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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Insurance
Groups Explained
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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
Click
here to visit the Car
Repairers Directory
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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