There has been a drastic increase in the theft and hijacking of vehicles over the past 24 months.

This increase in stolen vehicles have been mostly as a result of the theft of a select few vehicles. As a result, many insurance companies have given notice of additional security requirements for theft and hijack cover on certain vehicles.

Background

Motor theft has become a hot topic in the insurance industry recently, with the theft of certain vehicles increasing significantly. The graph below shows the increase in hijackings over the last 10 years, with an increase of 25% in the last year (from Stats SA):

This increase in stolen vehicles has been mostly as a result of the theft of a select few vehicles – for example, our stolen vehicle claims data has shown an increase of 400%, 375% and 127% for Toyota Prados, Toyota Land Cruisers and Toyota Fortuners respectively over the last year.

Criminals and syndicates are embracing technology, changing up their modus operandi, becoming more creative and sophisticated. Their methods include:

• CAN (Controller Area Network) attack – which occurs when the vehicle’s control area network is infiltrated using highly sophisticated electronic equipment to gain entry and access the vehicle’s computer system to start the engine.
• Fob relaying – using receivers and transmitters to remotely read the vehicle’s security key while in the possession of the owner. This allows the criminal to unlock and start the vehicle.
• Combination of forced entry and key cloning – using advanced techniques and equipment to disable the vehicle’s alarm system and cloning its security key.

New tracking device requirement for theft, attempted theft and hijacking cover

Underwriters believe that the best way forward is maximising the tracking device technology available, and for some vehicles, making use of more than one tracking device.

Many underwriters have requested that the client will require an early warning tracking device for the following vehicles registered in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West and Free State:

• Toyota Etios (all models and years)
• Nissan NP200 (all models and years)
• VW Polo (all models and years)
• Isuzu S/C (all models and years)
• Ford Ranger (all models and years)

Given the increased risk, the following vehicles registered in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West and Free State, will require two tracking devices, with at least one being an early warning device:

• Toyota Hilux (all models and years)
• Toyota Fortuner (all models and years)
• Toyota Prado (all models and years)
• Toyota Land Cruiser (all models and years)
• Lexus (2018 onwards)

If the vehicle is not registered in one of the above-mentioned provinces, but it resides and operates mostly in one of these provinces, then the tracking device requirement will apply. This requirement applies to both personal lines and commercial lines products.

We encourage clients to check that their vehicles are fitted with the correct minimum-security requirements based on their current policy and the date that these requirements need to be adhered to.
 

Its important to comply with the terms and conditions of your insurance policy.
 

Please contact us should you have any questions.