According to a van insurance company, the UK’s three and half million van insured drivers are helping make van thefts for thieves easier.

A study revealed that 42% of van owners do not have an immobilizer, 51% do not have a fitted alarm, and 16% do not even lock their vehicles. As a result, it is not surprising that 560,000 (16%) vans have been broken into during the last three years.

Simon Henrick, the leader of the van study, said van insured drivers are making it too easy: “There are over 185,000 vans being broken into a year in the UK, and many drivers are making it an easy earner for thieves.”

A nation of van-tastic options for thieves

With around 511 vans being broken into every day, thieves are finding they can have easy pickings. However, some motorists do err on the side of caution, with 36% emptying their vans at night. 7% also have a ‘van vault’ or similar secure chest fitted.

Tommy Walsh, a former tradesman noted that without tools, van drivers face heavy consequences: “If you're a tradesman and somebody steals your tools, it not only stops you working, but some tools are like old friends that you trust and have had for years. That's without even taking into account the cost to replace them. The fact is that a thief will always have a buyer for your tools and leaving them in your vehicle is asking for trouble.”

Henrick agreed: “Only 33 per cent of drivers we asked had the relevant insurance to cover their contents. The loss of your tools, or stock can have a severe impact on your business and not having them covered makes it far more costly than it needs to be.”

The research also found that some vans were targeted more than once by thieves with over 35,000 drivers having their vehicle broken into more than once in the last year.

Geographical differences

The study found that London appeared to be the prime location for thieves targeting vans. In this area 35% of vans were broken into during the last three years, compared with 16% nationally. The areas that were least affected by van crime were the Midlands (6%) and Wales (5%)

However, it was discovered that London drivers were the most security aware as 95% locked their vans, but they were the worst at emptying their contents, with only 33% doing so. 22% of the South East and Anglia population leave their vehicles unlocked.

The expense

In addition to replacing the cost of stolen items, drivers face other indirect costs which all add up. It is estimated that around 23% of van drivers have to miss up to five days of work after being a victim of crime. For a small business or the self employed, this can have a devastating effect on their income.

Ensure a van is insured

With the recession biting, commercial vehicle insurance policyholders and van drivers have been advised that it is now more important than ever to protect their van against theft or damage.

Therefore, all drivers should think about purchasing vehicle insurance: “The recession is putting pressure on criminals to find good quality used [vehicles] of all types, so all owners need to take steps to protect their assets,” said Bill Raynal from an insurance company.