Car jamming is something every South African motorist should be aware of. Through The use of a hand-held device car thieves can block the signal from a car and it’s remote without the motorist knowing. It is an easy way for the car itself or the valuables inside the car to be stolen.
It is unfortunate that most insurers do not offer cover for this type of crime and policies relating to car-jamming differ greatly. For the claim to be successful the insurer will in most cases request proof of car-jamming. This can be challenging unless security footage can be obtained supporting the claim.
It is an industry norm for an insurer to see visible signs of a forced entry into the car before covering valuables stolen from it. This is due to the fact that expensive portable items such as laptops and phones are high risk and the responsibility is on the insured to check their car is locked.
Here is how you can make sure you are not the next victim.
- Better safe than sorry – When leaving your vehicle in a parking spot, always double check to see that the vehicle is locked by testing the doors, this small act can save you in the long run.
- Be Prepared – Make sure you asses all immobilizer and security devices on a regular basis. If there are any faults, contact an authorised service provide to fix or replace the faulty system with a recommended device. Be sure to use additional security like steering wheel locks, gear locks etc. when parked in an area that looks dodgy
- Mind your storage – always store personal items like sunglasses, cell phones and even groceries in a locked boot or glove compartment and not where they are visible. This reduces the temptation to steal.
Car jamming also signals a caution to policy holders to not only take greater when they park their vehicle but also to be mindful of their car insurance terms and conditions when it comes to car-jamming.