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Thick as (Car) Thieves:
Auto Theft, Vandalism, & Your Auto Insurance
Auto thefts
may be on the decline over the past decade, but that's cold comfort when your
car is the one that's targeted. We all pay the price for auto theft— not only
in terms of missing cars, but also in terms of higher auto insurance rates. If
you’ve ever had to file an auto insurance claim because your car was stolen or vandalized,
you know that it doesn’t feel good to become a statistic.
Drivers
everywhere should take a moment to learn about factors influencing car theft
and vandalism and what you can do to safeguard your car. (You may be surprised
to find that some car security systems actually help you save on auto insurance
rates!)
Keep your car secure
If you think thieves only target expensive cars, think
again. In 2006, according to the
National
Insurance Crime Bureau, the top stolen vehicles were: 1995 Honda Civic,
1991 Honda Accord, and the 1989 Toyota Camry.
Follow these tips to make sure that your car
remains secure and undamaged.
- Keep your keys and lock your car– always. Though this seems obvious, many people ignore
it. One out of every 5 stolen cars is taken with the keys in it; half of all
cars stolen are left unlocked. So, don't leave your keys in your car, even that
extra "hidden" set for emergencies and don't leave your car doors
unlocked, even if your car is parked in your driveway
- Make sure your car doesn't run without you. Though it seems convenient, leaving your car
running in front of the dry cleaner or to warm up on a cold day can be just the
moment a thief needs to take it. Never leave your car running unless you're in
the driver's seat.
- Park in well-lit, attended areas. Lights and people will deter most car thieves
and vandals. If you can't find a parking lot with an attendant, choose a place
that prominently displays surveillance cameras and other security features.
- Keep your car's windows and sunroofs completely closed. Don't encourage a thief by providing an obvious
entrance to your car. If you leave your sunroof partially open or the window
down a crack, you've given a thief a helping hand. Even a miniscule opening in
a car window can provide enough room for thieves to work their way in.
- Avoid leaving valuables in your car, especially in visible areas. Don't offer car thieves an extra incentive to
break in. Enticing items can be as innocent as bags or packages in your car or
as expensive as customized equipment. Make sure things like stereo equipment
are theft protected. Keep packages and other items in the trunk if you have to
have them in your car. Even better, leave them at home.
- Use car theft prevention devices. Car alarms, particularly when your car is marked
as being alarmed, help deter theft and vandalism. If a thief gets into your
car, steering wheel locks, protective steering columns, and car-disabling locks
for the ignition, fuel, and other systems make it more difficult for a thief.
Tracking systems, which help the police locate your car if it’s stolen, improve the chances of
auto recovery. (Cars fitted with anti-theft devices are typically eligible for
auto insurance discounts as well.)
See how much you save when you get your online auto insurance quote.
Though certain anti-theft features like tracking
systems can cost you money at the outset, you’ll save on your auto insurance
because of lower auto insurance rates and/or auto insurance discounts for
certain anti-theft equipment. (If your car is a model year that’s factory
equipped with certain anti-theft equipment, we automatically apply an auto
insurance discount in many states.)
If you haven’t already, get your online auto insurance quote from Esurance today.
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