Car-jamming – Three ways to keep safe

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According to South Africa’s crime statistics, South Africa has a serious car hijacking problem. It was recently reported that a total of 16 325 cars were carjacked between 2017 and 2018 – a minimal decline from the 16 717 reported car theft incidents in 2016.

Marius Steyn, underwriting manager at Santam recently shared that car-jamming also continues to be an escalating safety concern for many South Africans as long term trends report a 58% increase in car-jacking since 2011.

In a recent Wheels24 article Steyn shares tips on how to avoid falling victim to car-jamming – tips for you and your client:

1. Better safe than sorry
When leaving your parked vehicle, always double check that your vehicle is locked by testing the doors after pressing the immobilizer button.
2. Be prepared
Make sure you assess all immobiliser devices and security systems on a regular basis. If there are any faults, contact an authorised service provider to fix or replace the faulty system with a recommended device.
3. Mind your storage
Always store personal items such as 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.

“The rise in car-jamming incidents also signals a caution to policyholders to not only take greater care when they park but to be mindful of their car insurance conditions when it comes to car-jamming”, Steyn advises.