How Car Crime in the UK Affects Your Insurance Rates

Car crime remains a growing concern for UK drivers. Recent research suggests there is around a one-in-four chance that motorists will experience some form of vehicle crime within a 12-month period, ranging from vandalism to full car theft.

For many car owners, vehicles are essential to their daily lives, making incidents such as theft or deliberate damage a horrible violation as well as a financial shock. Car crime also plays a key role in driving up the average cost of car insurance, even for motorists who have never made a claim.

See how your car insurance compares for your area.

How common is car crime in the UK?

Car crime covers a wide range of offences, not just stolen vehicles.

Types of vehicle crime

Car crime can include:

• Car theft
• Theft from a parked car
• Deliberate vandalism, such as scratches or dents
• Keyless theft
• Theft of parts like catalytic converters
• Hit-and-run damage
• Vehicle cloning

New research from RAC found that 26% of drivers experienced some form of vehicle crime in the past year, making it the second biggest motoring frustration after rising motoring costs.

What are the latest statistics on car crime rates in the UK?

Official national data shows that vehicle theft has increased sharply over the past decade. Recorded vehicle thefts are around 70% higher than ten years ago, highlighting the growing scale of the issue.

Survey-based studies suggest that around one in four UK motorists experienced car crime in the last year. While theft remains a serious concern, vandalism and theft from vehicles are reported more frequently.

Urban areas continue to see the highest concentration of incidents, although concern among drivers in rural locations remains high.

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Where is car crime most likely to happen?

Location has a major influence on risk.

Urban vs rural car crime

Urban drivers face higher exposure due to dense parking and higher footfall. However, rural drivers often report similar levels of worry, particularly where vehicles are left unattended overnight.

What cars are most targeted by thieves?

Some vehicles are targeted simply because they are common.

Why modern cars attract criminals

According to Thatcham Research, the increasing complexity of modern vehicles has made them more attractive to organised criminal gangs.

Factors include:

• Vulnerabilities in key fob systems
• Demand for precious metals in catalytic converters
• Higher costs of parts and labour

Popular models such as the Ford Fiesta have historically featured among the most stolen car lists, largely due to how widely they are owned.

Does car crime affect the cost of car insurance?

Yes. Rising car crime has a direct impact on premiums.

Why insurance costs rise

As explained by Simon Williams, every criminal incident adds to insurer costs, which are reflected across the market.

Even drivers who never claim may still see:

• Higher premiums
• Reduced availability of cheaper policies
• Stricter underwriting in high-risk areas

Compare car insurance prices to see how costs vary by location.

Does car insurance cover theft and vandalism?

Coverage depends on the policy type.

Crime cover by insurance type

Comprehensive cover offers the widest protection for car owners concerned about crime.

Will claiming for car crime increase future premiums?

In many cases, yes.

How claims affect costs

Making a claim can:

• Reduce your no-claims discount
• Increase future premiums
• Affect renewal offers

This leads some drivers to pay for minor repairs themselves rather than claim.

Is there a calculator to check my individual risk of car theft in the UK?

There is no official national calculator that provides a personalised car theft risk score for individual drivers.

However, insurers assess individual risk using:

• Postcode-level crime data
• Where the car is parked overnight
• Vehicle make and model
• Security features

Because insurers price policies using this data, comparing quotes can provide a practical indication of how your individual risk is being assessed.

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How can I find out if my local area is a car crime hotspot?

Drivers can check local risk by:

• Reviewing police crime statistics for their postcode
• Monitoring local authority crime reports
• Noting insurance price differences by address

Higher insurance quotes often reflect higher local risk levels.

How do I make a claim if my car or its contents are stolen?

If you are a victim of car crime:

1. Report the incident to law enforcement immediately
2. Obtain a crime reference number
3. Contact your insurer as soon as possible
4. Provide details such as vehicle registration, time, and location

Claims for stolen items may require proof of ownership, including receipts or evidence relating to credit cards or valuables taken.

How can the police help after car crime?

Police reports:

• Provide essential documentation for insurance claims
• Help identify organised criminal gangs
• Build intelligence on repeat offending areas

Reporting incidents supports wider prevention efforts, even if recovery is not guaranteed.

What does Neighbourhood Watch do to help prevent car crime?

Neighbourhood Watch schemes aim to:

• Share alerts about suspicious activity
• Promote visible deterrents
• Encourage safer parking habits

Community awareness can significantly reduce opportunistic theft.

How can drivers reduce the risk of car crime?

No solution is foolproof, but certain measures help.

Practical prevention steps

• Use a visible deterrent such as a steering lock
• Store keys in a Faraday pouch to prevent relay attacks
• Always lock the car door, even on driveways
• Avoid leaving valuables in a parked car
• Choose well-lit or secure parking locations

These steps make vehicles less attractive to thieves.

What drivers can actually control

Drivers cannot control crime levels, but they can control their insurance choices.

Key decisions

• Level of cover
• Excess amount
• Declared security features

Check if your car insurance still suits your level of risk.

Correct as of 02 February 2026

FAQ’s About Car crime and Insurance