7 things you should know about auto theft
Did you know that there are some things that you can do to reduce the likelihood of having your car and its contents stolen? Would you know how to react in the event of auto theft? Do you need to make a car insurance claim when only the contents of your vehicle have been stolen? Here are some tips from La Capitale’s blog.
1. It only takes a few seconds for a thief to make off with your car or its contents
To reduce the risks, take the following precautions anytime you’re going to be away from your car, even for a short period of time:- Turn your engine off
- Lock the doors
- Make sure all the windows are closed
2. Theft is less likely to occur in a parking lot that is well lit and monitored
3. Hide any items you have to leave in your car!
To avoid attracting thieves, don’t leave anything in plain sight. Place any valuable items in the trunk, under a seat or in the glove compartment.4. Don’t let thieves get their hands on your keys
Remember: Most thieves are very observant. Don’t make things easy for them!- Don’t put your name and address on your key chain.
- If you normally hide a spare key, do not have it in or anywhere near your vehicle. Thieves are all too familiar with the usual hiding spots.
5. Certain models of vehicles are stolen more often than others
It’s better to check and see if yours is one of them, by going to the Infoinsurance site or asking your insurer. If your vehicle is more at risk of being stolen, it would be a good idea to have a tracking system installed to deter thieves. That’s the best way to find your vehicle if it is stolen.6. Items inside your vehicle are covered by your home insurance: not by your auto insurance
Therefore, if you want your property to be covered, you need to have home insurance in force at the time of the theft. If you have items stolen from your car, here’s what you need to do:- Call the police and ask for the report number
- If the vehicle has been damaged, call your auto insurer right away
- Call your home insurer to report the theft of your property
7. If your vehicle is stolen, react quickly to increase the likelihood of its being found
In such a situation, here’s what you should do, as soon as possible:- If your vehicle is equipped with a tracking system, contact the service provider.
- Call the police and ask for the report number
- Call your auto insurer to report the theft of your vehicle