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'Frosting' leads to increase in theft claims, says expert

Thefts committed when cars are left unattended while defrosting have led to an increase in car insurance claims, according to the British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA).

Graeme Trudgill, technical and corporate affairs executive at BIBA, has advised car owners to stay with their cars when defrosting to avoid instances of "frosting".

The term frosting describes thefts that occur when vehicles are left unattended on winter mornings, giving "criminally-minded people" the opportunity to assess when a car might be vulnerable if people leave the house at the same time every day, according to Mr Trudgill.

More opportunistic thieves may simply see an empty car and drive off with it, he said, going on to add that leaving a car unattended may lead to contention with insurance providers, however.

"People are doing the sensible thing by defrosting - they don’t want to drive away with a small gap in the windscreen. But, of course, by then going back in the house and leaving the car, don't expect to be insured…Insurers will be quite unlikely to pay because there will be an argument that you haven't taken reasonable care."

Sainsbury's Bank has estimated that over 120,000 households may have fallen victim to frosting between 2000 and 2005.

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© Adfero Ltd

18/12/2007 13:15:31

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