Stark warnings from BIBA on how defrosting your car this winter could turn nasty.
When the weather catches you untoward and you wake to find your car covered in thick frost, often it can seem easiest to simply leave your car running outside while you rush about getting ready for work. However, BIBA (the British Insurance Brokers’ Association) have this week issued a fresh warning about the hazards of this seeming hassle free way of defrosting your car.
For starters if someone decided to take the initiative and steal your car (unattended car + keys in the ignition is apparently too tempting for some) it’s unlikely that you’ll be covered by your insurance policy.
As the incidence of these so called ‘frosting’ thefts have increased exponentially in recent times with over 100,000 ‘de-icing’ car thefts reported in the last 5 years, the vast majority of car insurance companies have added an exclusion clause that means they’re entirely within their right not to pay out for this type of claim. Check your policy wording for exclusion clauses such as ‘keys left in the ignition’, ‘unattended vehicle’ and ‘policyholder recklessness’, in all likelihood it’s likely to be there.
The AA recommends that the best way to defrost your car is by using an old fashioned scraper and de-icer spray. Hot or even warm water over the windscreen is a definite no, no however a 50/50 mix of lukewarm water and white vinegar mixed in a bottle and sprayed on liberally is said to do a good job.
Leaving your car running with the heating turned up high can also help (although it isn’t particularly petrol or environmentally efficient) however, it’s only ever worth taking this defrosting shortcut when you are with your car.
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