Car vandalism: hotspots revealed, your insurance rights and how to protect your vehicle

As new research reveals car vandalism hotspots in England and Wales, we look at your insurance rights and how you can protect yourself against this type of crime.

Devon and Cornwall are the worst-hit areas in England and Wales for car vandalism, a new investigation has revealed.

According to research from Churchill Motor Insurance, police in this region received 2,134 reports of this type of crime in April to September 2023, which is a 26% increase from the previous six months.

Other hotspots include Bedfordshire, Avon and Somerset, and North Yorkshire, which were all among the 10 worst-affected regions.

At the other end of the scale, Northumbria experienced the biggest decline in vandalism incidents, with 1,927 during April to September 2023, which is a fall of 29%.

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How common is car vandalism?

Shockingly, the research found that more than 3,000  cars in England and Wales are subject to vandalism every week.

Train stations appear to be particularly risky spots for motorists, with the British Transport Police reporting a 19% increase in criminal damage to vehicles during this time.

The most common forms of damage typically include scratches from a key or other object, slashed tyres, smashed windows and graffiti.

As well as causing a huge amount of emotional distress for victims, car vandalism also has a high financial cost.

According to the research, a deep paintwork scratch can cost £300 to repair, while replacing a slashed tyre could set you back £110.

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But where are you most likely to be a victim? Below is a list of the 10 worst-affected areas in England and Wales as identified in Churchill’s research, ranked according to the number of complaints to police forces.

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The areas where vandalism is falling

And where are the safest places to park your vehicle? Here are the 10 areas experiencing the biggest decline in car vandalism according to Churchill’s research, again ranked by complaints to police forces in England and Wales.

Although vandalism figures remain alarmingly high, the data did record an overall fall of 2% during April to September 2023.

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What should I do if my car is vandalised?

If you are the victim of vandalism, you should first call the police.

Bear in mind, you should use the non-emergency number if you are not in any physical danger and the vandals have left the scene.

You should also take photos of any damage as you may need to show these to your insurer at a later date.

If possible, it’s also a good idea to check any CCTV or dashcam footage you have.

However, you should not touch anything as this could interfere with evidence that the police could later use in an investigation.

Can I claim on my insurance?

Whether you can claim for vandalism on your insurance will depend on the type of policy you have.

Although you should be covered if you have a comprehensive plan, this type of damage isn’t usually covered under third party or third party, fire and theft policies.

Note, you’ll need a crime reference number from the police when contacting your insurer about the incident.

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Will vandalism affect my no-claims discount?

It may seem unfair when you have been the victim of crime but making a claim for vandalism will likely affect any no-claims discount you’ve built up.

That’s because your insurer will probably consider it to be an ‘at-fault’ claim, ie a claim in which the company cannot recover the costs of the repairs from another party.

As an exception, some insurance companies offer what’s known as a ‘vandalism promise’. This typically means that you won’t lose your no-claims discount if you are the victim of malicious damage, although you’ll normally need to pay the excess on your claim.

How can I protect myself from vandalism?

The most effective way to reduce your risk of criminal damage is to make your car a less attractive target.

For instance, you should remove any valuable objects from the vehicle as having expensive items on display may encourage thieves to smash your windows.

Tucking in your wing mirrors when you’re parked could also reduce the likelihood of them being smashed or  kicked.

Parking your car in a well-lit area may also cause vandals to think twice before targeting your vehicle.

If possible, you should also try to park your car in your drive or garage, especially overnight.