Vehicle repair costs for rodent damage exceed £2,400
Startling research has revealed a 28% rise in average vehicle repair costs for rodent damage.
The data found that claims rose by nearly a third in 2024, with rats and mice responsible for nesting in cars, chewing through wiring and gnawing on seatbelts.
According to Aviva, the average motor claim for rodent damage was £2,494, although in one case repairs exceeded £24,000 and the vehicle had to be written off.
With winter on the doorstep, drivers have been warned to take extra precautions as rodents are more likely to seek shelter in vehicles and garages during colder months.
Expensive damage
RAC Breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: “Many of us are used to seeing the occasional rat or mouse on the street, but finding one in your car is not only a nasty shock but often the cause of very unwelcome and expensive damage.
“Unfortunately, incidents like this are more common than drivers might expect, particularly over the winter months when animals look to take shelter from the cold conditions.
“To reduce the risk of animal damage, check your car if it hasn’t been driven for a week or more. The best advice is to make sure no food, for pets or humans, is left inside.”
