Published 10 June 2025
Summer stealing: Are car burglaries more common in summer?
During warmer weather, open windows and car boots full of luggage can present some tempting targets for thieves…
- Thieves target the contents of your car as well as the car itself.
- Satnavs, dashcams, phones and bags are among the most targeted items.
- How can you deter a car thief?
Are thieves eyeing up the contents in your car? At Allianz we’ve noticed a rise in glass claims during the spring and summer months in comparison to the autumn and winter months. These claims often involve glass being chipped, cracked and even smashed, in order to steal the contents of a car.
Is your car vulnerable to theft?
Picture the scene: You’re driving through the picturesque English countryside and stop to take some photos of the scenery. It’s a hot day, so you leave your window down while you take the photographs, because you’ll only be a minute – right? Well, you could come back to find your car has been targeted by a thief. Whenever you stop to take a break, make sure the keys are out of the ignition, the windows are up, and doors are locked! You should also make sure any valuables are out of the car, or at least out of sight.
Pit stop pick pockets
Picture the scene: You've packed your luggage, set up your playlist, and planned the perfect route for your bank holiday road trip – but before you hit the road, you just need to make one last stop for fuel and food.
So, you quickly run inside to pay for petrol and pick some snacks, thinking you'll only be a minute or two… but that's all the time it takes to fall victim to theft.
You've left your car loaded with luggage, your phone on charge and your satnav in plain view – the perfect combination for an opportunistic thief.
Always remember to lock your car and take valuables with you, even if you're just stepping away briefly. If you can't take them, at least hide them from sight in places such as the glovebox and park where you can keep an eye on your car.
Leaving the windows open
Picture the scene: It's a very hot day, and you've arrived at a friend's house for a BBQ and some garden games. To avoid returning to a stuffy hot car, you leave the windows slightly open for ventilation. Your car’s parked on your friend's driveway, so you think it's safe. Plus, the windows are only slightly open, so no one can climb through, and there's nothing valuable inside.
However, "valuables" can mean different things to different people. Even single coins for shopping trolleys, toys on the backseat, or football boots in the front can attract thieves. In some cases, thieves can even unlock your car through a partially open window.
So, even if you're parked in a seemingly safe area such as a private driveway, and don't think there's anything worth stealing, it's best to reconsider. To keep your car cool, find somewhere with shade to park or use a windscreen sunshade.
Why would a thief break into your car?
Thieves will target a car to steal things like:
- Dashcam
- Handbags and wallets
- Wrapped presents
- Tablets
- Sunglasses
- Mobile phone
- Cash, coins, and cards
- Luggage
- Satnav
- Chargers
- Parcels
- Laptops
- Post
Here are some tips to deter and prevent thieves from stealing from your car or its contents:
- Install or set your car alarm.
- Remove everything from your car at night.
- Hide your tech, valuables, cash, cards, or coins if you’re stopping off.
- Park your car where it can be seen.
- Park under a streetlight if it’s dark.
- Don’t leave any luggage in view when your car’s left alone or remove it if possible.
- Kid’s devices – they’re excellent for curing boredom on long journeys, but don’t leave them in the car.
- Always close your windows when you’re not in the car - even if it’s a hot day.
- Never leave keys in the car when you’re not in the car yourself.
- Never leave your car unlocked and unattended – even just for a few seconds.
Does car insurance cover stolen items from your car?
Allianz Car Insurance will cover personal belongings stolen from your car up to the value of £300 and Allianz Silver will cover up to the value of £200, as long as the items were in the boot, glovebox or generally kept out of sight.
There is no cover for personal belongings with Allianz Essentials.
So, before you set off on that long summer drive, make sure you’re clued up on deterring car thieves, and have the right level of car insurance in place – just in case.