By: Nthabiseng Moloi, MiWay Head of Marketing & Brand
Over the last few years, remote jamming has become an increasingly prevalent form of crime in shopping malls and parking lots across South Africa. Using an inconspicuous hand-held device, thieves can easily block the signal between a vehicle and its remote, leaving motorists none the wiser as they leave their car unlocked and primed for the taking.

Given the abundance of warnings present in most public spaces, the majority of insurers do not provide cover for this form of crime, regarding it as an act of negligence on the part of the driver. Not only can this type of opportunistic theft be prevented by being more vigilant, but itis also one that lends itself more readily to insurance fraud, thanks to the fact that it leaves no visible traces of forced entry.

Whilst many might object to this policy caveat, the problem lies in the ability of the vehicle owner to in fact prove theft, either of the vehicle itself or its contents. Without any visible breakages or signs of tampering, an insurer cannot rule out recklessness as a possible reason for damages, essentially rendering the contract null and void.

So with car jamming on the increase and insurers increasingly wary of claims pertaining to it, the onus is on South Africans to play their part in preventing unnecessary theft. Here are a few easy ways to avoid becoming a victim:

Double Check
The simple fact of the matter is that car jamming can be avoided simply by paying attention. Thieves count on the fact that most of us are pressed for time and tend to leave our vehicles in a rush, relying on our remotes to do the jobs assigned to them.

So next time you’re parking in a public space, make sure to allocate a few extra seconds to confirm that your car is locked before walking away. Once the car is locked, there’s nothing that a remote jammer can do to change that.

Don’t Make Yourself a Target
In many instances, car jammers target vehicles for the goods inside them, rather than for the car itself. So in order to make provisions for potential carelessness, it is important to ensure that you keep your valuables out of plain sight. By minimising the appeal of your car as a target, you will be likelier to avoid becoming a victim of theft.

Install a Tracker System
By installing a car tracking system in your vehicle, you not only make it likelier to be recovered in the event that it is stolen, but you also improve the odds of a successful claim. By reducing your risk status, you put yourself in a stronger position to claim for damages, as insurers are better placed to track your vehicle’s movements and establish proof of your claim.

MiWay is an Authorised Financial Services Provider (Licence no: 33970).