Female insurance customers 'putting valuables at risk'
Loose items in women's cars means it's essential that women have adequate car insurance, it has been revealed.
A new study has revealed that female car insurance customers are putting their policies and possessions at risk by leaving their belongings on display in their vehicles.
According to research put together by Sheilas' Wheels, a group which specialises in offering motor insurance solutions specifically for women drivers, the average female motorist will regularly leave personal belongings at a value of around £129 lying around in their car.
It was found that books were the most popular item that was left behind in female drivers' vehicles at 39 per cent and shoes represented 35 per cent of the belongings that were at risk. Clothes were revealed to be among 27 per cent of the unattended belongings and children's toys and toiletries were the fourth and fifth most likely thing to be left in the car at 25 and 22 per cent respectively.
In a statement accompanying the research it was suggested that it was "not surprising" that women were likely to leave items in their car on a daily basis as an estimated 60 per cent of women said that they see their vehicle "as an extension of their home". It was also noted that 38 per cent of respondents said they were likely to leave at four or more items in their car - with another 18 per cent stating that this number could be seven or more.
Commenting on the study, Sheilas' Wheels spokeswoman Jacky Brown said that it was important for people to understand that no matter what the value of the personal belongings in question, any valuables offer opportunistic thieves a reason to smash a window or break a lock when left on display - adding that this was not the only risk.
"Female motorists seem unaware of the dangers of having personal items loose in the car whilst on the move. They could slip under the brake pedal or, in the event of an accident, become an in-car missile. As a rule a de-cluttered car is definitely a safer car," she said.
Empty drink containers, food packaging, lipstick, deodorant and hairbrushes were listed as the top five most likely items to be left lying around to potentially cause an accident, meaning that women need to ensure they have female car insurance. The study also revealed that over 189,000 women "have been injured in a crash as a result of being hit by a loose object".
According to recent findings from price comparison website uSwitch, the average motor insurance premium in the UK has risen to around £629 - up from £594 during 2007.
