BRITISH drivers have been warned against hiding Christmas presents in their car over the festive period, as it can increase the risk of theft and may even jeopardise their car’s insurance policy.
Using your motor as a ready-made hiding place for presents could count against you if an insurer decides you didn’t take “reasonable care” of your vehicle and its contents.
Tempcover warns that if gifts are judged to be “on display”, a claim could be reduced or even rejected entirely – leaving you to foot the bill for the stolen items and even the full cost of the car.
Crucially, what motorists consider hidden – such as presents covered with a coat or blanket – can still be regarded as visible by insurers.
Temporary car insurance expert Jake Lambert at Tempcover said: “What might seem like a clever way to avoid family members sneaking a peek at their gifts can actually lead to disaster.
“Insurance is a great safety net, but it relies on you taking ‘reasonable care’ of your vehicle and its contents.
“By understanding this rule, you can make choices that ensure your safety net stays intact.
“In the event of a car theft, your insurer will check whether your vehicle was locked, items were in a closed compartment, and you exercised reasonable precautions.
“As such, hiding presents anywhere that could be construed as ‘on display’, even if you have attempted to hide an item by covering it with a coat or blanket, could be deemed as not taking the correct steps.
“This doesn’t necessarily mean a full loss, but it could drastically reduce the amount your insurer will cover if the vehicle is stolen, and in extreme cases, invalidate the claim entirely.”
New research from Tempcover shows how common the practice is, with over half of motorists (51%) admitting they have hidden Christmas presents in their car for an extended period.
Indeed, a third (32%) say they’ve done so several times, yet most drivers (66%) are unaware this could breach the reasonable care clause and invalidate their insurance.
One in ten Brits have had a gift stolen from their car, with the average value just over £200, while 10% of those victims have reported losses above £500 – which often exceeds typical personal belongings cover on car insurance.
If a claim is rejected, motorists could lose both the presents and be left to cover any repair or replacement costs for their motor themselves – something that would be especially painful at an already pricey time of year.
To reduce the risk, experts advise keeping gifts out of the car altogether where possible.
If you must use the car, ensure items are fully out of sight in the boot or a closed compartment, remove receipts and branded packaging, double-check the vehicle is locked with windows fully closed and plan shopping trips to avoid leaving bags unattended for long periods.
