Car vandalism news
11/07/2008

Car insurance for women and the rise of female car vandals

Female drivers buying car insurance for women probably never imagine that they may have to use their motor insurance policy to make a claim for vandalism caused by another woman, but new research has highlighted a worrying trend.

Findings of the Direct Line vandalism report revealed 1.5 million women who admitted to deliberately causing damage to a vehicle, thus reinforcing recent media reports of a 50 per cent rise in females aged 11-17 who commit offences such as scratching paintwork, slashing tyres and breaking off car parts.

The majority of female vandals said they acted on the spur of the moment, while eight per cent claimed that peer pressure had influenced their decision to commit a car crime.

Figures showed that 23 per cent of respondents were driven to vandalism by lack of anything better to do, and one in ten said that alcohol had fuelled their actions.

A Direct Line spokesperson said, "The number of motorists who have been victims of car vandalism has risen to nearly a third (30 per cent) of all car owners nationwide, up from one-in-ten (11 per cent) two years ago. The growing trend of 'girl gang' culture does seem to be responsible for a significant percentage of car vandalism crimes."

A spokesperson for CoverGirl, a leading provider of car insurance for women, added, "This is a sad and perplexing issue that could affect all women drivers. Thinking about where you park your car could save you from vandal attack and, if at all possible, we recommend that you park your car off-road or in a garage."