One in Eight Drivers Say They Are Victims of Car Crime

The latest data from the Green Insurer for you;

Car crime is hitting Britain hard, with one in eight (12%) motorists saying they have fallen victim to car crime in the past three years, according to new research1 from The Green Insurer, which is focused on helping drivers reduce carbon emissions and drive in a more environmentally friendly way, shows.

Of those drivers affected by car crime, the most common incident cited was someone hitting their car and not leaving details – 30% said that had happened to them. Around a fifth (21%) had suffered break-ins and malicious damage, such as keying of the paintwork, while 14% said their car had been stolen from their home.

The study reveals that the financial impact of car crime is significant, resulting in on average £2,300 worth of damage or loss per incident. Despite the high cost of vehicle crime to motorists’ pockets more than a third (36%) of respondents say that they didn’t recover any costs for the damage from their car insurance provider – this may reflect concerns drivers have about making claims for criminal damage on their insurance for fear that it will result in them seeing a hike in their renewal premiums.

A significant number (15%) believe that car crime has risen sharply in their area over the past three years. In London, concerns are heightened, with one in three (33%) saying they believe car crime has surged in this time period. A further 26% of Brits believe car crime has increased slightly, while a half of respondents believe that car crime levels are unchanged. Just 10% think car crime in their area has decreased.

Over the past decade, 3% of motorists interviewed say they have had a car stolen. Amongst those affected, almost a half (47%) say they replaced their stolen car with the same make and model. More than a third (37%) opted for a cheaper vehicle, hoping it would be less attractive to vehicle thieves, while 11% invested in a more expensive car in the hope that it would have improved security features that would prevent its theft.

Paul Baxter, CEO, The Green Insurer, said: “The rise in car crime is a serious concern, not just for victims but also for other residents in the community. The financial burden can be significant, with many victims struggling to recover their full loss from such incidents. At The Green Insurer we are committed to helping our customers recover from these incidents while also urging drivers to assess their risks and, where appropriate, take proactive security measures including parking in well-lit areas and using steering wheel locks.”