Product category:
General insurance
News Release from: Direct Line | Subject: Car insurance
Edited by the Insidemoneytalk Editorial
Team on 10 April 2008
Three million car owners at risk of ID
theft
One-in-ten car owners regularly leave bills and bank statements in their car. A fifth of car owners display more than £150 of valuables in their car
Research from Direct Line Car Insurance reveals that one-in-ten British car owners are putting themselves at risk of identity theft by forgetting to remove sensitive documents such as bills and statements from the view of opportunistic thieves Indeed, a further 12 per cent admit to having more than £350 worth of valuables in full view on either the front or rear seats of the car
This article was originally published on Insidemoneytalk on 30 Mar 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
One million Brits close to driving ban says Direct Line Car Insurance
More than one million British motorists are now on the brink of losing their licences, according to research by Direct Line Car Insurance.
UK drivers hit by soaring car-parking costs says Direct Line Car Insurance
Parking charges in the UK have soared in the past six years, with an average increase of 25 per cent across the country*, according to Direct Line Car Insurance.
Yet, despite the fact that British cars seem to be potential goldmines for thieves, seven per cent of car owners admit they forget to clear their car seats and six per cent admit they sometimes forget to lock their car altogether.
Jennifer Culley, spokesperson for Direct Line Car Insurance comments: "Car owners need to think twice before they lock up and walk away from their vehicles to ensure they are not leaving valuables or sensitive documents on display.
With the rise in cases of identity fraud over recent years, motorists should avoid giving thieves further opportunities to obtain personal details which can be found on bills, bank statements and letters.
Further reading
Deloitte report names Direct Line as one of the UK's most competitive car insurers
An independent benchmark report into car insurance has shown that Direct Line is the UK's most competitive major insurer.
Direct Line comments on the proposed use of motorway hard shoulders as running lanes:
Tony Chilcott, Head of Car Insurance at Direct Line, said:
"Our advice is to avoid keeping valuables and sensitive documents in the car or take your possessions with you when you leave your car unattended." The most likely items to be left on show include: 1.
Clothes for the office (17 per cent).
2.
Sports equipment (13 per cent).
3.
Letters, bills, statements (10 per cent).
4.
Work files (10 per cent).
5.
Mobile phone (10 per cent).
6.
iPod / MP3 player (4 per cent).
7.
Laptop (2 per cent).
The study also highlights how many car owners have the tendency to treat their car as a second home, with 17 per cent keeping clothes for the office in the car and a further 13 per cent storing sports equipment, such as tennis rackets, gym kit and footballs.
Direct Line's Top Five Tips on Car Security: 1.
;Get a stereo you can remove and take with you.
2.
Invest in a steering wheel or handbrake lock, for as little as £20.
3.
Park in a busy, well-lit place or in secure parking.
4.
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.
5.
Never leave keys in the car and don't leave possessions in the car - especially valuables.
If your car is broken into, all Direct Line motor insurance includes a 24-hour Windscreen Helpline, with the addition of Windscreen Repair service with Comprehensive Cover.
Customers can also purchase Direct Line Possessions and Accidental Damage Insurance if they need to protect valuables in the car that are worth more than £100.
For more information visit www.directline.com.
• Direct Line: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Insidemoneytalk Home Page
