Vandalism costs drivers £1.9 billion

• Almost three million motorists have their cars vandalised each year, with average damage costs of £661
• Over 60 per cent of police force investigations into criminal damage to motor vehicles are closed without ever identifying a suspect
• Victims of car vandalism blame neighbours and lovers for damage to their vehicles
• Churchill has launched vandalism cover as standard on comprehensive policies, which preserves customers’ no claim discount if they wish to claim for repairs to their vehicle 
   

New research¹ by Churchill Car Insurance reveals vandals cause £1.9 billion of damage to cars across the UK each year. Almost three million motorists have their cars vandalised, with an average of £661 of damage caused to each vehicle. Vandalism includes bodywork being keyed, dented, graffitied and windows smashed. Analysis² of police data showed the total value of criminal damage to motor vehicles increased by 9.5 per cent from 2016 to 2017. 

The study exposes the scale of vehicle vandalism in the UK can’t be established by official statistics alone, as in more than a third (34 per cent) of cases victims did not report the damage to the police.

Prosecutions for this crime lag behind many other offences, with police forces closing over 60 per cent of investigations into criminal damage to motor vehicles without ever identifying a suspect. While conviction rates remain low for this crime, many victims believe they know who vandalised their vehicle. Almost a fifth (18 per cent) of drivers in the UK have had their car vandalised and 41 per cent of these motorists believe they know who committed the crime.  Neighbourhood disputes are thought to be the cause of the majority of criminal damage, with victims blaming those living around them in one in ten cases. Crimes of passion also see vehicles being damaged, with people blaming current or former partners (five per cent) and love rivals (five per cent). 

The suspicion that children are responsible for much of the criminal damage to motor vehicles in the UK is borne out by police statistics. When police do identify a potential suspect, in many cases the culprit is found to be a minor.  A fifth (20 per cent) of all cautions over the past three years were issued by police to youths, rising from 18 per cent in 2015 to 21 per cent in 2017.  While those who cause less than £5,000 of damage to a car can receive maximum penalties of a £2,500 fine or three months imprisonment, many of those the police investigate for this crime are only given a caution. 
 

Steve Barrett, head of Car Insurance at Churchill, said: "A moment of anger or mindlessness on the part of the vandal can cause victims long-lasting stress and worry and, as our research shows, can cost motorists dear. It’s an extremely unfair act and while not all cases will result in a conviction, we strongly advise victims report vandalism to the police. If repairs aren’t made to even small scratches and dents, the condition of the vehicle will deteriorate which could significantly impact the resale value. To help drivers, we have launched new vandalism cover which ensures policyholders can claim for repairs while preserving their all-important no claim discount.” 

The benefits of parking a car in a secure location such as a garage are reinforced by the research, which reveals one in eight (12 per cent) people believe their car was vandalised because it was an easy target. The rise in online ‘prank’ videos is also being blamed for an increase in criminal damage against vehicles. More than one in eight (12 per cent) owners believed their car was targeted because the perpetrator thought it would be fun or a prank. People also think that alcohol (nine per cent) and boredom (seven per cent) are reasons for people damaging their vehicles. 
 

Regional findings:

Residents of Plymouth have the highest risk of having their car vandalised, with more than a quarter (26 per cent) of inhabitants experiencing damage to their vehicle. Residents of Sheffield (25 per cent) and London (23 per cent) are also at a high risk of their car being vandalised.   
 

Table one:  City residents with the highest risk of their car being vandalised

Source: Churchill Car Insurance 2017
 

Churchill’s vandalism cover³ comes as standard on comprehensive policies. Policyholders that claim for damage caused by a malicious and deliberate act won’t lose their no claim discount. The insurer won't just repair the damage, if policyholders go to one of Churchill’s recommended garages they'll clean the car inside and out too.

ENDS
 

Notes to Editor
 

• ¹Research conducted by Opinium amongst a nationally representative sample of 2,005 adults between 9th – 12th January 2018
• ²Freedom of Information Act request made to regional police forces across the UK on 15th November 2018. 35 of the 45 police forces provided responses.
• ³Subject to policy terms and conditions -  only available for comprehensive policy holders.  Policyholders must demonstrate the damage has not been caused by another vehicle, report the incident to the police and secure a crime reference number, pay the excess.
   

For further information please contact:

Chloe French 

PR Manager 

Direct Line Group

Tel: 01651 831 715

Email: Chloe.French@directlinegroup.co.uk

Antonia Green

Citigate Dewe Rogerson

Antonia.green@citigatedewerogerson.com

0207 282 2967
 

Churchill
 

Founded in 1989, Churchill is now one of the UK's leading providers of general insurance, offering car, home, travel and pet insurance cover over the phone or on-line.

Churchill general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.  

Churchill and U K Insurance Limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.  
 

Customers can find out more about Churchill products or get a quote by calling 0300 200 300 or visiting www.churchill.com