Do Driveway Bollards Reduce Car Insurance?
Security measures can substantially reduce the cost of car insurance premiums, with some reports suggesting driveway bollards can lower insurance costs by 5-15%. To maximise your savings, however, you’ll want to ensure that you choose the right bollards and security posts, and utilise them properly to reduce the risk of theft or vandalism.
Why Do Driveway Bollards Reduce Car Insurance?
Driveway bollards make it more difficult for would-be thieves to steal your vehicle, which is why they can have a positive impact on the cost of car insurance. Many insurance companies offer discounts on premiums accordingly.
Are Car Thefts on the Rise?
The latest statistics show that 129,159 motor vehicles were stolen in England and Wales (2023/24). Despite a slight year-on-year reduction, this marks a notable long-term increase in vehicle-related crime and should encourage car owners to take additional steps to optimise security.
The exploitation of remote locking devices is, perhaps, partly responsible for a continuing increase in car-related crime, with 3 in 5 car break-ins reported to be due to ‘car key hacking’.While it can be notoriously difficult to prevent hackers from gaining access to a vehicle with keyless entry features, physical security measures, such as driveway bollards, will prevent them from removing the vehicle from your driveway.
Additional Resources: Vehicle Theft Statistics UK, Most Stolen Car Models UK
How to Reduce Car Insurance with Driveway Bollards
If you want to increase vehicle security with driveway security posts and bollards, take a look at our top tips to help you reduce the risk of vehicle theft and obtain car insurance discounts:
1. Talk to Your Insurer
If reducing your insurance premiums is a top priority, then talk to your insurer about what type of discount you can obtain via the installation of on-site security measures, such as bollards. While most insurance companies will offer incentives and discounts to security-conscious owners, this varies between companies.
By being proactive and liaising with multiple insurers, you can find out how to get the best deals and enhanced discounts based on your driveway security.
2. Choose the Right Type of Bollards
There are multiple different types of bollards available and popular options include:
The bollards you choose can have a significant impact on convenience and security. An automatic bollard can be controlled by remote, for example, so it will ensure you can drive off and on to your driveway seamlessly, whereas a removable bollard will need to be manually taken out and replaced every time you want to secure a vehicle on your driveway.
Remember – insurance companies may specify what type of bollards should be used to secure discounts, so be sure to check with your insurer before you install on-site security measures.
Additional Resource: Best Bollards for Driveways
Insurance-Approved Bollards
The products below are two examples of insurance-approved bollards:
3. Consider Functionality and Performance
Once you’ve decided which type of bollard is best for your needs, take the time to compare different models to determine which can offer the best level of protection against car theft. Again, you’ll want to make sure that your chosen bollards are ‘insurer-approved’. Requirements can vary from one insurance company to another, so talk to your insurer in advance to find out what type of bollards can attract the best discounts.
In general, heavy-duty, steel and/or anti-ram bollards are considered to be highly effective and tend to offer a high level of impact resistance. However, the gauge, wall thickness and resistance can vary between models, so be sure to compare different solutions or seek advice from our expert team.
4. Opt for Professional Installation
How a security bollard is installed can affect its performance. While some posts can simply be bolted to the ground, these typically offer less resistance in the event of an impact (and some insurers do not recognise them as an ‘insurance-approved bollard’.
In contrast, bollards that are installed into the ground with deep foundations provide better performance and impact resistance. Due to this, insurers are more likely to offer reduced premiums and discounts if you opt for a bollard that is firmly affixed into the ground.
While static or fixed bollards can be installed directly into the ground using concrete, these are not generally suitable for driveways as they can’t be moved to provide access. However, telescopic bollards and removable bollards (or their housing) can also be installed using concrete.
Remember – the exact depth of foundations, precise location, and optimal installation method will depend on the type of bollard you choose and the surrounding environment. Our professional bollard installation service will ensure that your security posts stand the test of time.
5. Testing and Certification
Choosing a driveway security post that has been tested and certified can help to ensure optimal performance and may reduce your insurance premiums even further. For example, our Brushed Stainless Steel Telescopic Bollard is just one of our security posts that’s tested and certified by ‘Sold Secure’, which aims to reduce crime by testing the efficacy of security products.
Insurance companies may rely on independent certification and verification to determine which security products provide access to discounted premiums. If so, you can reduce your costs by making sure that your chosen bollards are certified in accordance with your insurance company’s preferred scheme.
Contact Bison Security Posts
Whether you’re keen to lower the cost of your insurance premiums or you simply want to avoid the hassle and distress associated with car theft, our driveway bollards and security posts can provide the enhanced protection you need. Acting as both a visual deterrent and a physical barrier, bollards can be a highly effective way to prevent thieves from targeting your vehicle or your property.
To find out more or for expert advice on selection and installation, get in touch with our team now on 01708 956833 or send us a message here.