In the first two months of this year, the number of applications for theft of car parts has increased by 25% compared to last year, according to If Insurance data. The last six months have also seen a new trend: a sharp increase in theft of corner corners of BMW car brands.
Most often, thieves have chosen to steal the steering wheels of the 320, 530 and X5 models using a simple method: the car glass is broken and then the steering wheel is unscrewed. According to car service experts, steering wheel theft takes an average of two minutes. “The BMW car brand is one of the most popular car brands in Latvia. And the steering wheel is a valuable enough part that could be easy to sell in the secondary market, ”comments Roberts Skrupskis, Product Manager of If Insurance CASCO.
On average, compensation for a new steering wheel replacement varies from 2,000 to 6,000 euros, depending on the amount of damage to the car. Thefts mainly take place in Riga and Pieriga counties in quieter and more remote places during the dark hours of the day, but at the same time there are also cases in the areas of private houses.
Tips on how to protect your car
“I urge drivers to critically assess where the car is parked – whether this place is safe and inaccessible to strangers. Valuable items such as a bag, mobile phone and other objects of interest to thieves should not be visible through the car interior window. Of course, if the car is at increased risk of theft, it would be desirable to equip it with additional security solutions. I recommend consulting with safety equipment installers, official representatives of car brands, who will also recommend the most appropriate protection solution, ”says R.Skrupskis.
In addition to the steering wheel, it also “takes” the entire car interior
The most popular car parts that thieves choose to steal are still car mirrors, as well as headlights, especially the VOLVO XC60, XC70, V50 and V70. However, there are also cases when the damage is significantly greater – the car has been stolen headlights, steering wheel, panel and other parts in one theft trip, and the total loss can exceed up to 10 thousand euros. In addition, there are still thefts that the car user may not have noticed at first and only detected at the next car maintenance or service visit, such as the disappearance of a VOLVO rear axle control unit.
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