Say yes to cheaper van, home and car insurance

The number of satellite navigation systems (SatNav) sold separately is exceeding the amount received built-in to vehicles, according to a market analyst.

Car insurance customers may be interested to know that ten million handheld devices were bought across Europe last year and, despite recent police warnings regarding thefts, Frost & Sullivan predicts the number will increase to 30 million units by 2012.

Sales of the mapping machines have caused car industry suppliers to enter the market in order to compete with the established leaders, said the expert.

However, despite the indications to the contrary, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders suggests the higher quality of the built-in devices will ensure their popularity in the future.

"Built-in solutions are faster, can be linked easily into vehicle systems and do not require a mess of wires," a spokesman told AutoExpress.

Meanwhile, police in Sheffield have announced the success of Operation Hustle, cutting car crime offences from 256 to 126 from mid-October to December, reports the Yorkshire Post.

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