A photograph taken on a street in London captures a Land Rover Defender, which can be valued at up to £100,000, chained to a tree to prevent theft.
One observer remarked, “Imagine paying £100k for a motor and having to lash it to a tree like a cheap bike. Madness.”
Insurance premiums for new Land Rovers and Range Rovers have surged. In May alone, 25 of these vehicles were stolen in Cambridgeshire, according to local police reports.
One Range Rover owner was quoted £10,000 for insurance.
Former Top Gear host and The Sun columnist Jeremy Clarkson commented on the thefts: “This sent insurance companies into a tizzy and now getting cover is both expensive and tricky.”
Some drivers in London have found it difficult to secure insurance for their cars, prompting Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) to establish its own insurance division to offer policies.
Patrick McGillycuddy, managing director of Jaguar Land Rover UK, stated: “We are constantly developing our systems and security features and through our close collaboration with police, we stay ahead of any emerging methods and quickly deploy anti-theft measures. This additional investment, coupled with our other ongoing and proactive action, shows our commitment to supporting the authorities in having a tangible impact on combating this issue in the UK.”
JLR is collaborating with police to share information, recover stolen vehicles, and train 650 officers, while also enhancing the security of its vehicles.
Insurance costs for Range Rover owners are increasing significantly. Meryl Cabellos told BBC News that his insurance costs rose from £2,000 to £4,000 last year, with the best quote this year reaching £10,000.
The Sun Online has reached out to Land Rover for additional comments.
Car insurance prices have been rising generally, not just for Land Rovers and Range Rovers. Research from Confused.com in January indicated that motorists paid 58 percent more for insurance in 2023 compared to the previous year, marking the seventh consecutive increase.
The data showed that the average car insurance price in the UK is now nearing £1,000, with an average increase of £366 over the past year, bringing the average cost to £995 – the highest on record in the UK.
In other news, a car dealer purchased a £950 Land Rover that could be resold for five times that price. Additionally, a retrofitted Land Rover with a full EV conversion by engineering firm Bedeo has been launched, preserving the classic heritage of the Land Rover Defender 110.
An iconic Land Rover, previously owned by Brooklyn Beckham, has been listed on eBay for £46,000, featuring a £500 luxury sound system. Both Brooklyn Beckham and his father, Three Lions legend David Beckham, have been seen driving the vehicle over the years.