Motorists face a rising risk of key theft in the winter months as opportunist thieves take advantage of the icy conditions, warns key recovery, assistance and insurance specialist Keycare.

Recent reports from the AA have highlighted an increase in car crime as a result of drivers leaving their cars with the engine ticking over in order to get heaters and demisters on and ready for the morning commute,

David Robertson, chief executive of Keycare, said: “When Jack Frost bites it is tempting for car owners to leave vehicles running on the drive to warm up ahead of the morning commute, or school run. 

"But they are unwittingly opening themselves up to the risk that their insurer will not pay out in the event of a theft. 

"Most policies include a duty of care clause, with the expectation that car owners don’t do anything that could avoidably lead to loss or damage, for example leaving the keys in the ignition.”

The average cost of replacing keys, locks and recoding stands at an average of £300.