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As summer approaches, you are probably thinking about vacations and spending time with your families at the pool or in the park. You probably aren’t thinking about the possibility that your car may be stolen while you are enjoying fun activities.
But it could happen. A motor vehicle is stolen in the United States every 44 seconds, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
In Colorado, 11,305 vehicle thefts were reported in 2013 – a 3 percent increase from 2012. About half of those thefts were the result of “driver error,” such as leaving the keys in the ignition or the car running, according to Coloradans Against Auto Theft.
The staggering statistics continue. According to a 2014 Talmey-Drake poll, 50 percent of Coloradans said they know someone who has had a car stolen and 35 percent of Coloradans admitted they left their car running while it was unattended.
The March 12 police chase that involved three stolen cars across the Denver metro area highlighted how drivers can easily become victims. It started with an unattended vehicle that was left running at a gas station with a child inside. That vehicle was stolen and later abandoned as the culprit went on to carjack two other vehicles from passing motorists.
We don’t want anything like that to happen to you, so here are some safety procedures to keep in mind:
1) Never leave you car unattended with the engine running. In fact, it’s illegal to do that in Colorado.
2) Always lock your car.
3) Make sure to be aware of your surroundings every time you get in and out of your car.
4) Remove your keys from the ignition and the interior of your vehicle. That includes any spare keys you might have in the glove box.
5) Remove your valuables and identification from your vehicle when it is unoccupied. Or at the very least, remove valuables from plain sight. How many times have you heard about cars being broken into for purses and other valuables while the owner is at the movies or gym?
6) Keep you car locked while driving to reduce your risk of a carjacking.
7) If you are in an accident, stay in your locked car. Assess the situation before getting out. As we learned in the March incident, your car could be stolen when you get out to deal with what you thought was an accident.
Insurance Advisors are here to help you. Please give us a call if you have any questions regarding your coverage or if you need assistance. We can be reached at 720-210-9898.
Next month: What to do if your car is stolen.
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