Protect Your Vehicle from Theft
What to know about today’s vehicle thefts—and how they cost you
“Vehicle theft has become a multi-billion-dollar industry in the US, but the victims are not the only ones to pay the price,” says Michael Kelly, insurance agent with AAA in Worthington, Ohio. “About one-fourth of the amount the typical vehicle owner pays for comprehensive auto insurance goes to pay for auto theft claims.”
After exceeding the one million mark in 2022 for the first time in nearly 15 years, total vehicle thefts nationwide have continued to edge upward, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that a motor vehicle is stolen every 31 seconds in the US.
Criminals are employing increasingly sophisticated methods to steal vehicles, including using advanced technology to bypass security systems, according to NICB. Thieves are adept at exploiting vulnerabilities in modern vehicle security measures—employing techniques such as keyless entry hacks and relay attacks on key fobs—with disturbing success rates.
Meanwhile, social media tutorial videos and viral challenges that provide detailed instructions for breaking into certain makes and models have also made it easy for thrill-seeking teens to steal cars.
All of which make it imperative that you carry comprehensive auto insurance coverage on your vehicle. This policy option covers damage resulting from incidents other than collisions. Comprehensive coverage would pay you if your vehicle were to be stolen.
If you’re unsure whether you have comprehensive coverage, check now, Kelly urges. Meanwhile, he offers the following tips to help prevent vehicle theft:
- Never leave your vehicle running with the key in it.
- Always close and lock all your car’s doors and windows.
- Park your vehicle in a garage or well-lit area.
- Park with your front wheels turned sharply to the left or right and apply your emergency brake. Both maneuvers can make it more difficult for thieves to tow your car.
- Consider purchasing an RFID protector case for your key fob. These key cases block the signal to unlock and start the car. If you don’t have one, don’t keep your fob near your home’s front door, which could allow thieves to relay the signal and gain access to your car.
To help keep your auto insurance rates down, Kelly advises you to limit your claims to catastrophic ones.
Your vehicle is an important part of your daily life. You should protect it every way you can.