Published: Less than 20 min ago
Insurance companies’ costs for car accidents are increasing and last year exceeded one billion kroner – a new record.
“International leagues run rampant freely in Sweden,” says Ann Hassel Tano, head of investigations at the insurance company If, in a press release.
According to the industry organization Swedish Insurance, last year insurance companies paid out a total of just over one billion kroner in compensation for theft and burglary of motor vehicles.
Despite the fact that thefts of entire cars are decreasing, it is a new record.
Thefts of technologically advanced parts in newer cars have contributed to insurance companies’ high costs. Catalytic converters are particularly prone to theft, and according to If, have increased by over 10,000 percent in four years. They contain precious metals that can be resold at a high price.
“Lack of spare parts”
“After a period of unrest in the world, we have seen that prices have risen for repairs and spare parts. At the same time, we see that there is a shortage of many spare parts, such as catalytic converters. This in itself leads to increased crime,” says Ann Hassel Tano.
According to her, international leagues can largely be blamed for the increased costs, with the support of a report produced by the company.
Sweden attractive
“Sweden has been established as an attractive market for the international criminal networks. They can pretty much run amok and leave the country with stolen goods. 90 percent of all stolen goods leave Sweden and go east. This must be stopped,” says Ann Hassel Tano.
The conclusion in If’s report – The car crime barometer 2023 – is that the border guarding in Sweden needs to be strengthened in order for car break-ins and car thefts to decrease.
“A first step is to criminalize the export of stolen goods and to increase the coordination of border authorities to put an end to this crime. Both the police and customs need more resources and an expanded mandate,” says Hassel Tano.
Facts
The car crime barometer
More than one in four cars – 26 percent – of those called for last year were not found. It was above all more expensive car models that disappeared.
During the year, the costs linked to four car parts, which were particularly vulnerable, increased: headlights, navigation systems, airbags/steering wheels and catalytic converters.
Electric cars are relatively spared from crime. Thefts of entire vehicles as well as spare parts are rare.
Source: Car crime barometer 2023, If
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