The failure of drivers to lock their vehicles is despite gardaí reporting a huge increase in car thefts.
Failure to take the adequate security measure could lead to a double whammy of theft and an insurance company’s refusal to pay out. Insurance experts say providers may not meet a claim if a car is stolen after it was left unlocked.
In a new survey, 31pc of motorists admitted failing to lock their cars consistently, thereby increasing the risk of theft. The findings are from a nationwide poll of 850 motorists commissioned by insurance specialists Gallagher and conducted by iReach.
Two-thirds of drivers report having anti-theft devices, such as steering wheel locks or immobilisers, installed in their vehicles.
Drivers living in urban areas are twice as likely to use both types of devices compared with their rural counterparts.
According to An Garda Síochána, 4,000 vehicles were stolen in 2022, marking a 57pc increase between the last three months of 2021 and the same quarter in 2022.
Almost four out of 10 of these thefts took place at residential locations, highlighting the growing threat.
Crime statistics recorded by the Central Statistics Office show the upward trend persisted last year and this year.
The statistics show an 18pc increase in car thefts between the first three months of last year and the first three months of this year.
Asked if they lock their car, three in 10 respondents said they lock it most of the time or rarely forget. Those who said they never lock their car accounted for 2pc of respondents.
Women are more consistent in their car-locking habits, with 73pc locking their vehicle every time they get out of it, compared with 65pc of men.
Older people are more diligent in locking their car than younger individuals, with 79pc of those aged 55 and over doing so consistently, compared with just 56pc of those aged 25 to 34.
In Dublin, 80pc of drivers lock their cars every time they get out of them, whereas only 60pc of motorists in Connacht, Ulster and Munster do so.
Geraldine Kelly is Gallagher’s head of operations for personal lines. She said: “The case for taking your car’s security seriously is easily made. Beyond the obvious benefit of making your car harder to steal, there are significant financial implications.”
She said many insurers recognise the importance of robust security measures and may offer discounts if your car is equipped with devices like alarms or immobilisers.
But Ms Kelly added: “It’s crucial to remember that even with these security features, your insurance policy might not cover you if your car is stolen or broken into due to negligence, such as leaving your doors unlocked.”
She said insurance companies often include clauses that void coverage in cases where basic security measures aren’t followed.
For example, if your car is stolen because it was left unlocked or the keys were left inside, your insurer could refuse to pay out for the loss or damage.
“Locking your car ‘some’ or even ‘most’ of the time suggests that drivers may be underestimating the risk they are taking,” Ms Kelly said.
“A few seconds is all it takes for a thief to access your vehicle and potentially steal valuables or the car itself.”
