Rising Car Part Theft in the UK – How It Drives Up Costs

How car part theft became a growing problem

Car part theft is now a big concern for motor insurance. In recent years, more people worry about it. Full vehicle theft has gone down a little. The problem is that thieves now want high-value car parts. These parts are quick to take and easy to sell in places that are not regulated or in illegal chop shops.

Data from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) shows there be a big rise in claims for stolen car parts over the last two years. In 2024, insurers handled more than 50,000 theft-related car insurance claims. This cost over £120 million in payouts.

The money you spend goes beyond just fixing cars. Every insurance company adds the higher cost of insurance to all people with a policy. So, even if you have not made a claim, you, me, or anyone still ends up paying more money for premiums. This is because of the larger repair costs for others too.

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Which car parts are most commonly stolen?

Thieves often look for parts that have high value, are easy to take off, and hard to track. Many of them work in groups. They usually take apart, or strip, cars in hidden places. Then, they sell these parts online or send them to other countries.

Hybrid cars like the Toyota Prius and Honda Jazz often get targeted for stolen catalytic converters. This is because they have more of some valuable metals. Cars that have things like parking sensors or advanced cruise features can be at risk too. These parts cost a lot, so they can also attract thieves.

Why catalytic converters are top targets

Catalytic converters are now the top reason for car theft claims. They have rare metals inside, and these metals are worth a lot of money for each kilogram. This is why so many people try to steal them.

Located under the car, these converters are easy to take out. A person can remove them in just two minutes with simple tools. The tracker network UK has found that many big theft rings use the same way to steal them in several different cities. Some of the people in these groups do the same thing over and over.

Replacement costs are high. This is true when theft damages things like exhaust systems or oxygen sensors. In some old cars, the cost of your insurance claim can be bigger than the car’s value. This means your car might just be written off.

This rise is now a big worry for both drivers and car insurance companies. A lot of them want to see proof that you have something to stop theft. For example, they might ask for things like catalytic converter cages. You may need to do this before you can get or keep some car insurance plans.

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How car part theft impacts insurance premiums

The rise in car part theft is making insurance costs go up across the country. When there is a theft, the cost of claims grows. Because of this, insurance companies need to change how they set prices.

The main factors include:

• A higher number of claims can raise the overall risk for everyone.
• The costs of workers and materials used in fixing vehicles are going up.
• It can take longer to get real parts because there are not enough supplies.
• Theft rates are different in each area, so where you live can change the price for your postcode.

Insurers now use new data from the Motor Insurance Database. They look at where cars get stolen most often. Big cities like London, Birmingham, and Manchester have more cases. So, people in these areas see higher motor claims risk. This means the price for motor insurance is often higher for them.

Drivers who are always making theft claims might lose their claims bonus. If you have not made a claim, you may still get higher prices when it is time to renew. This happens because insurers share the cost of losses with people who have the same risk profile.

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What insurance covers you for car part theft?

The type of insurance policy you have decides how much protection you get.

• Comprehensive cover pays for theft of the whole car or its parts. It also covers any damage to the car that happens when someone tries to steal it.
• Third party, fire and theft helps if your whole car gets stolen, but not if just some parts go missing, like the alloy wheels.
• Third party only meets the legal rules but does not help with theft or damage to your own car.

Always read your policy documents closely. This helps you check if there are limits or anything that is not covered, especially for accessories. Some companies only pay for parts that came with the car. If you give a police report, some photos, and your registration number, it can help the claims process move faster. It also makes it easy to prove when the incident happened.

Steps to protect your car from part theft

Good vehicle security helps lower risk. This can help you get lower premiums, too.

1. Put wheel locks and a steering wheel lock on your car. These help stop fast thefts.
2. Try to add shields or cages to cover your catalytic converter if you can.
3. Park your car in public places that are safe or have good lights. Do not leave your car overnight in quiet spots.
4. Do not keep your documents or spare keys in the glove box.
5. Take out your personal belongings if you can see them from outside. This can stop people from breaking in.
6. Add tracking devices that link with the tracker network UK. This can help you get your car back if it gets taken.
7. Use a special code or an etching kit to mark parts of value in your car. This makes it harder for someone to sell them if stolen.

Insurers see that these security measures help. Some of them give discounts if your car has alarms, immobilisers, or tracking systems. These must be approved by Thatcham Research.

What to do if your car parts are stolen

If you see that something is missing, do the following at once:

1. Talk to the police and get a crime reference number.
2. Do not drive the car if any main parts like the exhaust, brakes, or airbags have problems.
3. Let your insurer know about it right away. Give them your registration number, date of the claim, and the crime reference number.
4. Send the police report and pictures that show the damage.
5. Go to approved repairers. This helps keep your warranty safe and make sure your claim is valid.

Reporting on time and giving the right details help to make motor claims go smoothly. This can also help keep your no-claims discount safe. If you wait too long or leave out some information, it can slow things down and take more time to settle your claim.

How quickly do insurance companies in the UK process car part theft claims?

The time an insurance company needs to look at and handle a theft claim can be different in each case. Most simple claims usually get finished in two to four weeks after you send in all the needed papers.

Small claims, like stolen mirrors or badges, may be fixed in a few days when the insurer’s digital repair network is used. Big claims that include several parts or catalytic converters can take more time. This is because the insurer needs to check ownership and repair costs.

To help the claims process go well, people with policies should give:

• The registration number listed just like how it is on the V5C logbook
• A full police report that has the crime reference number
• Copies of policy documents that show your theft cover
• Photos or videos that show the missing parts
• Proof that you own the part or that it was serviced lately, if that matters

Insurers check claims using the Motor Insurance Database and, if there is a way to get the car back, sometimes the tracker network UK.

If the insurer needs more help from the people who handle motor claims or check for fraud, hard cases can take up to six weeks. Using digital claim portals and giving quick answers can help cut down on hold-ups.

Most insurance policies pay out within a month after they check all the evidence. If you feel your claim is taking too long, you can call customer relations. If that does not help, you can take it up with the Financial Ombudsman Service so they can look into it.

Are there specific insurance providers in the UK that specialise in covering car part theft?

Most big UK insurers cover car part theft in their normal comprehensive car insurance. But there are UK providers and brokers who offer extra cover for drivers who have a higher risk.

Some of the main options include:

• Mainstream insurers with theft upgrades – Aviva, Direct Line, and LV= let you get extra theft cover for your car’s accessories and parts.
• Specialist brokers – Companies like Adrian Flux, Lancaster, and A-Plan create car insurance for high-value or changed cars. They often connect these policies to tracker network UK for quicker recovery.
• Manufacturer-linked insurance – Car makers such as Toyota, Lexus, and Honda give plans that help protect against theft, with a focus on stopping catalytic converter theft.
• Classic car and prestige insurers – Services like Heritage or Hagerty set special rules for rare cars and old vehicles with parts that are not easy to find.

These rules are made for cars that get stolen more often. This can happen because of the type of car, the place it is kept, or the changes people make after buying it. These offer more money back if something goes wrong. You get help from special repair experts and faster answers when you ask for help.

If your car has been stolen before or has things people want, it is a good idea to talk to a broker or an insurance company that cares about theft protection. They can help with tips on better security measures. You can also get help to pick an insurer who gives theft benefits that work well and won’t cost too much.

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How to compare car insurance for better theft cover

To help you get the right protection, make sure to compare car insurance policies before you renew. Look at the comprehensive cover choices. This should include theft protection, recovery services, and accessory limits.

When comparing, pay attention to:

• The most you can get paid for stolen parts and accessories
• There is cover to replace personal items found in the car
• Things added after making the car may not be covered
• The insurer usually takes this long to handle and finish claims

If you have a registration number that is your own, check that your theft protection covers it. A lot of companies do not include a personalised registration number unless they say so clearly.

Looking at many providers is a good way for you to find plans that give better service. It can help you pick ones that make filing claims easy and have prices that feel fair. Check for providers that are known to pay claims quickly and are upfront about the process. See if they also get good reviews from other people.

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FAQs about car part theft and insurance