RAA Insurance has revealed that the number of claims for malicious damage to vehicles skyrocketted, from 87 in 2010 to 328 last year – many of which cases were believed to have been caused by the victims' ex-partner.
“While some damage is suspected to be the result of random attacks, in other instances the vandal was known to the claimant, and relationship breakdowns were often a factor in malicious damage claims,’’ said Hayley Cain, RAA Insurance claims manager. “Maybe an ex-partner who feels aggrieved prefers to strike a ‘soft’ target like a car to avoid personal confrontation.’’
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RAA Insurance data showed that claims for malicious damage included punctured tyres, smashed bodywork, fuel contamination, duco damaged by toxic chemicals, and windscreens smashed with hammer or other hard objects, with vandal attacks averaging almost one a day.
Cain said vandals were liable for the damage they caused and would be sought by insurers to recover costs. The RAA claims manager also provided motorists with tips to reduce the risk of malicious damage. These include the following:
- Always lock doors and turn on any alarms when you leave your vehicle;
- If possible, park your vehicle on your premises in a garage or driveway;
- If you must park on the street, use a well-lit area and avoid dark side streets;
- In public car parks, try to park with space on either side of your vehicle or near CCTV cameras;
- Never leave any items of value on show in your car; and
- If you have a steering lock, use it.
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