High Level of Van Thefts Underlines Need for Insurance

20th March, 2009

Twenty one vans are broken into every hour in the UK, according to a new survey from Direct Line for Business.

According to the study, 560,000 vans (16 per cent) have been broken into over the last three years, with 35,000 drivers having suffered van theft more than once in the last 12 months.

The findings from Direct Line for Business underline the need for drivers to invest in comprehensive van insurance to ensure that any theft is covered. Van cover can also be a crucial component of business insurance, especially for small businesses whose day-to-day operations could be seriously affected by a van break-in.

However, drivers also need to take certain precautions to ensure that their vehicle is not targeted by van thieves. According to Direct Line's survey, only 36 per cent of drivers empty their van's contents at the end of the day, 51 per cent do not have fitted alarms and 16 per cent don't even lock their doors at night.

Simon Henrick from Direct Line for Business said: "There are over 185,000 vans being broken into a year in the UK, and many drivers are making it an easy earner for thieves.

"Only 33 per cent of drivers we asked had the relevant insurance to cover their contents. The loss of your tools, or stock can have a severe impact on your business and not having them covered makes it far more costly than it needs to be."

The research also exposed regional differences in the way that van thefts occur. London, for example, saw 35 per cent of drivers experiencing van thefts over the last three years, compared with 16 per cent nationally. Wales and the Midlands were least affected, at five and six per cent respectively.

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