UK Keyless Car Theft Risk

As FCA-authorised motor insurance experts who have helped arrange over 800,000 policies, WeCovr is at the forefront of analysing the evolving risks facing UK drivers. This article unpacks the alarming rise of keyless car theft and explains how to ensure your motor insurance provides the robust defence you need.

UK 2025 Shock New Data Reveals Over 1 in 3 Car Thefts Now Involve Keyless Entry Exploits, Fueling a Staggering £4.5 Million+ Lifetime Financial Risk of Vehicle Loss, Skyrocketing Premiums & Eroding Personal Security – Is Your Motor Insurance Policy Geared Up to Defend Against This Modern-Day Heist

The convenience of keyless entry has been one of the most popular automotive innovations of the last decade. Yet, this convenience has come at a terrifying cost. Organised criminal gangs have become ruthlessly efficient at exploiting this technology, turning your driveway into a hunting ground.

Fresh data for 2025 paints a grim picture: a crime that was once niche is now mainstream. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) and the Office for National Statistics (ONS) report that over one-third of all vehicle thefts in the UK now leverage "relay attacks." This silent, swift, and sophisticated method allows thieves to steal your car in under 60 seconds, often without ever touching the original key.

The financial fallout is staggering. It's not just the immediate loss of your vehicle. The true cost, calculated over an average driving lifetime, can exceed £4.5 million for a fleet or business, and tens of thousands for an individual. This includes the value of stolen vehicles, years of inflated insurance premiums, the loss of your No-Claims Bonus, and the uninsurable cost of personal disruption and distress.

In this essential guide, we will dissect the threat, reveal the vehicles most at risk, and explain precisely what you need from your motor insurance policy to protect yourself.

Understanding the Threat: What is a Relay Attack?

A relay attack is a shockingly simple and effective method of electronic theft that targets cars with keyless entry and start systems. It requires no forced entry, no broken glass, and no noisy alarms. It's a digital hijack.

The thieves work in pairs, using two pieces of equipment: a relay amplifier and a transmitter.

Here’s how the heist unfolds in a few simple steps:

1. The Scout: One criminal stands near your house, holding a relay amplifier. This device is designed to scan for and pick up the faint signal constantly being emitted by your car key, even when it's sitting idle on your kitchen counter or hallway table.
2. The Boost: The amplifier captures this weak signal and boosts it, relaying it to a second device—a transmitter—held by an accomplice standing next to your car.
3. The Trick: The transmitter effectively fools your car into thinking the key is right beside it. The car's security system detects what it believes is a legitimate signal from the fob.
4. The Entry & Getaway: The car doors unlock. The accomplice gets in, presses the start button (as the car still believes the key is inside), and quietly drives away. The entire process can take less than a minute.

This method is so effective because it exploits the very feature designed for convenience—the car's constant "listening" for its key.

The 2025 Statistics: A National Vehicle Security Crisis

The numbers for 2024-2025 are a wake-up call for every car owner and fleet manager in the UK. What was once a concern primarily for owners of high-end luxury vehicles has now become a widespread national problem affecting popular family cars, vans, and commercial vehicles.

According to the latest combined data from the ABI, DVLA, and ONS:

• 34% of all stolen vehicles in the UK are now taken using keyless relay attack methods. This is up from just 12% in 2020, highlighting an alarming acceleration.
• Vehicle theft claims paid by insurers in the last year surged to over £680 million, with keyless theft being the primary driver of this increase.
• The average payout for a stolen car claim has now surpassed £12,500, reflecting the higher value of the newer, keyless-enabled models being targeted.

This trend has a direct and painful impact on every driver's wallet.

Source: Analysis based on ABI and ONS trend data.

This data confirms that rising theft rates are a major factor behind the double-digit increases in motor insurance UK premiums we are all experiencing.

Which Vehicles Are Most at Risk in 2025?

While any car with keyless entry is a potential target, criminal gangs focus their efforts on vehicles that offer the best return, either for resale abroad or for being stripped for parts.

Based on police and insurance claim data, the most targeted models include:

• Premium SUVs: Range Rover, Land Rover Discovery, Lexus RX, BMW X5. These are high-value targets, often stolen to order for export markets.
• Popular Family Cars: Ford Fiesta, Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf. Their ubiquity means there is a huge, illicit market for their spare parts.
• Commercial Vans: Ford Transit, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. Often targeted for the valuable tools and equipment stored inside, as well as the vehicle itself.
• Performance Models: Audi S/RS models, Mercedes-AMG, BMW M-Series. These are prized by criminals for their power and status.

If you own one of these vehicles, or a similar model with keyless entry, you are in a high-risk category. Insurers are acutely aware of this, and your premiums will reflect that elevated risk.

Your Motor Insurance Policy: Is It Strong Enough?

In the face of such a sophisticated threat, relying on a basic, off-the-shelf insurance policy is a dangerous gamble. It is crucial to understand what your policy actually covers and where the potential gaps lie.

The Legal Minimum vs. Real-World Protection

First, a vital point: motor insurance is a legal requirement in the UK. Driving without at least Third-Party Only cover is a serious offence, carrying penalties including fines, points on your licence, and even vehicle seizure. However, the legal minimum provides woefully inadequate protection against theft.

Let's break down the main levels of cover:

• Third-Party Only (TPO): This is the most basic cover mandated by law. It only pays for damage you cause to other people's vehicles or property, and for injuries to others. It offers zero cover if your car is stolen.
• Third-Party, Fire & Theft (TPFT): This includes TPO cover, but also protects you if your vehicle is stolen or damaged by fire. This is the minimum level of cover you should consider if theft is a concern.
• Comprehensive: This is the highest level of cover. It includes everything in TPFT, but also covers damage to your own vehicle in an accident, even if it was your fault. For modern vehicles, especially those with keyless entry, a comprehensive policy is strongly recommended.

For business owners, standard car insurance is not sufficient. You require fleet insurance for multiple vehicles or specific business car insurance for single vehicles used for work. These policies are designed to cover the unique risks of commercial operations—including the heightened risk of theft for vans carrying tools and goods.

Key Policy Details You Must Check

A comprehensive policy is the best starting point, but the devil is in the detail. When a car is stolen, these are the clauses that matter most:

• Payout Basis (Market Value vs. Agreed Value):
  • Market Value: Most standard policies pay out the "market value" of your car at the time of the theft. This is what it would cost to buy a like-for-like replacement of the same age and condition. This can often be less than you expect due to depreciation.
  • Agreed Value: Offered by some specialist insurers, this guarantees a fixed payout amount that you and the insurer agree upon when the policy starts. This is highly recommended for classic, modified, or high-value vehicles to prevent disputes.
• Policy Excess: This is the amount you must contribute towards a claim. If your excess is £500 and your stolen car is valued at £10,000, the insurer will pay you £9,500. A high excess can lower your premium, but make sure you can afford to pay it.
• No-Claims Bonus (NCB) / No-Claims Discount (NCD): A theft claim will almost certainly result in the loss of your NCB unless you have paid extra for an optional extra to protect it. Losing five or more years of NCB can increase your future premiums by 60-70% for several years, a significant long-term financial hit.
• Courtesy Car Provision: Check the wording carefully. Many policies only provide a courtesy car if yours is being repaired. After a theft, there is nothing to repair, so you may not be entitled to one unless your policy has specific "theft of vehicle" courtesy car cover. This can leave you without transport for weeks while the claim is processed and settled.
• Personal Belongings Cover: If your car is stolen with items inside (e.g., a laptop, sunglasses, child car seats), there is a limit on how much you can claim for them. This is often a modest £100-£300, far less than the value of the contents.
• Key Cover: Some policies offer cover for the cost of replacing stolen keys as an optional extra. With modern car keys costing hundreds of pounds to replace and reprogramme, this can be a valuable add-on.

As an FCA-authorised broker, WeCovr helps drivers, families, and businesses compare policies from a wide panel of UK insurers, focusing not just on price, but on ensuring these critical cover details meet your specific needs. Finding the best car insurance provider involves looking deeper than the headline price.

How to Protect Your Vehicle: A Multi-Layered Defence

You are not powerless against this threat. While insurers provide the financial safety net, proactive security measures can significantly reduce the chances of you ever needing to make a claim. A multi-layered approach is most effective.

Layer 1: Physical Deterrents

Visible, old-school security is often the best deterrent. Thieves are looking for the easiest, quickest target.

• Steering Wheel Lock: A high-quality, brightly coloured lock (e.g., from brands like Disklok or Stoplock) is a powerful visual deterrent. It tells a thief that your car will take more time and effort to steal.
• Driveway Security Post: A lockable, telescopic bollard installed at the end of your driveway physically blocks the car's exit. This is one of the most effective physical barriers.
• Wheel Clamp: While more cumbersome, a clamp is another strong visual deterrent, particularly for vehicles left parked for extended periods, such as on a second car or a motorhome.

Layer 2: Electronic Security

This layer focuses on disrupting the relay attack itself.

• Faraday Pouch or Box: This is the single most important and affordable defence. A Faraday pouch is a small wallet lined with signal-blocking material. When you are at home, always keep your car keys inside a Faraday pouch or a metal box. This prevents the thieves' amplifier from picking up the key's signal. Test it by putting your key in the pouch and trying to unlock your car from next to it. If it doesn't open, the pouch works.
• Deactivate the Key Fob: Some modern car keys can be "turned off" by pressing a combination of buttons, stopping them from transmitting a signal. Check your vehicle's manual to see if this feature is available. This is a free and highly effective measure.
• Aftermarket Immobiliser: A Thatcham-approved immobiliser that requires a separate tag or code to be present before the engine can start adds another layer of electronic security that a relay attack cannot bypass.
• Vehicle Tracker: A GPS tracker won't prevent the theft, but it massively increases the chances of the police recovering your vehicle. Many insurers offer significant discounts for Thatcham-approved trackers.

Layer 3: Situational Awareness

• Parking Strategy: Whenever possible, park in a locked garage. If you park on a driveway, park defensively (e.g., close to a wall or another vehicle). In public, choose well-lit, busy car parks, preferably with the "Park Mark" award for security.
• Be Vigilant: Be aware of anyone loitering near your home or vehicle, especially if they are holding unusual electronic devices. Report any suspicious activity to the police.

What to Do if Your Keyless Car is Stolen: A 5-Step Action Plan

Discovering your car has vanished is a deeply upsetting experience. Acting quickly and methodically is vital.

1. Call the Police Immediately: Dial 999. Report the vehicle as stolen. You will need the make, model, colour, and registration number. Crucially, get a Crime Reference Number (CRN). Your insurer will not process your claim without it.
2. Contact Your Insurance Provider: Call their 24-hour claims line as soon as you have the CRN. The sooner you inform them, the sooner they can start the claims process. Be ready to provide all the details of the incident.
3. Inform the DVLA: You must tell the DVLA your vehicle has been stolen. You can be fined £1,000 if you don't. You will need to complete section 6 of your V5C logbook ("Notification of sale or transfer to the motor trade, insurer or dismantler") and send it to the DVLA, noting the insurer's details.
4. Contact Your Finance/Lease Company: If the car is on finance or leased, you must inform the company immediately. They are the legal owner of the vehicle and will need to liaise with your insurer regarding any settlement.
5. Gather Your Documents: Your insurer will require documents like the V5C logbook, any service history, and proof of purchase to process the claim and establish the vehicle's value. Having these ready will speed up the process.

The claims process can take several weeks. Insurers will often wait a period (e.g., 28 days) to see if the vehicle is recovered before settling the claim. This is where having adequate courtesy car cover proves its worth.

How WeCovr Secures Your Peace of Mind

Navigating the complexities of the motor insurance UK market has never been more challenging. With risks evolving and premiums rising, having an expert on your side is invaluable. WeCovr acts as your trusted partner, providing clear, independent advice to help you find the best vehicle cover for your needs.

• Expertise Across the Board: We specialise in everything from private car and motorcycle insurance to complex commercial van and fleet insurance policies. We understand the unique risks faced by businesses and individuals alike.
• A Focus on Quality Cover: We go beyond price. Our goal is to ensure your motor policy has the right features—like robust courtesy car cover, fair excess levels, and appropriate payout terms—to protect you when you need it most.
• Access to a Wide Panel of Insurers: We compare policies from a vast range of UK insurers, including specialist providers who offer enhanced security discounts and agreed value policies.
• High Customer Satisfaction: Our clients consistently rate us highly for our professional, no-fuss service. We make finding the right cover simple and stress-free, at no extra cost to you.
• Exclusive Discounts: When you purchase motor or life insurance through WeCovr, you can often benefit from discounts on other insurance products, providing even greater value.

Don't wait until it's too late. Let us help you review your cover and ensure it's geared up to defend against the modern-day heist.

Don't leave your financial security to chance. Get a fast, free, no-obligation motor insurance quote from the experts at WeCovr today and drive with confidence.