There is nothing more devastating than walking to a parking lot, and you can’t find your parked car anywhere! This is everyone’s worst nightmare, and later, learned that the car has no coverage against theft!
The Good and Bad News
Let’s start with the bad news. According to the FBI, one car is stolen every 40 seconds in 2009. This rate is extremely high, considering that there are millions of car owners in the United States. This would translate to 260 stolen cars in a 100,000 population. The good news is that auto theft is declining. In 2006, two cars are stolen every minute, which translates up to 315 cars for every 100,000 population. Since then, it’s been slowly declining, and we could only hope that this number would continue to get better each year. Carjacking is still present, but has been declining as well, accounting to just 3 percent of all recorded car thefts, which usually happens in urban areas.
The bad news is that the likelihood of recovering stolen vehicles is only at 12.4 percent, which is considered very low. This tells us that coverage protection against theft is as important as the minimum liability coverage required by the state. Otherwise, if you only have the latter, you end up getting nothing.
According to the latest report published by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), car thieves are active in both southern and western states. On top of our list is the city of Laredo, Texas followed by four Californian communities: Bakersfield, Fresno, Stockton and Modesto. It’s also rampant in Las Vegas, Albuquerque, San Francisco Bay Area, Yakima, Washington, Visalia-Porterville, California and New Mexico.
Car thieves do not always target the latest car models. Surprisingly, they have become interested to those vehicles used, and popularized by celebrities. Hardcore carnappers also target those models that are less in circulation or parts no longer accessible. Cars manufactured between 1983 and 1997 are the usual targets, along with selected Honda’s models. Young carnappers still target the expensive and classy cars for their fame, and glamour.
How to Protect Yourself
If you are not sure, read your insurance coverage if it already includes theft coverage. If you live in a high-risk area, it’s imperative that you have this protection above anything else. If you are a proud owner of a new car, the more you need to have one. Your car is a shining jewel, and more thieves will become interested to steal it. Comprehensive auto coverage is the best bet, plus gap insurance that will cover the car’s full value. Talk to your insurance agent about gap insurance.
Although your car could be carrying the most sophisticated anti-theft devices, but it pays to use your common sense when parking your car. Don’t park on dark alleys or leave your car unattended for a long time on the streets. Don’t leave any valuables for every single passerby to see; keep them in the trunk. Don’t forget to check if the vehicle is properly locked and keys secured.
