low cost car insurance

The research also found that many car owners in Britain treat their vehicle more like a second home than a car, using them to store various sports equipment and clothes for the office. It is not advisable to use cars as extra storage; leaving items on display will tempt thieves, especially when as many as six per cent of British car owners admit to occasionally forgetting to lock their car.

But while most car insurance policies offer the option of insuring valuables left in cars, often at an extra cost, it is unlikely that car insurance companies will cover for identity theft. Identity theft can prove much more damaging than the theft of some possessions. With just a few details, criminals can apply for bank accounts, benefits and credit cards in another person’s name, causing permanent damage to the victim’s credit rating.

According to the Government, more than 100,000 Britons fall victim to identity theft each year. Leaving personal documents in a car increases the risk of identity theft, as does throwing this information out with the rubbish. The Government recommends being extra vigilant with personal information and shredding everything before throwing it away. Signs of identity theft include rubbish bags being tampered with, mail going missing and unusual payments or direct debits appearing on a bank statement.