Fortunately not a lot of my clients deal with car theft on a daily basis but it does happen. Car theft and vandalism is the second most common form of an insurance loss in the insurance industry, first is car accidents. I have attached a few tips on how to avoid car theft so that you can take the correct steps in the future.
Having your car stolen brings on a terrible violated feeling. To most of us our car is second only to our home as a private space. You should know your license plate number and VIN (vehicle identification number). If your vehicle is stolen, report the theft to the police immediately. Secondly, report the theft to your insurance carrier. There are some things that can be done to prevent the theft. If you have ever been the victim of a car theft, you will want to know them and if you are not, maybe they will keep you that way.
-Never leave your car unattended and running to dash into a store or perform some other urgent mission.
-Never leave the key in the ignition or anywhere in the car, in a locked garage or in one of those little hideaway boxes. Car thieves are familiar with all of the hiding places, including the one you think you invented.
-Always roll up all windows and lock all doors even if the car is parked in front of your house or in your own driveway.
-Never leave valuables, gift packages or items in store shopping bags in plain sight, even if the car is locked. Put the items in the trunk out of sight. This is also true for pickup trucks with camper shells. They are amazingly easy to open.
-Always park in brightly illuminated high traffic areas if at all possible. Thieves prefer to work unobserved.
-Install a mechanical device that locks the steering wheel, the steering column or the brakes. These devices can be defeated, but they will deter the less experienced car thieves. If you own one of the frequently stolen vehicle models or a high end easity sold vehicle, consider purchasing a vehicle theft tracking/security system.
-Never leave personal identification documents, vehicle ownership title, or credit cards in your vehicle even when it is locked. You may not detect the loss of some papers until you have already been the victim of some form of identity theft.
-If you live in a high theft area, you should etch the VIN (vehicle identification number) on windows, doors, fenders and trunk lid. A thief will recognize that the car will be difficult to sell even for parts.
-Many newer vehicles have or can be upgraded to have a security system
installed at the factory, with the best systems being those that shut off the fuel supply, preventing the car from being started or driven.
-And one bonus tip, that socket to unlock your custom rims shouldn’t be left in the glovebox, hide it and leave yourself a note in the glovebox on where to find it.
I hope this helps. Let me know if you ever have any other questions. When think about insurance, think about Ekno Insurance Group for all ofyour insurance needs.
www.eknoinsurance.com
