Boat break-ins rise 20%

Monday, 29 December 2008 01:04

Boat owners are being warned of a 20 per cent rise in insurance break-in claims.

Boat insurer Navigators and General (N&G) claims a rise in burglars targeting boats - in line with a rise in home burglaries - is symptomatic of the worsening economy increasing crime.

And as the economy worsens, the insurer is urging people not to let their insurance policies lapse over the winter months in an effort to reduce expenditure.

James Roberts, head of N&G, said: "With boat theft increasing by a fifth this year, we wanted to warn boat owners to try and minimise temptation to opportunist thieves by removing items from their boat, where possible. 

"We are also advising them to make it obvious that there is nothing on board the vessel by leaving curtains open to show empty cupboards and drawers, and even leaving a note stating that the boat has been stripped out for the winter."

N&G reports the number of uninsured boats rises dramatically during the winter months because the owners believe that the boat is not at risk when it's not in use.

However, winter provides thieves with the opportunity to steal expensive equipment such as outboard motors, dinghies, navigation equipment, and items that can be easily sold on and transported. 

The volume of metal and diesel theft claims has also shown a marked increase. Diesel is increasingly being targeted since the cost of marine diesel increased from 76p/litre to up to £1.50/litre from 1st November 2008.

Thieves tend to target boat storage facilities with easy access, little security, poor lighting, and little CCTV coverage.

N&G is raising the issue of fraud - with the almost three times the number of fraudulent claims this year in comparison to 2007 - as financial pressures lead people to consider illegal options.

Protection tips for the boats laid up during winter

• Remove all expensive equipment such as radios, GPS, navigation and electronic equipment, TV's, CD players etc and store in a safe place to avoid the risk of theft
  
• Leave empty lockers and drawers ajar to ventilate , and to remove temptation from potential thieves
  
• Select yards or storage facilities with good security, lighting and surveillance, ask about theft history
  
• Where possible remove solid metal objects like propellers, tillers or rudders that may tempt metal thieve
  
• Secure or run down internal fuel tanks with easy access, remove portable fuel tanks.

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