Drivers across the country who are planning to carry out their last-minute Christmas shopping over the coming weeks should be cautious about leaving expensive items in their boot.
Research carried out by M&S Bank revealed the average value of products left inside vehicles over the festive period is £263 per shopping trip, making cars an ideal target for criminals.
For this reason, the company has urged motorists to check their car insurance policy before hitting the shops this December.
According to Marks and Spencer, consumers will make two main trips to the shops to collect items this month, with £347 spent on gifts and £179 on food and drink.
Therefore, keeping expensive items such as electricals and GPS devices out of view is advised for individuals carrying out their shopping in the coming weeks.
Neil Rogers, head of insurance and M&S Bank, said: “Unfortunately this time of year does mean the car boot can become a target for opportunistic thieves, so it’s important to make sure you’ve got adequate vehicle content cover for your Christmas shopping.”