What do you keep in the glove compartment of your vehicle? First aid kit? Road map? Bank statement?
If the last option seems familiar, you may very well be putting yourself, and your car insurance premium at risk.
Research carried out by a leading UK insurer found that over 10 percent of us leave some form of sensitive information about ourselves in full view in our vehicles.
Worryingly, a further 12 percent of those surveyed admitting to leaving more than £350 of valuable items on display in their cars.
These ranged from CD and mp3 players, sports equipment, laptops, mobile phones, clothes and even sensitive documentation such as bills and bank statements.
And with levels of identity fraud on the rise, owners are being advised to clear their seats before exiting their vehicles and lock all doors and windows. But there are other precautions they can take, which could help the cost of their car insurance as well.
Purchasing locks for either steering wheels or handbrakes, and applying them every time you exit your vehicle will not only help protect your vehicle from wannabe thieves, but could save you a bit on your car insurance quote as it’s classed as an additional safety feature.
Car stereos are another prime target for thieves, most now come with removable fronts, which drivers usually take with them when leaving their vehicles.
Car insurance policies will usually offer extra services, either as part of the package or for a small fee; these can include windscreen repair and accidental damage cover.
Possessions cover is also available as part of some packages, but even if you have such cover it’s advisable to remove any valuable from your vehicle when leaving it unattended.
When leaving your car unattended for any length of time it is important to ensure that, if you don’t have access to secure car parking facilities, that the area is well-lit and busy; leaving your vehicle in a garage overnight can also knock a bit off your car insurance premium as well.
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By: lunchlady | 12-07-2008
what is the statute of limitations on motor vehicle accidents in nj for underinsured drivers? if the person at fault does not have enough coverage to cover the cost of replacing a totaled vehicle, can the insurace company of the other driver sue them personally for the difference? if they can, is there a time frame they have to do it by?
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By: bran | 08-07-2008
my husband was involved in a car accident july05.very minimal damage to other vehicle,none to ours. i just found out our policy cancelled on june30.so we have no insurance to cover this accident. the family of 6 that was in the van were not hurt and 3 of the passengers left before the law arrived because they were going to a wedding. now it is july 08 and 2 of the passsengers are complaining of back problems. i have pictures of the damage to their vehicle and no tickets were given. where do we stand on this?i dont have a problem at all with paying for the damages to the van. but i do have a problem with the injuries. my husband bumped them in the rear pulling from a stop sign. barely any speed at all. any advice would be appreciated. thanks alot!
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