Land Rover and Range Rover vehicles are some of the most popular luxury SUVs on the market. Unfortunately, they are also one of the most stolen vehicles in the UK. In 2022, Range Rovers were the second most stolen car in the UK, with over 5,200 taken.
The vehicles are so attractive to thieves; firstly, they’re expensive vehicles, meaning thieves can get a good price for them on the black market. They’re also relatively easy to steal. Many models have keyless entry systems, which can be easily hacked. Also, the vehicles are often parked in high-end areas where there is less foot traffic and therefore less chance of the thief being caught.
The rise in Land Rover and Range Rover thefts have made it difficult for owners to get insurance for their vehicles and this is becoming an increasing problem leading to insurers applying hefty terms in order to provide cover. Many insurance companies have either stopped offering insurance for these vehicles altogether or have significantly increased premiums/excesses.
What can owners do to protect their vehicle from theft?
- Install a Cat S5 tracking device
- Park behind gates/in a garage
- Install CCTV
- Use a steering wheel lock
- Park the vehicle in a well-lit area
- Avoid leaving valuables in the vehicle
- Buy a faraday pouch
Recent information shared by one of our insurance partners confirmed Land Rovers make up around 5% of an insurers motor book, yet they account for circa. 40% of theft claims.
So, what are Land Rover doing to address the issue of theft? They’re inescapably aware of the issue regarding the increasing thefts and are working to address it. So far, the company has implemented a number of security measures, including:
- Upgrading its keyless entry systems
- Adding more security features to its vehicles
- Working with law enforcement to track down thieves
With the modern devices available, the chances of recovery are a lot higher where a tracker is fitted. Should you however find yourself in an unfortunate situation where your vehicle has been stolen, your first point of call should always be to notify the police. By doing this, as well as implementing the above preventative steps, you can help protect yourself from financial loss and increase the chance of your vehicle being recovered if stolen.
By Molly White Cert CII – Commercial Account Handler