With the holiday season in full swing, another thing that is probably full is your car – after a trip to the shopping mall. But unfortunately, not everyone is full of cheer this winter. According to the FBI, nearly 400,000 burglaries occur between November and December. Don’t let a bah-humbug car theft bring down your holiday by allowing your vehicle to be at risk – whether it’s in your driveway or at the mall parking lot – or by letting you be an easy target. Keep yourself – and your purchases – safe this year by following a few simple tips.
- Lock your doors. Yes, this is obvious, but it’s also easy to forget. Your hands are full, your keys are at the bottom of your purse, you think you’ll be in the store for only a minute, you live in a safe neighborhood. But only one little click can save you from becoming a victim. Thieves will often just go from car to car, looking for the one that is unlocked. Don’t let yours be the one.
- Keep valuables tucked out of sight. As our gadgets get smaller, the price tag often gets bigger. Don’t let an expensive GPS or phone be a carrot on a stick for potential thieves. Though a valuable is small, it isn’t invisible. Even spare change left in a cupholder can be attractive to a would-be criminal. Thieves know what they’re looking for and anything left in plain sight – big or small – is tempting. It’s easy, during the hustle and bustle of the season, to just toss your purchases in your back or front seat as you go from store to store. Take just a few extra seconds to lock your electronics and other valuable items in your glove compartment, tuck shopping bags in your trunk or keep them with you.
- Park in a well-lit area. Again, the most obvious tips are the ones we sometimes forget to follow. Keeping your car under a light in the parking lot (even if it’s slightly further away from an entrance) is a simple way to keep you – and your valuables – safe. Thieves are less likely to commit a crime when they are in the spotlight.
- Don’t buy more than you can carry. While it’s tempting to be efficient and carry bags upon bags, it puts you and your gifts at risk. Shop with friends, or ask for help from a store employee. If you’re floundering with bags and packages en route to your car, you might become a target.
- Protect yourself, too. While the theft of your valuables could put a damper on your holiday season, your personal safety is much more important. When you return to your car after a shopping outing, make sure you’re aware of your surroundings. Check around you and check inside your car before getting in.
- Keep up-to-date. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Make sure that your insurance coverage is current and covers all you intend it to. So even if you are the victim of theft or damage, you’ll recover your holiday cheer in no time.
Car theft is devastating at any time during the year but can be especially more so during the holiday season. Scottsdale Auto Insurance reminds you to remember just a few commonsense tips to help ensure a great start to the new year. When a car accident does arise, we recommend Hogle Injury Law as a personal injury lawyer you can call and ask questions to.