I spy a GameBoy and inadequate car insurance cover for gadgets
Are you taking a long car trip with the kids any time soon? Do you think your car insurance will cover you in the event of your vehicle being broken into? If the answer to both these questions is yes - it might pay to read on.
I Spy is a thing of the past
In-car childhood favourites like the perennial "my little eye" game and the more mathematically challenging "Fizz Buzz" may be remnants of by-gone days due to the innovation of portable technology such as iPods, GameBoys and even in car DVD systems, but for all their innovation do they actually stem the question, "Are we nearly there yet?"
Research carried out in 2009 suggested that the average value of in-car hand-held gadgets was around £800 and whilst for some exasperated parents this may seem like a cheap price to pay for a peaceful road trip, if the whole lot gets stolen as you take a break in the motorway services - the peace and tranquillity of your holiday could be ruined before you've even got to your destination.
You may not be covered by your car insurance
Firstly, if windows and doors have been left unlocked that may invalidate your claim for stolen valuables. Even if the windows were only left open a fraction, as many of us do in hot weather, this could be deemed as enough to have given access to opportunist thieves.
Secondly, unless valuables have been placed out of sight in the boot or glove compartment your insurance company may argue that you have invalidated the claim by leaving the goods on display.
Lastly, if your car insurance policy does cover contents stolen from your vehicle, it may only offer a nominal sum of around £100-£150 for everything, not for each item.
So, if you plan to take a lot of electronic valuables away with you, it may be best to contact your home insurance provider to see if your items will be covered by your home contents cover.
Tips to foil the felons
As already suggested, putting your valuables out of sight when you leave the vehicle is always a good idea, but if you drive into a crowded place such as a car park at a service station, a busy event or tourist attraction, you never know who may be checking out what is on show in your car as you arrive.
A good tip is to deposit valuables out of sight a few minutes before you arrive at your destination, so that thieves won't target your car as a good prospect for easy pickings. Once in a bag, they can then be put into the boot before you depart to enjoy your day.
And hopefully, they will still be there when you return.
duck2water car insurance and protecting your valuables
At duck2water we specialise in online car insurance policies that offer the best value for money, whilst offering all the cover you need for your vehicle. If you need to include cover for your valuables speak to one of our advisors on 0333 123 1308 and see what our car insurance search engine can find you.