The Faraday Fatigue

• Half of motorists (50%) wrongly believe a failed signal blocker still guarantees an insurance payout, leaving them exposed to rejected keyless car theft claims
• Signal blockers now rival traditional steering locks as a security essential against keyless car theft, with retail sales trebling between 2024 and 2025
• With figures suggesting up to 70% of stolen vehicles are keyless models[1], 27% of drivers admit they never test if their signal blocker works, as many see them as ‘buy-once’ items
• Around 1.5 million drivers - more than a quarter of those who own a signal blocker - are unknowingly at risk of relying on worn or untested Faraday pouches that may have exceeded their effective lifespan 
• Tempcover urges drivers to test their security tech regularly to avoid ‘failure to take reasonable care’ rejections during a claim

More than 1.5 million* motorists are at risk of having insurance claims rejected following a keyless car theft due to ‘expired’ Faraday pouches, according to new research by temporary car insurance provider, Tempcover. 

It seems the UK is entering a period of ‘Faraday Fatigue’. With data suggesting up to 70% of vehicle thefts involve keyless models[1], the Faraday pouch has become a ‘go-to’ digital shield. However, the new study of 2,000 drivers reveals these vital security upgrades could become a legal liability. The research found motorists are treating them as ‘buy-once’ products, unaware that the internal metallic mesh degrades through wear and folding, allowing signals to ‘leak’ and leaving vehicles vulnerable to 60-second relay attacks. 

Ticking Timebomb: The ‘Reasonable Care’ Clause 

The data also highlights a ticking legal timebomb for victims of keyless car theft. Half of motorists (50%) wrongly believe that a failed or ‘expired’ Faraday pouch still guarantees an insurance payout. In reality, owners are legally exposed to the ‘failure to take reasonable care’ clause if their vehicle is stolen due to neglected security. 

Jake Lambert, temporary car insurance expert at Tempcover explains: “We are urging motorists to test their Faraday pouches today. While these are effective tools, they are not ‘buy-once’ products. An insurer can consider a claim invalid under the ‘reasonable care’ clause where drivers need to demonstrate they have taken all practical steps to safeguard their vehicle. Relying on a degraded pouch that no longer blocks a signal could be seen as a failure of that duty. This doesn't just leave the vehicle vulnerable; it leaves the owner financially exposed, so it’s important to ensure you’re protected as much as possible before a theft occurs by testing regularly.” 

Pouch Popularity: The ‘Invisible’ Wear 

Faraday pouches now rival traditional steering locks (15%) as popular theft prevention measures, currently used by 13% of drivers. This shift is reflected by the leading UK motoring and service retailer Halfords which saw sales of its ‘Anti-Theft Car Key Signal Blocker’ treble from 2024 to 2025. Yet, the average driver is still using a pouch that is over two years old, with 14% having owned theirs for up to five years. 

Claudia Rennie, Buyer at Halfords added: “Faraday pouches are a tried and tested technique, but they experience degradation driven by wear and tear, not time on shelf. The inner metallic lining - usually a blend of nickel and copper - is what blocks the radio frequency, but it can degrade, crack and rip over time through constant folding. As Tempcover’s data suggests, many drivers are unaware of this 'invisible' wear. That’s why it’s vital to regularly inspect the lining for damage and test it if your key fob unlocks your car while inside the pouch.”

Gone in 60 seconds: Outdated Fears vs. 2026 Reality

DVLA data analysed by Tempcover revealed the scale of the UK’s 2025 theft epidemic, with 148 cars pinched every day - equating to one roughly every 10 minutes. While a quarter of motorists (25%) test their signal blocker monthly, 27% admit to never checking whether it’s successfully blocking their vehicle’s signal, and one in ten (7%) say they only test its effectiveness once or less often than yearly. This risks leaving them completely exposed to the tech-driven reality of 2026, where relay attacks are used to unlock and start a vehicle in under 60 seconds without a single window being broken.

The rise in tech-driven car theft puts a spotlight on outdated fears leading to an awareness gap. A significant proportion of drivers believe thieves rely on ‘Standard Forced Entry’, including smashing windows (16%) and physically stealing the keys from the owner’s pocket/house (25%). 

This misconception is particularly risky for owners of the UK’s most targeted 2025 variants, such as the Toyota C-HR Dynamic HEV CVT and Nissan Juke, which may be targeted by sophisticated technical attacks** including headlight hacking (CAN-bus injection). Without a functional digital defence and regular security tech testing, owners risk leaving their ‘virtual front door’ wide open.

How to Avoid Faraday Failure 

• Test frequently: Every few months, place your key inside the pouch, seal it, and stand next to your car. If the door unlocks, the pouch needs replacing.
• Keep it dry: Moisture compromises conductivity, so keep it dry and never put it in the wash.
• Protect the inner lining: Be careful with sharp objects or loose coins, as they can easily rip the delicate inner conductive lining (nickel/copper).
• Avoid overstuffing: Filling your pouch to the brim can impact its performance and strain the seams. If you have multiple keys, use separate pouches. 
• Park ‘Nose-In’: Continue to park ‘nose-in’ against a wall or garage door where possible. This acts as a physical deterrent against technical attacks like ‘headlight hacking,’ making it significantly harder for thieves to reach the wiring used to bypass security.