Theft from cars - certain vehicles are in demand

According to data from the Swiss government, two out of three Swiss citizens travel in their own vehicles. However, it happens time and again that the car is broken into or the window smashed - and the new iPhone, the expensive navigation system or other valuables are gone. This happens to one in 200 Swiss drivers every year, according to AXA. Especially during the summer vacations, thefts from vehicles occur more frequently than usual. According to AXA's claims statistics over the last ten years, around a quarter more cars are stripped in the vacation month of July than in an average month. The months of August and October are also significantly above average.

One of the reasons: "In the summer months, Mr. and Mrs. Swiss travel abroad more," says Patrick Villiger, Head of Motor Vehicle Claims at AXA. More than 70 percent of all thefts from cars abroad occur in Italy and France - both popular vacation destinations that are easily accessible by car.

Geneva and Vaud are frontrunners

However, according to the insurer, four out of five cases over the entire year occur in Germany. Here, too, there is a noticeable increase over the vacation months. In percentage terms, insureds from Geneva are the most likely to report items stolen from their cars to AXA - every 67th person is affected each year. The cantons of Vaud, Neuchâtel, Ticino and Basel-Stadt were also above the Swiss average, he said. "We attribute these differences to the proximity of the borders with France and Italy. Residents of said cantons are more likely to travel to these high-risk countries. And conversely, the organized gangs that take stolen goods abroad are also more likely to be in border regions," says Patrick Villiger. The cantons of Appenzell Innerrhoden, Uri and Obwalden have the fewest thefts per number of insured persons. The risk for the population there is around 10 times lower than for those in Geneva.

Suzuki and Subaru majority spared 

What is also striking is that the thieves seem to prefer certain car brands. According to AXA's loss statistics, the risk of theft from cars of the Alfa Romeo, Smart and Land Rover brands is greatest (rate 0.8%). Cars of the Suzuki and Subaru brands, on the other hand, would be spared by the majority (ratio 0.2%). "About the reasons, even we can only speculate," said Patrick Villiger.

7 million francs damage

Last year, AXA recorded around 4,000 thefts from vehicles and reimbursed its customers a total of CHF 7.3 million - an average of around CHF 1,800 per case. According to the insurance company, the extent of the damage was roughly at the same level as before the pandemic, with the number of cases tending to decrease in a long-term comparison, but the average amount of damage increasing. Most of the time, the perpetrators would have targeted valuables, bags and purses. "There should therefore be no valuables in the car - certainly not visible, but also not in the glove compartment or trunk. In addition, you should always lock the car and close the windows - even during short absences. It also helps to park the vehicle in places that are heavily frequented or monitored," recommends Patrick Villiger. The insurance will cover the damage if the stolen items are locked in the vehicle or firmly attached to it. For convertibles, this means that the roof must be closed or that items must be in locked compartments. Theft from a vehicle is insured under both household contents and comprehensive motor vehicle insurance, AXA concludes.