Car owners 'lack sufficient security' by Tom Dawson

Car owners in London would be well advised to ensure that their vehicles are secure at night following the latest crime statistics released by Admiral Insurance.

According to the firm, four districts within the capital have made it into the top ten car crime hotspots in the UK, having experienced higher levels of break-ins and thefts in the last 18 months. In fact, the three most likely areas in which residents experience such crime are all within Greater London. Drivers in such areas - and indeed elsewhere in the country - might see the benefit of investigating cheap loans to purchase security equipment over paying out for a new vehicle.

Having assessed data from 300,000 insurance claims, insurance specialist Admiral established that the postcodes with the highest level of car crime were in Hackney, followed by Clapham and Leyton. These were joined in the top ten by areas of Bristol. Edinburgh, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle. Sue Longthorn, managing director of the insurance firm, states: "We expect car crime to be higher in inner city areas, but it's surprising to see that 40 per cent of the top ten are in one city, even if it is London. The sad fact is that people living in big cities are more likely to be victims of car crime."

She added that, as a rule, car crime rates were falling but that drivers should do as much as possible to ensure that they decrease still further. Recommendations from the company include not leaving the likes of CDs, satnav systems or even loose change and bags on display. Additionally, owners should not leave their keys on display within their home as, in the event of a robbery, this makes the double-whammy of additional vehicle theft even more likely. However, for those who wish to improve security to a greater degree, a garage is an enviable deterrent. There is potential that a homeowner loan could be used to fund the building of such an extension and it could provide the security of physical walls around the vehicle - possibly preventing the need for seeking out personal loans to replace a stolen car.

Sue Longthorn continued: "Last year, car crime claims fell by five per cent and more importantly, have fallen by 34 per cent over the last five years mainly due to improvements in security within the motoring industry. But you should always be aware of making things as difficult for thieves as possible by effectively securing your car and not leaving valuables on show."

Constructing a garage on your property also has the added potential to improve its value - a welcome surprise for homeowners when it comes to moving up the property ladder. Alternatively, the likes of garden improvements and home refurbishment can prove to be homeowner loans well spent. Recent research from GE Money Home Lending revealed that converting loft space into a further room can increase the value of a property by as much as 22,000 pounds.


About the Author
Tom Dawson writes for Essentially Home Loans. Our visitors can apply online for secured loans and debt consolidation loans at the lowest interest rates.