Every 26 seconds a motor vehicle is stolen in the United States. According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reports, of all motor vehicles stolen, 73.9% were automobiles. The most popular cars for thieves are; 1996 Honda Accord, 1988 Honda Civic, 2006 Ford PU and 1999 Chevrolet PU.
Your auto insurance may provide coverage in the event your vehicle is stolen, if you have the right coverage. If you bought your insurance on line in15 minutes, you might not have coverage. You will need comprehensive coverage on your policy to cover auto theft. Your liability coverage will protect you if there is third party damage.
How to prevent your car from being stolen
- Never leave your car running while unattended.
- Never leave computers, phones or other valuables inside your car. If you must leave valuables in your car, place them in the trunk where they are not as easily seen.
- Park in well-lit areas.
- Alarms or anti-theft devices work: Thieves are usually looking for the "easiest" target. If your car has an alarm, it could act as a deterrent. But don't make this common mistake: Just because you have an alarm, doesn't mean thieves won't break-in, IF you leave valuable items in plain sight.
- Lock ALL of your vehicle's doors: This is true even if you plan on only being gone for "just a second". Remember, it only takes seconds to steal items from your car. It's not uncommon, for thieves to walk down a row of parked vehicles, looking for unlocked doors. Also, make sure car windows aren't left open.
A stolen car can be a real headache that can have some serious side effects on your future insurance premiums and your lifestyle. Keeping thieves away, helps to keep everyone’s insurance costs down. Doing what you can to prevent an auto theft will not only save you hassle, it will save you money as well. So stay safe--on the roads and in the parking lots as well!