space of three years which result in an
automatic ban. This is more serious for divers who have passed
their test less than two years ago as you only have to accumulate
6 penalty points to have your licence revoked
and be forced to retake your driving test.
The
major cost of speeding however is the fact that
when exceeding the speed limit you are significantly more likely
to be involved in an accident. If you are judged to be at fault
for the accident due to the fact that your were speeding not only
could you lose your well earned no claims bonus
(NCB) but you could have between 3 and 11 penalty points
added to your licence for dangerous driving.
The loss of your NCB could mean that your following
years performance car insurance could rocket.
Finally
the biggest cost of speeding on today's roads
to the motorist is the fact that whilst speeding, as previously
stated, you are more likely to be involved in an accident. This
accident may not only result in damage to your car but you face
a higher risk of injury and the highest cost of all death.
Speed
Cameras - They're No Dummies
Information
gained by one of the leading broadsheet newspapers has been released
this week with some startling results. The news paper has discovered
through the freedom of information act that the amount of live
speed cameras in the UK is on the increase.
A
live camera is a camera that actually has film to record the misdemeanour,
for every live camera there are a number of dummy cameras designed
to make the public slow down and become aware of their speed.
In
past years if you were unlucky enough to be snapped you had a
chance of avoiding a fine and the penalty points
due to the fact that only 1 in 8 cameras were live. These new
statistics have shown that the number of live cameras in the UK
has risen to make the average ratio of live to dummy cameras 1
in 5.
The
new of the increase comes as a shock to the motoring community
which see the increase as just another means by the government
of increasing revenue. If you are caught speeding in the UK by
a camera you can expect to receive a fixed fine
and penalty points added to your licence.
Leading
motoring organisations believe that the number of live cameras
on the roads will increase significantly further in future years.
This is due to technological advances that have seen the use of
digital cameras that need no film becoming increasingly popular
with traffic control organisations. This will lead to more motorists
in the UK being issued with penalty points which
will lead to a general increase in performance car insurance
prices across the country.
The
problem is that the amount of fines and penalty points
issued to drivers each year is on the increase and so is the government’s
revenue. The ongoing argument is that the government seems to
be spending more money on cameras each year and less on the physical
policing of our roads. Surely the money would be better spent
on police officers that can target all aspects of road crime such
as drink driving and not only speeding. This could make our roads
a safer place, the problem is that the government would see a
sharp drop in revenue from cameras and it seems at this time they
are not willing to suffer that loss.
Something
has to give, cameras or the quality of policing on the roads.
Unfortunately at the moment the cameras and the revenue they produce
seem to be winning the battle. However if the UK’s motoring community
would just slow down a little maybe we could reduce the amount
of fines and penalty points handed out each year
that raises our car insurance. This would help
all motorists in the long run and maybe by starving the government
of this revenue we could affect the shift from cameras back to
physical policing of the UK roads.
Personal
Injury
If
you were the innocent victim of a road accident – either as a
driver, passenger, cyclist or pedestrian – you are almost certainly
entitled to compensation. In most cases, the compensation is paid
by the other person’s insurance company but it is often possible
to claim even where there was no insurance and in ‘hit and run’
accidents. Our legal team will be happy to provide more details
about this.
The
Police and Road Traffic Accidents
What
should I do if I am involved in an accident? If you are the driver
you MUST STOP and give the vehicle's registration number, your
name and address, and that of the owner; to anyone who needs it.
In addition, you should : Ensure the safety of yourself and others.
If necessary, warn other traffic without putting yourself in danger.
Ensure the police, fire and ambulance services are called to attend
the scene if they are required. If you or anyone else present
feels able to assist, treat any injured person or animal. Obtain
the details of any witnesses. Note and record the positions of
the vehicles. What is the role of the police at a road traffic
accident? To ensure the scene is safe and prevent further accidents.
To co-ordinate the work of the emergency services. To investigate
the cause of the accident and take appropriate action. In appropriate
cases, record the details of the accident. Restore the flow of
traffic. What details of the accident will the police need? Some
constabularies will only record details and carry out initial
investigations in the following circumstances: Where a person
is injured or killed. Where one or more drivers have failed to
stop. Where they consider there is sufficient evidence to support
a prosecution of one or more parties. Where a driver has obviously
lost control. If damage is caused to any road sign or crash barrier.
Where a vehicle defect has significantly contributed to the accident.
In all other circumstances the police will take no further action.
What insurance details will the police require? The policy number
and the address of drivers Insurance Company is all that is generally
required. These details are contained on every insurance certificate.
As a driver you must give your insurance details to anyone who
has been injured or to anyone who wishes to make a claim against
you, even though you may feel you are not to blame for the accident.
Likewise, you may ask for another person's insurance if you have
been injured or you wish to make a claim against them. Failure
to provide insurance details in these circumstances may constitute
an offence, which should be reported to the police. The police
will only record insurance details where a person has been injured
or killed in a road accident. Your insurance company should be
informed of any accident you are involved in and will offer you
assistance and advice. If my vehicle is damaged in an accident,
who is responsible for moving it? If you are a member of a motoring
organisation they will arrange removal. Alternatively a garage
nominated by you or a garage contacted via the police will remove
the vehicle. The cost of removal is the responsibility of the
owner and/or driver. Will any driver be prosecuted? The police
do not apportion blame nor investigate accidents on behalf of
insurance companies. The police will only investigate further
those accidents involving fatalities or serious injuries and those
which involve an element of aggressive behavior, impatient driving,
or the misuse of speed. Any incident where a prosecution is decided
upon will be forwarded to the Crown Prosecution Service who will
consider whether there is sufficient evidence to prosecute and
whether or not it is in the public interest to do so. Some constabularies
operate a Driver Improvement Scheme whereby any driver who has
driven carelessly, contributing to or causing an accident may
be offered a one-and-a-half days' driving course of refresher
training instead of prosecution. This initiative does not affect
an insurance claim, but will clearly address a probable cause
of the accident. Rather than punishing the offender it ultimately
reduces the likelihood of a careless driver being involved in
a similar accident. What will the police do after the accident?
If the accident is recorded, the police will always tell you of
the result and if they propose to take any further action. Depending
on the circumstances, the result may not be known for several
months. If you need to enquire about any relevant matter relating
to the accident, telephone the nearest station, leaving at least
five working days after the date of the accident.
Safety Advice
Securing your motor car
Don't
leave papers lying around - especially private mail with your
address on it and documents like vehicle registration. And take
your house keys, cash, cards or chequebook with you.
Have your car's registration number etched onto all glass surfaces
- including the headlights. Or have the last 7 digits of the Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) - unique to your car - linked with
a recognised, secure database, etched in this way. Most manufacturers
are now bonding VIN plates to the dashboard in plain view - check
it out if you're buying a new car.
Get
an approved dealer or installer to fit an alarm - you can find
one through the Vehicle
Systems Installation Board. If you're buying a new car, check
if it's got an alarm as standard.
Get
a stereo you can remove and take with you. Mark it with your registration
number or postcode. Make a note of the serial number. Some manufacturers
are fitting stereo equipment with different parts spread around
the car - check it out when you're buying.
Lock
all the doors when you leave your car and even while you're driving.
Keep the windows rolled up too, especially when you're making
slow progress in traffic. It only takes a few seconds at a stoplight
for a thief to reach in and take whatever you've left on a seat.
Get
a lockable petrol cap. Some new cars have these as standard -
check it out if you're buying.
Locking wheel nuts - cheap and easy to buy and fit, difficult
to get off without the key. If you're buying, look out for new
cars that have these as standard.
If you've got a garage, use it and lock it. If you haven't or
you're away from home, park where there's plenty of light and
life. Or park where you see a sign for a car pack that is a member
of the Safer Parking scheme and displays the Park Mark placque.
These are designed and managed to keep your car safe.
If you're buying a very special car, it may already have a tracking
device or your insurance company may want you to fit one - it's
worth finding out.
Don't leave anything on show in your car. Even an old coat can
be too much to resist. Most car criminals 'smash and grab' first
and think about how much it's worth later.
An
electronic immobiliser means your car won't start unless you want
it to. Get an approved dealer or installer to fit it - you can
find one through the Vehicle Systems Installation Board.
When
you leave your car, always take the ignition key with you. Don't
pop back into the house, leaving the engine running on a cold
winter's morning. At home, never leave your car keys, or house
keys, near a door or window. Some thieves use a fishing rod or
magnet on a stick to steal them through the letterbox.
Always
make sure you outsmart the car criminal
Securing your caravan
Immobilise
your caravan, even if you're stopping only for a short time. Use
good quality padlocks, heavy-duty chains and hitch locks to secure
your caravan. Fix lock nuts or wheel clamps to the wheels and
padlock gas cylinders to fixing clamps.
Fit an alarm and switch it on every time you leave your caravan
- even if it's just for a short time.
Lock windows, doors, rooflights and the gas compartment when you
leave the caravan, for any length of time. Always keep the keys
with you.
Take all your valuables with you when you leave the caravan. If
you can't, lock them away. Never leave anything on display - even
an old coat can tempt a thief to have a closer look.
Never leave the vehicle registration documents in the caravan.
They can help a thief to sell the caravan on.
If your caravan does not already have a Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) etched onto the windows you should use an ultraviolet
pen to mark it inside with an identifiable number. Security mark
all the valuables you usually take on holiday with you too.
If you're buying a new caravan, ask about built-in security features.
All caravans manufactured since August 1997 should be electronically
tagged for added security. Check it out.
If you're buying a second-hand caravan, try to verify the seller's
identity and make sure the number plate on the caravan matches
the one on the tow car. Also ask if it's registered with the Caravan
Registration and Identification Scheme (CRiS) - if it is, you
can check its history through this scheme. If it isn't, call 01722
411 430 and get it registered. If you purchase the caravan call
CRiS to register the details.
Get to know your neighbours on the site when you're on holiday
and think about joining a vehicle watch scheme at home.
10. You could fit a tracking device so that your caravan can be
tracked by the police or a system operator if it is stolen.
Safe parking guide
If
you have a garage, use it. Always lock both your car and your
garage. If you don't have a garage, always try to park in a well-lit,
open place.
Try and park your car in an attended car park. Look for a public
car park that is part of the police-approved Safer Parking scheme
that displays the Park Mark Safer Parking award plaque. For more,
see http://www.saferparking.com/
If
you can't find a car park, try to avoid parking in places that
are hidden from public view.
Never
leave anything on display when you park your car. Even an old
coat or a plastic bag can tempt a thief.
How
to beat the thief
The
financial loss of a stolen car is bad enough and although insurance
will compensate for this, nothing can help with the shock and
inconvenience.
Walk around any car park. You'll see cars with windows open, ignition
keys in the lock, sun roofs open, valuable property and clothing
on display on the rear seat.
Be sensible. Follow the checklist below every time you leave your
car.
Take Care of Your Property
Remember - if you are careless when leaving your car then your
claim for theft may not be paid at all. Your insurance policy
requires you to take care of your property at all times. Have
all the windows etched with the registration number of your car.
This deters car thieves.
Many insurers allow a special premium discount if your car has
a professionally-fitted alarm/ immobiliser system. The Motor Insurance
Repair Research Centre checks on vehicle security devices to see
if they comply with the criteria of the Insurance Industry Vehicle
Security Scheme. The list of those products that have passed is
used by insurers as a basis for premium discounts and required
security. Ask your insurer what systems they approve or require.
They may also require the system to be fitted by a member of the
independent Vehicle Security Installation Board. Your insurer
can advise you about this.
Check List
Where to leave your car
At night, park in a well-lit place. Thieves like working in shadows.
In a ticket-exit car park, take the ticket with you. Remove Car
Ownership Information
Don't leave your certificate of insurance and registration document
in the car.
Hide Property
Leave property in a locked boot. In a hatchback the rear shelf
should be in position. In an estate car cover up property with
a sheet or blanket.
Remove the Ignition Key
Don't leave the key in the ignition - not even for just a few
seconds to go into your home, a shop or pay for petrol.
Close All Windows
When you leave the car, close windows. Don't forget the sun roof.
Use an Anti-Theft Device
Thieves are opportunists. They will probably move on to a car
without a device fitted.
Always Lock Doors and Boot/Tailgate
Even when the car is in your own drive or garage, lock it and
take the keys with you.
Children and Animals
Never leave young children or animals alone in a parked car. With
windows or sun roof open you run the risk of theft. With windows
closed there is a grave danger of suffocation.
Source: Association of British Insurers
Top Ten safety tips
Never
leave anything on display when you park your car. Even an old
coat or a plastic bag can tempt a thief.
Electronic
engine immobilisers prevent your car from starting and are the
best way to stop thieves. They should be professionally fitted
by an approved installer.
When
parking at home always use your garage if you have one. Always
lock both your car and your garage. If you don't have a garage,
always try to park in a well-lit, open place.
When
parking outside always try and park your car in an attended car
park. Try to look for a public carpark which is part of the police-approved
Safer
Parking scheme - www.saferparking.com
Use
a steering wheel lock every time you leave your car.
Car alarms can deter thieves from not only stealing your car,
but also taking items from it. They need to be fitted by a professional.
These
are cheap, easy to fit and stop thieves from taking your wheels.
Have
your car registration number or the last 7 digits of your Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) etched onto all windows, both windscreens
and your headlamps.
Mark all your car equipment, like your car stereo, with your vehicle
registration number.
Get
a commercial database such as HPI
Group Ltd, or CCN Motorfile to check out the car you've got
your eye on - has it been reported stolen or written off by an
insurance company?
Approval
You should only buy security devices or services that are approved
by either Thatcham (the Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre
0870 550 2006,) or by Sold
Secure (01327 264 687). - or that meet the standards referred
to in the particular sections above. Fitted devices should be
installed by a professional - either your car dealer or by an
installer approved by the Vehicle Systems Installation Board.
Check out Vehicle
Systems Installation Board or visit The
Retail Motor Industry Federation to find your nearest approved
garage or dealership.
Security Products
The
best ways to secure your motor are:
Immobilisers prevent your car from starting and are the best way
to stop thieves.
Remember
to use them every time you leave your car. You should only buy
one that is approved by Thatcham or by Sold Secure.
Car
alarms need to be fitted by a professional - either ask your car
dealer or an installer approved by the Vehicle Systems Installation
Board - http://www.vsib.co.uk/.
Locking wheel nuts are cheap, easy to fit and stop thieves from
taking your wheels. Look for products that are approved by Thatcham
(the Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre 0870 550 2006, http://www.thatcham.org/)
or by Sold Secure (01327 264 687 - http://www.soldsecure.com/).
Have
your car registration number or the last 7 digits of your Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) etched onto all windows, both windscreens
and your headlamps.
Mark all your car equipment, like your car stereo, with your vehicle
registration number.
If your car is expensive or has sentimental value, you could buy
an in-car tracking device. A stolen vehicle recovery scheme.
Approved
You should only buy security devices or services that are approved
by either Thatcham
(the Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre) or by Sold
Secure - or that meet the standards referred to in the particular
sections above. Fitted devices should be installed by a professional
- either your car dealer or by an installer approved by the Vehicle
Systems Installation Board. Check out http://www.vsib.co.uk/
or visit http://www.rmif.co.uk/
to find your nearest approved garage or dealership.
Complaints
If you have a complaint about a service or product you can contact
any of the trade associations below:
Vehicle
Systems Installation Board
Bates Business Centre
Church Road
Harold Wood
Romford
Essex
RM3 0JF
Tel: 01708 340911
Website: http://www.vsib.co.uk/ |
Society
of Motor Manufacturers and Traders
Forbes House
1 Halkin Street
London
SW1X 7DS
Tel: 020 7235 7000
Website: http://www.smmt.co.uk/ |
Retail
Motor Industry Federation
210 Great Portland Street
London
W1W 5AB
Tel: 020 7580 9122
Website: http://www.rmif.co.uk/ |
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