Car safety

Digital theft techniques are on the rise. We know it can be hard to keep up to date with what precautions should be taken to help keep your musical instrument and equipment safe.

Don’t panic! We’ve done some research and pulled together the key updates you should be aware of.

Thatcham Research (2019) announced updates to the New Vehicle Security Assessment (NVSA) programme, which is based on securing cars against the threat presented by digital compromise.

“Car crime is on the increase, with intelligence suggesting that electronic compromise is a factor in as many as one in four vehicle thefts” - Thatcham Research, 2019.

Did you know?

Last year, BBC News reported that car theft rates in England and Wales have reached an eight-year high. In 2018, more than 106,000 vehicles were stolen.
Over the last decade, vehicle-related theft has accounted for around one in seven crimes (Office for National Statistics, 2017).
In the survey year ending March 2017, around 4 in 100 vehicle-owning households had been victims of vehicle-related theft (Office for National Statistics, 2017).
Now more than ever it’s important to understand the steps you can take to help prevent this from happening to you. We know how important and vital it is for musicians to protect your instruments/equipment, whether you’re on tour, teaching or even small local gigs.

What should you do?

Understand the digital functions of your car - Keyless entry system? Can the fob be switched off over night? Speak to your dealer about updates/added security.
Store keys away from household entry points - Keyless fobs should be stored as far into your home as possible, making it harder for a criminal to detect the signal
Make sure shielding devices work - Faraday pouches and containers will block the signal - test this yourself to make sure it is effective.
Be vigilant - Choose well-lit areas to park in, observe your car has been locked correctly and report any suspicious behaviour to the police.

How can Allianz help you?

We offer Unattended Vehicle cover as an optional add-on to our standard policies. Whether or not you want to consider adding this to your policy entirely depends on your needs and lifestyle. This cover may be useful if you transport your instrument for lessons, touring or playing live.
Simply put, Unattended Vehicle cover insures your musical equipment against theft or accidental damage, whether that's for a quick stop at a petrol station, or an entire night. We ask that the instrument is hidden from view, preferably in a locked boot or glove compartment, if it will fit. This cover does not cover any loss or damage to the insured item whilst it is left in a soft top convertible vehicle.
If you have any questions about this, or own a particularly large instrument and are unsure how to store it while travelling, please give us a call on 0330 100 9903 and we'll be happy to help.