With much of the UK facing its first cold snap and significant snowfalls of this winter, the ABI is warning motorists not to leave their vehicles unattended, with the engine running to defrost and warm up. Thieves are increasing targeting cars left unattended in this way.

Cold weather leads to a spate of vehicles stolen by thieves on the prowl for vehicles left unattended with the engine running to defrost. During the last cold snap in January this year, Lancashire police alone logged 27 unattended vehicles left this way over just two hours. In one morning four cars were stolen this way in Greater Manchester. Last year, a gang of car thieves known as The Ice Bandits received prison sentences.

Leaving your vehicle unattended with the keys in the ignition could be seen as not taking reasonable care, and might invalidate any insurance claim if your vehicle is stolen in this way.

Nick Starling, the ABI’s Director of General Insurance and Health, said:

“No one wants to freeze while defrosting their car. But tempting though it is on freezing mornings, don’t leave your vehicle with the engine running to warm up while you nip back inside, even if it is only for a couple of minutes, as it only takes seconds for thieves to strike. Stay with your vehicle while it warms up, so that it is you that drives away in a warm car, not a thief.”




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Notes

Notes for Editors

1. Enquiries to:
Liz Forster 020 7216 7444 (Mobile: 07717 578 586)
Malcolm Tarling 020 7216 7410 (Mobile: 07776 147 667)
Erfan Hussain 020 7216 7411 (Mobile: 07712 841 184)
Kelly Ostler-Coyle 020 7216 7415 (Mobile: 07968 364 302)

2. The ABI is the voice of the UK’s insurance, investment and long-term savings industry. It has over 300 members, which together account for around 90% of premiums in the UK domestic market.
The ABI’s role is to:
- Be the voice of the UK insurance industry, leading debate and speaking up for insurers.
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The UK insurance industry is the third largest in the world and the largest in Europe. It is a vital part of the UK economy, managing investments amounting to 24% of the UK’s net worth and contributing the fourth highest corporation tax of any sector. Employing over 275,000 people in the UK alone, the insurance industry is also one of this country’s major exporters, with a fifth of its net premium income coming from overseas business.
Insurance and businesses protect themselves against the everyday risks they face, enabling people to own their own homes, travel overseas, provide for a financially secure future and run businesses. Insurance underpins a healthy and prosperous society, enabling businesses and individuals to thrive, safe in the knowledge that problems can be handled and risks carefully managed. Every day, our members pay out £155 million in benefits to pensioners and long-term savers as well as £58 million in general insurance claims.

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4. More news and information from the ABI is available on our web site, www.abi.org.uk.