Protecting your car

Car crime accounts for 20% of the total crime recorded in the UK - which adds up to a great deal of inconvenience and expense for motorists. In many cases, cars are targeted because their owners have left goods in clear view in their vehicles - items such as stereos, satellite navigation systems, jackets and parcels. In other instances, cars and possessions are stolen from under their owners' noses, as they 'just popped out for a minute' leaving their car unlocked or a window open.

Fortunately, it isn't difficult to take some simple precautions that can make things more difficult for the criminals.

• When you leave your car - even for a minute - always remove your ignition key, lock the car and close the windows. It's a common occurrence for thieves to steal cars when they are left unattended for just a few minutes - on petrol station forecourts, for example, or outside shops and schools. Don't even consider popping back into the house while your windscreen defrosts on a winter morning!
• Don't leave belongings on display in your vehicle - put any valuables away in a locked glove compartment or in the boot. If audio and navigation equipment can be removed, make sure you hide them from view when you leave your car.
• Make sure you don't leave your vehicle documents or insurance documents in your car - they could help a thief to sell your vehicle.
• Etching the registration number (or the last seven digits in your Vehicle Identification Number) into the glass surfaces of a vehicle is a proven deterrent, as it is costly for thieves to replace them. Your local Autoglass branch will etch your glass for free.
• If you haven't got one, get a car alarm. Choose one that's approved by Thatcham (the Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre) and have it professionally fitted.
• Use a steering wheel lock when you leave your vehicle, and use locking wheel nuts to secure your wheels.
• Be careful where you park. If you have access to a garage, use it and make sure it is always locked. If you park on the street, choose areas that are well lit.
• Keep your spare car keys in a safe place at home, so they can't be easily found by burglars. Don't leave them on a hook or table in the hallway near your front door - thieves are known to use a long pieces of wire fed through letterboxes to hook ignition keys.
• Make sure you forward your post when you move home, so that important documents don't go astray.

Windscreen care

Having a windscreen replaced can be expensive, and even if you have comprehensive cover, you will have to pay the windscreen excess shown in your Schedule. Far better to have a windscreen repaired rather than replaced, as windscreen repairs don't usually incur an excess.

If you regularly check your windscreen for signs of damage, you can often spot a chip before it turns into a crack - and a chip can usually be repaired without replacing the windscreen. So keep an eye on your windscreen, and if you spot any damage, call our helpline on 0800 085 8549 right away - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.