Keyless Car Thefts Are On The Rise: How To Protect Your Vehicle
Keyless car thefts are on the rise, with owners of keyless vehicles twice as likely to make a theft claim as those with non-keyless cars, according to Aviva claims figures from 2020-22. 1
These figures are no surprise really, with more drivers moving away from traditional protection devices and switching to more modern electronic methods.
Car thieves are now finding ways to intercept and manipulate the electronic signals used in modern protection methods, such as keyless cars – therefore putting them at risk.
So, if you have a keyless car and are worried about the rise in this crime, read on to hear some of Aviva’s top tips on avoiding vehicle theft:
- Keep your keys in a signal blocking pouch, container or box. These devices help prevent signals from your keys being intercepted and manipulated by thieves.
- Fit a vehicle tracking system. Think about fitting your own vehicle tracking device, even if you have one pre-installed.
- Don’t leave anything in your vehicle. Anything worth stealing makes your vehicle more attractive to thieves. If you must store something in your vehicle for a short period, make sure it’s out of sight.
- Consider using immobilisers. Immobilisers prevent the engine from starting without a correct key or fob. All new cars sold in England and Wales since October 1998 will have immobilisers installed already but if you have an older car, it may be worth considering one.
- Never leave the keys in the ignition. Thieves work fast – your vehicle could be gone in 60 seconds. Also think about where you keep your car keys – don’t store them in the garage or near your front or back door.
- Use a steering wheel lock. These bright yellow locks can be very effective at encouraging thieves to move on to an easier target. You can also fit security devices to your clutch and gear stick to make things even more difficult for criminals.
Of course, having the correct Motor Insurance policy in place is also very important. Please get in touch with us by contacting us on 01403 785775 or by email at info@omnidavis.co.uk. We would be more than happy to help.
1 Source: Aviva vehicle claims data, between Mar-19 to Feb-20 compared to Mar-21 to Feb-22.
