Is your classic at an increased risk of theft?

Is your classic at an increased risk of theft?
We all love seeing high value classic, performance and luxury cars being driven and enjoyed as they should. But the lure of many enthusiast favourites can also attract unwelcome attention, as part of a growing issue that’s recently led to a 30% rise in vehicle thefts in the past 12 months.

More than 130,000 cars have been stolen in England and Wales in the last year and the figures show that, as you might expect, high value cars are now more likely than ever to be targeted by thieves. This trend has also highlighted that examples of certain prestige marques in the London area are at the highest risk, with Bentley, Ferrari, Range Rover, and Rolls-Royce models being singled out by criminals.

London is the supercar capital of the world, as well as being home to many enthusiasts’ car collections. This explains why thieves are homing in on London, but any owner of a high value car needs to be alert to the potential threat of their prized car being stolen.

There are ways to prevent thieves from carrying out their dastardly work and one the most effective is to fit a tracking device to each of your vehicle. Devices such as the Tracker S5 Plus can be fitted to any model, discreetly hidden away to make sure even the most determined thief cannot discover where it is.

A monitored tracking device is an ideal first line of defence alongside the car’s standard alarm as a tracker never sleeps, so it offers 24-hour, year-round security. You must make sure to keep your subscription renewed and up to date, though, to avoid the service lapsing and leaving your car at risk of disappearing if stolen.

Trackers like the S5 Plus continue to work even if the car’s battery is disconnected, such as when your car is stored during the winter. It will also keep you informed of any movement of the car that is unauthorised and you can set up a ‘geofence’ that creates a virtual perimeter around the car that it can move within, such as a storage facility. If it goes beyond that boundary, the tracker is activated to alert you and the global tracking centre.

Credit – Tracker Network (UK) Ltd

Other tracking devices are on offer, and you should make sure they have Thatcham Security Certification to show they meet the same high standards. Thatcham sets the benchmark for vehicle security, so any tracker approved by them is ideal for your car.

Many modern classic and luxury cars come with keyless entry, which is a fantastic feature to have. However, you need to make sure your keys are kept safe from thieves who use scanning devices to read the signal between car and key. One of the best methods to protect your car keys and remote locking is a Faraday pouch. This insulates the key from any rogue scanning equipment whether the key is in your pocket or tucked away safely at home. Make sure you put keys in a secure store when the car is not being used and check your home security is as strong as possible with an alarm, doorbell-box, and CCTV covering the key areas.

There are also more visible deterrents that work very effectively. It might seem a bit old-school, but a steering wheel lock or steering crook send out a clear signal to any passing thief that you’re security aware and prepared to stop them in their tracks. Although it sounds obvious, you must also make sure to lock your car, even when it’s parked in a secure garage – this is often overlooked but is another highly effective method of delaying criminals. And of course, don’t leave anything in the car that might tempt a casual thief to smash a window.

Credit - Tracker Network (UK) Ltd

When you’re out and about, it can be harder to keep your beloved classic safe from nefarious hands, but there are other easy measures to put them off. Choose carefully where you park and find either a secure car park or somewhere on a busy street with good lighting. Thieves hate being seen, so the more people that are around where you park, the safer it is.

As well as being sure the windows are closed, locking your car and fitting a steering lock device, it’s good practice to turn the front wheels to point in towards the kerb. It’s another tried and trusted method of showing thieves you know what they are up to and have taken the time to prevent them. With the wheels turned to the kerb, it’s much more difficult for determined criminals to try to tow your car onto a trailer and make off.

More modern classic, performance and luxury cars will come with sophisticated immobilisers fitted as standard. You can introduce the same protection with older high value cars, and all classics, by fitting a battery isolator switch. This shuts off power from the battery to the car’s ignition system, making it impossible to start the car without turning it back on. If the switch is hidden where only you know it is, this can stop thieves from making off with your car. Another way to do this is to identify the fuse in older cars that takes care of the ignition system and remove it every time you park, though you have to be confident with electrics to do this and remember to replace it when you’re ready to drive off again…

Credit - Tracker Network (UK) Ltd

Most important of all is to make sure you have the right insurance for your vehicle that covers it comprehensively wherever it’s parked. If you make any changes, such as adding a tracking device or additional security measures, let your insurer know as it could save you money. With the right security measures in place, you can be confident your car will be safe and secure. That leaves you free to enjoy your classic, which is why we all have them in the first place.

Are you concerned about the recent increase in high value vehicle thefts? Share your thoughts and concerns in the comments below… we’ll also do our best to answer any questions you may have.

Our Private Clients team can insure your entire vehicle collection under one policy. This can include cars & bikes, classic & modern vehicles, kit cars, super & hypercars, commercial vehicles and more - whether they are on the road or laid-up. There is also no maximum limit to the number of vehicles or vehicle value and you get a dedicated account handler for the lifetime of the policy. Find out more here.