Insurance for these luxury SUVs has shot through the roof, with many paying upwards of £2,500, and some being quoted figures as high as £38,000 on their annual insurance. That is, if they’re able to get cover at all; a lot of insurers are refusing to cover Range Rovers completely. If you’re one of the many Range Rover owners affected by this, all hope is not lost; we explore why this is happening and how you can find a more palatable deal.
Range Rover thefts are mostly to blame for the increase in premiums
The Range Rover is the second most stolen vehicle in the UK. This is only behind the Ford Fiesta, which is likely only top because the Fiesta was previously the most popular vehicle on British roads for several years in a row. This means there are a proportionally higher number of Fiestas for thieves to choose from.
This paints a more concerning picture for Range Rovers; just over 400,000 Range Rovers are registered in Great Britain compared to 1.5 million Ford Fiestas. Research based on DVLA data shows that one in 100 Range Rovers are stolen, and this figure increases to two in 100 for the model most targeted by thieves: the Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic HSE D180 A.
Couple this with the fact that buying a new Range Rover is expensive and tends to cost from £34,000 to more than £170,000, and that it’s up to the insurance company to pay out the vehicle’s market value (i.e. its value at the time it was stolen) in the event it gets snatched, and you’ve got the perfect storm for many insurers hiking up prices or refusing cover entirely.
Gerry Bucke, general manager of Adrian Flux, commented: “The stats make for grim reading for anybody looking to insure a Range Rover or get one covered. But the picture should start to improve, especially as the number of thefts hopefully begin to decrease.”
Thefts are more common in larger cities
Higher premiums are particularly common for Range Rover owners who live in some of the UK’s biggest cities. The majority of thefts have occurred in London, causing many insurers to refuse cover to owners in the capital. It’s a similar picture for those in Liverpool and Manchester.
That being said, if you live outside of a major city, you’re still likely to be affected by higher insurance premiums; drivers across the country are reporting an increase in premiums despite living in relatively rural areas.
There are other, more general, factors at play for why insurance premiums are high right now too – read our blog on why car insurance has gone up to find out more.
Keyless car technology used in Range Rovers makes vehicles vulnerable
Most Range Rovers use keyless car technology, which has made them more vulnerable to keyless thefts, also known as relay thefts. It’s thought that organised crime gangs are using these tech vulnerabilities to steal vehicles that they can then sell locally or overseas.
So how does relay car theft work? Essentially, two thieves work together with separate devices to exploit this vulnerability in keyless technology.
The first thief stands close to the car and uses their device to relay the received signal to the second thief, who stands close to the house with a separate device and relays the signal from the first thief to the key stored in the house. This tricks the key into thinking the vehicle is close by, which then unlocks the Range Rover. The thieves then trigger another relay signal to start the car.
How to reduce the cost of your Range Rover insurance
If you’re struggling to get an insurance policy for your Range Rover at a reasonable price (or at all), we recommend speaking with a specialist insurance broker like us and layering security in your car and around your property.
1. Speak to a specialist insurance broker
As the vehicles are now considered high risk to most insurance companies, it’s a good idea to speak with a specialist broker like us as we specialise in providing quotes for high risk situations. We’re available over the phone, allowing you to speak directly to a human who can advise you on how to get the best rate. We can also offer additional security tips that help to reduce your premium.
Gerry added: “Talking to a human on the phone gives you the chance to understand the bigger picture around the current prices, discuss the options that are available to you and to find the most affordable, and appropriate, cover for your needs.
“Comparison websites will just provide a ‘computer says no’ response which is far from helpful. So for any Range Rover driver who is stuck in what feels like an uninsurable position, or anyone else who is struggling to find affordable cover given the market, there’s no better time to pick up the phone and speak to a specialist broker.
“We can still quote for nearly all situations as a result of being a broker and having access to a wide range of insurers.”
Call us on 0800 369 8590 to speak with us about your situation.
2. Consider installing a more robust car alarm
To further prevent break ins and thefts, we’re advising Range Rover owners to install robust security on top of the existing security they have. Using security measures like a Thatcham-approved alarm will help prevent your vehicle from being stolen.
On this, Gerry comments: “To make our rates even more competitive we are asking for additional security to be fitted on top of whatever the owner of the vehicle already has to decrease the risk of it being stolen.”
Where possible, it’s best to speak directly with us about which security features to install as some are more effective than others, and some will help reduce your premium better than others.
3. Invest in an insurance-approved tracker
It’s a good idea to get an insurance-approved tracker fitted to help reduce your premium. In the worst case scenario that your vehicle is stolen, these devices can be used to track and recover your SUV, which reduces the risks involved with insuring them.
Some are more effective than others and, although thieves are unlikely to take this step, many tracker signals can be jammed or the device can be removed from the vehicle if visible.
Two devices we usually recommend using together are the Tracker Retrieve Battery Powered and the Tracker Network Nano Assist made by the same company.
The type of tracker you should install depends on a number of factors, so it’s best to speak with us directly to get a better idea about which one you should get.
4. Install in-car security like steering wheel locks and pedal box locks
As a further theft-prevention measure, it’s a good idea to install in-car security. Adding these features to your car makes it more difficult for a thief to drive off with your vehicle even if they manage to break into your SUV. Such measures could also help deter thieves if the security features are visible from outside your vehicle.
Steering wheel locks and pedal boxes are both good options. Although they can take a few minutes to lock and unlock each time you go for a drive, they’re well worth it if you’re worried about your vehicle getting stolen.
5. Add a lock to one of your Range Rover wheels
On top of the security measures outlined above, consider adding a wheel lock to your Range Rover when it’s not in use. Adding extra layers of security – especially those that are visible to potential thieves – helps prevent break-ins or thefts. Often, thieves are deterred if they feel the time it would take to unlock all the security measures would slow them down and risk them getting caught.
6. Get a Ghost immobiliser
Another layer of security you can add is a Ghost immobiliser. These are installed on the inside of the vehicle to avoid detection and prevent thieves from disabling them. Although they are discreet and therefore won’t deter thieves, they can help prevent someone from getting away with your luxury SUV.
Essentially, you set your own unique PIN using the buttons on your dash and steering wheel, as well as your vehicle’s pedals. Your car won’t budge without the correct code being entered.
It’s important to note that, as we’re dealing with professional thieves, you should be cautious when you enter your PIN before you drive. When getting into your vehicle, keep an eye on your surroundings for anyone who appears to be keeping a lookout on the area.
7. Get a faraday pouch or signal blocking box to store your keys
It’s a good idea to invest in a faraday pouch to store your keys when they’re in your pocket or bag. These are made from metal-lined material to block the signal thieves use to break into your vehicle.
When storing your keys at home, a signal blocking box works in the same way. You can often get faraday pouches and a signal blocking box as a set, which tend to set you back around £20 to £25 – a small price to pay to prevent your car from getting stolen. Don’t forget to store any spare keys you have in the box too.
8. Switch off your fob if possible
Some fobs can be switched off entirely when not in use, or they automatically turn off after a certain amount of time elapses where the device isn’t in use. When a fob is off, it stops emitting a signal, which completely incapacitates the relay method.
Of course, technology moves quickly these days, so even if your fob does turn off, we would still recommend storing them in a faraday pouch or signal blocking box as an extra line of defence.
9. Store your vehicle in a garage or on the driveway if possible
It’s common for insurance companies to ask where your vehicle is stored. This is because parking on the driveway – or better yet, in a garage – reduces the risk of your car getting stolen compared to parking it on the road.
This isn’t always possible, but if you have access to a garage – especially one that can be locked – it’s a good idea to store your Range Rover here. Essentially, any security measure that will keep your vehicle out of sight and slow thieves down will work wonders in keeping your SUV safe.
10. Consider adding security around your home if you park your vehicle on a driveway or garage
There are other aspects of security that you should consider if you park your vehicle in your garage or on the driveway. For instance, a motion-detecting video doorbell can alert you to any movement around where they are installed, such as around your front door. Even if you’re not at home, you should get an alert on your phone when the doorbell detects movement. This can help you act faster and ultimately increases the chances that you can recover your vehicle.
CCTV is another option – and could act as a deterrent against thieves in itself. If you decide to install a video doorbell, cameras – with clear signage – could be placed around the rest of your property. Not only could this prevent Range Rover thefts, but it could also help police identify the thieves if they do attempt to steal your vehicle.
Pair a smart doorbell and/or security cameras with motion-activated lights and this could be even more effective.
Speak to Adrian Flux directly about Range Rover insurance
We understand that the current situation is frustrating for Range Rover owners, which is why we advise you to contact us directly. We specialise in providing cover to those who are considered “high risk”, and are often able to get you cover where other providers cannot.
By speaking to us directly, we get to know your individual circumstances and take all this into account instead of giving you a “computer says no” answer. Our tailored approach allows you to choose the insurance features that are important to you while balancing this with your budget.
Call us directly on 0800 369 8590 to speak to a human about your Range Rover insurance or book a callback to speak with us at a time that suits you.
