Frosting sends shivers down motorists’ spines

WITH the return of frosty mornings just around the corner, many motorists find themselves tempted to start their car and leave it running to warm it up before they set out on their journey.
But Swinton Insurance warns car owners that should their vehicle be stolen while it is left unattended, they can expect a frosty reception from their insurance company.
Motorists who leave their car running to clear frost from windscreens are giving thieves an open invitation and worse still, invalidating insurance policies, says the UK’s leading high street insurance retailer, Swinton.
The aptly named ‘frosting’ occurs when drivers defrost their car by leaving their vehicle unattended with the keys in the ignition and an opportunistic thief drives the car away while you are still in the house.
A victim of ‘frosting’ could be left out in the cold when it comes to making a claim because insurers deem it as not leaving your vehicle in a secure condition and therefore invalidating the policy.
Swinton predicts the number of frosting attacks will rise as the temperature falls. Home Office statistics show that for cars registered after 1997, keys were used in 85% of incidents where the method of theft was known and 18% of this number were through the owner leaving the keys in the car.
Chris Collings, Swinton’s insurance development director said: “As built in car security becomes increasingly sophisticated, thieves are turning to using the owners’ keys to steal cars.
“On frosty mornings it’s incredible how many drivers leave their car running and nip back inside to finish getting ready – an open invitation for thieves.  People need to use a touch of common sense when there’s a touch of frost.”
Swinton recommends drivers cover their windscreen with a shield or newspaper when frost is forecast to keep the frost off, or use a scraper and de-icer to clear the windscreen.