Car insurance - Tips & Advice - Car Security

Features: Secure Thinking

While recent Government figures show that car crime is falling, taking responsibility for maintaining your car security is vital to keeping these figures down. And if anything is stolen, Direct Line can ensure you have adequate insurance protection for your car, to give you extra peace of mind

Remember, outwitting car criminals is a joint effort between you and your car...

Upgrade security on current vehicles

Perhaps the single biggest reason for the drop in thefts of newer cars, in recent years, is the standard fitting of alarms and immobilisers to all new vehicles. The Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre (MIRRC) – or Thatcham – recommends a category one system, which switches on automatically when you leave the car, has an ‘anti-scan’ key-code system and a battery backed-up siren. For details of other approved systems call 0870 550 2006 or visit www.thatcham.org. As Direct Line can tell you, the security of your car is a major factor when applying for any motor insurance quote.

Get a security rating on new cars

If you’re buying a new car, check if it has an alarm, a lockable petrol cap and locking wheel nuts as standard. Most manufacturers now also bond Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plates to the dashboard of your car to help trace it if it is stolen. Plus check out Thatcham’s New Vehicle Security Rating (NVSR) scheme, which rates all new cars in the UK in the categories of ‘Theft Of’ and ‘Theft From’.

With Comprehensive Cover, Direct Line offers an optional hire car for a small extra premium, in case your car is stolen or written off.

Increase your personal vigilance

Don’t give car thieves an easy ride. Get a stereo you can remove and take with you. Invest in a steering wheel or handbrake lock, for as little as £20. Park in a busy, well-lit place or in secure parking. Lock doors and close windows when leaving the car or making slow progress in traffic – it only takes a few seconds at a red traffic light for a thief to spot an opportunity. Never leave keys in the car, and, the golden rule; don’t leave possessions in the car – especially valuables. For more ways to wise up on car security, visit the Home Office website at www.secureyourmotor.org and www.saferparking.com.

If your car is broken into, all Direct Line motor insurance includes a 24-hour Windscreen Helpline, plus Comprehensive Cover also includes a Windscreen Repair service. Investing in Direct Line Possessions and Accidental Damage Insurance is also wise if you need to protect valuables in your car that are worth more than £100. Get Direct Line Motor Insurance and Home Insurance together and you could see a discount of 15%.

To increase your motor and valuables protection visit www.directline.com

Five more good reasons to step up your car security

• At its peak in 1995 over 4.3 million crimes of theft of or from vehicles took place in England and Wales
• Police figures show that for every 100,000 cars parked in a car park, 480 are targeted daily by criminals – compared with 110 parked outside the home or at work
• Stolen cars were believed to be up to 200 times more likely to be involved in crashes and could be used by terrorists or armed robbers for major crimes
• The most frequent car theft is external items like wheel trims, hub caps and number plates
• The most frequently reported car theft is the car stereo with personal goods – bags, clothes and briefcases – running a close second