Drivers forced to pay £2,300 to avoid car insurance premiums skyrocketing amid rise in vehicle crime

Due to premiums going up, data shows that more than a third (36 per cent) of drivers have chosen not to recover damage costs from their car insurance provider over fears of price hikes.

While car crimes can vary, one of the most common cases involved a driver having their car hit, with the offender not leaving details, impacting 30 per cent of respondents.

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A further fifth (21 per cent) of drivers suffered break-ins and malicious damage, such as keying off the paintwork, with a staggering 14 per cent having their car stolen from their home in the last three years.

Car crimes have peaked across different areas in the UK, with London seeing a sharp increase over the past three years, with one in three (33 per cent) drivers experiencing a surge in crime during the years.

But more shockingly, over the past decade, three per cent of motorists have had a car stolen. Almost half of drivers who had their cars stolen replaced the vehicle with the same make and model.

Interestingly, more than a third (37 per cent) of motorists opted for a cheaper vehicle, with the hope it would be less attractive to thieves, but 11 per cent invested in a more expensive car.

Paul Baxter, CEO of The Green Insurer, said: "The rise in car crime is a serious concern, not just for victims but also for other residents in the community. The financial burden can be significant, with many victims struggling to recover their full losses from such incidents.

"At The Green Insurer, we are committed to helping our customers recover from these incidents while also urging drivers to assess their risks and, where appropriate, take proactive security measures, including parking in well-lit areas and using steering wheel locks."

Car thefts have been growing over the past year, with reports finding that a vehicle is stolen every 8.5 minutes in the UK.

Thieves were found to be stealing specific parts of a car, which were then sold on the black market. Airbags and steering wheels, which can be easily removed, were seen to be high-value target items.

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Airbags can cost as much as £1,200 when purchased new, making them highly attractive to thieves, with stolen airbags sold at a fraction of the retail price.

Clive Wain, Head of Police Liaison for Tracker Network UK, explained that there has been a steady increase in vehicle-related thefts for parts. Data saw a five per cent increase in thefts compared to last year, with the component being taken from vehicles in chop shops.

"As major manufacturers face ongoing production delays and parts become harder to source, criminal networks are stepping in to meet demand," he said.

According to Admiral Insurance, over 10,000 car theft claims were recorded last year, with motorists urged to remain vigilant and take extra precautions to protect their vehicles.

Adam Gavin, Motor Claims Director at Admiral, explained that there has been an increase in "all types of theft relating to cars over the last year", from parking sensors to whole vehicles which are then stripped for parts".

To help avoid theft from happening in vehicles, Admiral has urged drivers to use a garage whenever possible to park their cars and keep vehicles locked and out of sight.

But for car owners without driveways, if they need to park on the streets, they should choose "well-lit, safe areas" as well as invest in a steering wheel lock, which can effectively protect both the steering wheel and valuable airbags inside.

Motorists should also double-check that their vehicles are properly locked by trying the handle after locking, Admiral stated.