M&S Money Urge Drivers To Make Car Security A Priority This Summer 
 
  
 
 
Released on: August 13, 2010, 5:38 am
  Author:  M&S Money 
Industry: Financial  
M&S Money has revealed a new survey that reveals thousands of
  drivers are risking invalidating car insurance claims by failing to
make vehicle security a priority.
The poll* found that more than half (56%) of UK motorists have been victims of car
  crime - 12% of car owners have experienced maliciously damaged paintwork, 8% have
  had a windscreen smashed and 8% of motorists have been victims of theft of personal
  belongings from their car. 
While 60% of car owners have an alarm installed in their vehicle, many risk
  invalidating car insurance claims by failing to activate the alarm when the vehicle
  is unattended. 
The survey found that 40% of Brits do not always use their car's security system. A
  further 12% of motorists never use their security facilities, while nearly half of
  people (43%) admitted to having left their cars unlocked. 
The M&S Car Insurance policy states that when a vehicle is unattended drivers must
  ensure the car is locked, windows are closed, any security system activated and any
  keyless entry systems removed.
In July the 2010 British Car Crime Survey** announced that car crime had dropped by
  17% in comparison to last year. 
Andrew Ferguson, M&S Head of General Insurance, said: "It is good to hear that car
  crime is falling, however it is always important to make sure vehicles are locked
  and secure. During the summer months, many drivers unwind windows and leave roofs
  open - it's important to make sure the vehicle is secure when unattended,
  especially as failure to do so could invalidate any insurance claim.
"If the worst should happen and a car is broken into, M&S Car Insurance can help
  cover the cost of damage and loss of personal belongings. We insure up to £200 for
  theft of personal belongings and up to £500 if these are items are bought from
  M&S."
Notes to editors:
  *Figures from OnePoll. Total sample size was 3000 UK adults aged 17 and over. Of
  those 77% owned a car. Fieldwork was undertaken on 18th -22nd June 2010. The survey
  was carried out online. 
  **2010 British Car Crime Survey http://rds.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs07/bcs25.pdf 
M&S Money (the trading name of Marks & Spencer Financial Services) was founded in
  1985 as the financial services division of Marks and Spencer Group plc, making 2010
  the company's 25th anniversary. 
The company is a top-ten credit card provider and the
  second-largest travel money retailer in the UK. M&S Money also offers a range of
  insurance cover, including family pet insurance, home
  insurance  and
  fully comp car insurance, as well as
  loans, savings and investment products.
In November 2004, Marks & Spencer sold M&S Money to HSBC. HSBC Holdings plc, the
  parent company of the HSBC Group, is headquartered in London. The Group serves
  customers worldwide from around 8,000 offices in 88 countries and territories in
  Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa. With
  assets of US$2,364 billion at 31 December 2009, HSBC is one of the world’s largest
  banking and financial services organisations. HSBC is marketed worldwide as ‘the
  world’s local bank’. 
  M&S Money has an executive committee comprising an equal number of representatives
  from HSBC and Marks & Spencer.
  
For further information please call the M&S Money press office:
  Simon Coughlin
  Media Relations Manager
  M&S Money
  8 Canada Square
  Canary Wharf
  London
  E14 5HQ
  020 7992 1574
  money.marksandspencer.com
               
              
                              
               
  
 
              Back to previous page
                Home page
              Submit your press release