Cold Start

03/02/2011

Online insurer swiftcover.com has warned that over 2000 car thefts a year occur because of motorists leaving their car to 'warm up' during cold mornings.

It appears that a massive 47 per cent of people surveyed return to their house to collect something with the car left unlocked and the keys in the engine.
While this may seem like a good idea, the disturbing truth is that this action voids many insurance policies.

"Leaving a car with keys in the ignition provides a perfect opportunity for thieves, and we as motorists are especially likely to do this at this time of year," Robin Reames, claims director at swiftcover.com said. "People have an 'it won't happen to me' attitude, and think that it's fine to quickly nip into the house.

However, in reality, it can and does happen anywhere in the UK," he continued.

With the winter weather continuing in many parts of the UK, we can only advise that you should account for warming up time in the mornings and sit in your car as your engine gets going. Perhaps a thermos flask of coffee would be called for.

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