Three Cars Vandalised A Day

[Falchoon]

from the Canberra Times

Three cars vandalised a day

By Ben Doherty

Thursday, 8 January 2004

Three instances of car vandalism are reported to ACT police each day and insurance claims for vandalism against cars in the ACT have increased by more than 33per cent in the past year.

According to the ACT's largest insurer, NRMA, the number of insurance claims resulting from malicious damage to cars rose to 2000 last calendar year - an increase of more than one-third on 2002 figures.

Police data indicates a rise in reported instances of car vandalism of 17per cent.

Head of Products and Underwriting at NRMA Graeme Adams said coupled with the increase in the number of insurance claims was a 13per cent increase in the average cost of claims.

The figures are most probably even higher, with the NRMA figures based on claims data only.

Many acts of vandalism against cars go unreported because the cost to repair the vehicle is lower than the insurance excess.

Many insurance companies, NRMA included, have recently sought to protect customers by not penalising the rating of those who make claims for which they were not at fault, perhaps contributing to an increase in claims this year.

Most commonly cars had windows smashed or panels dented and scratched.

Often CD players and other internal items were stolen. However, some cars were completely destroyed, ransacked and then torched.

Police Minister Bill Wood called yesterday on the community to help fight the car vandalism outbreak.

"Malicious damage and vandalism to motor vehicles is a community problem, not strictly a police problem, or a juvenile crime problem, or an insurance problem. It affects everyone. I believe someone in the community knows something about these attacks, but has not come forward."

ACT state manager for AAMI Insurance John Crommie said the recent outbreak of vandalism had not led his company to consider increasing premiums.

"But while it is not something we're looking at at present, that is certainly the natural progression of things long-term," he said.

"If there was to be a sustained and significant increase in the number of acts of vandalism committed in Canberra, insurance companies would have to consider raising premiums."

However, ACT motorists may already be paying for the acts of vandalism, based on the suburb in which they live.

Premiums fluctuate dramatically from postcode to postcode, with some motorists paying $100 more for identical comprehensive car insurance than neighbours who live only a short drive away.

Heather Reid, from the Insurance Council of Australia, said the suburb in which a car was parked or garaged was one of the factors insurance companies considered when assessing policy-holders' premiums.

Other factors included age and driving record of the car's owner, type and value of the vehicle being insured, and whether the vehicle was for private or commercial use.

[tongueboy]

.....should be flucked and burnt the plicks.

[ms700]

The thing is, you report the break in/vandalism to the police, and they dont have enough evidence to convict the little b@stards!

[Falchoon]

Or if they do the courts let them off with a fine and they are bac kthe next day doing it again.

[ducatijb]

3 a day in Canberra,3 an hour in Bankstown :banghead:

Time to get the testicle clamp out again

[Marcos]

A good mate of mine caught someone breaking into his last year,.......needless to say, he dealt with the person himself............ :banghead:

[Cro]

3 a day in Canberra,3 an hour in Bankstown :banghead:

Time to get the testicle clamp out again

Yeh, I see it all the time...

[hambo_12]

Why is Canberra so bad? I dont feel safe anymore I goin to the summernats and now worried that some b@stard will break into my ute!!

[ms700]

Why is Canberra so bad? I dont feel safe anymore I goin to the summernats and now worried that some b@stard will break into my ute!!

Unfortunately it may happen, especially at Summernats. They will watch you park, follow you into EPIC to make sure that you are going to Summernats, and then they know they have a few hours to "go over" your car.

Be afraid, be very afraid. :banghead: :( :(

[KrasH]

Well, simple story really. On one of the main arterial roads in Canberra (forgot the street name), there was this old blue bomb. It was obviously broken down or something. Drove past one day, the car was in good nick. Pas by the next day, rear window smashed. Drive passed 3rd day, all windows smashed. Drive past 4th day all wheels gone.. haven't been past for a while, but wouldn't be surpised if it got torched.