MMA Blog

3 ways to reduce the risk of auto theft

 

Imagine what it would be like to head to a restaurant or movie some Friday or Saturday night, only to find that the vehicle you drove to get there had disappeared. For thousands of Americans every year, this isn't just a bad dream - it's a living nightmare.

In 2015, more than 707,750 vehicles were reported stolen to local authorities, according to the National Crime Insurance Bureau. That's a 1 percent increase from the previous year, when the total was approximately 689,500.

No one wants to be victimized by crime, particularly the automotive variety, as important possessions are often left behind in a vehicle's interior that can be life-altering if tampered with. What's more, an automobile all alone is one of the biggest purchases people make in their lifetime.

To avoid being targeted, the NICB offers a few basic tips:

Install authentic alarm system
Today, many vehicles come with programs already installed that send out an audible horn honk or squeal when car door locks are tampered with. But because these often turn out to be false alarms - stemming frequently from young children playing with their parents' key fobs - they're not as effective as they used to be, simply because passersby have grown accustomed to them being false positives. The NICB recommends implementing a theft-avoidance system with some teeth. Examples include steering column collars, brake locks, VIN etching and micro dot marking. VIN etching has proven to be an effective countermeasure because a car's vehicle identification number winds up deterring thieves from stealing, once the VIN has been stenciled onto other parts of the vehicle. When parts are stamped with a VIN, they're less valuable on the black market.

Use common sense
It ought to go without saying, but you should always lock the doors and close the windows whenever you're away from your vehicle. This includes when you're at home and the car is in the driveway. Thieves are increasingly brazen and will frequently penetrate a car's interior when cars are parked in owners' own backyards. Additionally, be sure to always remove the keys from the ignition, as this too is something that drivers will forget to do from time to time. This is especially true during winter, when motorists warm up the car before heading to work. In many states, it's illegal to have your car running when it's unattended. Washington and Oregon are among them.

Something as simple as leaving your keys in the car dramatically increases the risk of theft. Something as simple as leaving your keys in the car dramatically increases the risk of theft.

Consider purchasing immobilizing device
A thief doesn't always need a key to make off with a vehicle. Many are well versed in auto mechanics and can "hot-wire" cars they target, bypassing the traditional ignition method by reconfiguring internal circuitry. Fortunately, there are a variety of tools that can prevent thieves from using this stratagem. Among other devices, NICB recommends smart keys, fuse cut-offs, kill switches and fuel pump disablers. These are widely available online or you may want to ask your insurer about devices that it suggests.

Where are car thefts taking place?
No state is immune to automotive-related crimes, but for the past several years, California has seen the most incidences, according to the NICB. For instance, in 2016, Los Angeles was home to more reported car thefts than any other city in the U.S., totaling 60,670, with San Francisco in a distant second at 29,414 overall. On a per-capita basis, five of the country's most prevalent cities for car theft were located in the Golden State. But in the No. 10 position was Billings, Montana. That's the first time the city has ever been among NICB's 10 cities with the highest per-capita theft rates.

This may be due to the massive vehicle theft ring that the Billings Police Department helped stamp out late last year. According to local news reports, at least 115 automobiles were reported stolen in one month's time. Auto theft is up again, however, as at least 250 cars have been absconded with so far this year in Montana's Trailhead, according to local NBC news affiliate KULR.

"Your car is the portable extension of your home - it's where you go when you're on the go," said Brian Daubert, personal lines sales director at MMA Insurance. "You work hard to accumulate the assets you have, which is why at MMA, we work to make sure that in the event of a loss, you have the right protection to replace those assets. Call an agent now for a review of your current protection plan."

Keep Up To Date

Subscribe to our blog for all the latest news, updates, and events from MMA and our partners

Subscribe

Tell us what you need. We’ll take it from there.

Get a Quote


    YesNo











        First, tell us about you:






        EmailPhone


        Next, tell us about your business:





        Now tell us about the coverage or coverages you need:


        Commercial InsuranceEmployee BenefitsHealth InsuranceSuretyOther



        NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a MMA Insurance representative advising that your request has been processed.

        You are ready to submit the form:

          First, tell us about you:






          EmailPhone





          Next, tell us about the coverage or coverages you need:


          AutoHomeIndividual HealthUmbrellaRecreationalWatercraftRenter’s InsuranceLife InsuranceWedding Insurance



          NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a MMA Insurance representative advising that your request has been processed.

          Now you are ready to submit the form:

            First, tell us about you:






            EmailPhone





            Next, tell us about the coverage or coverages you need:


            AutoHomeIndividual HealthUmbrellaRecreationalWatercraftRenter’s InsuranceLife InsuranceWedding Insurance



            NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a MMA Insurance representative advising that your request has been processed.

            Now you are ready to submit the form:

              First, tell us about you:






              EmailPhone


              Next, tell us about your business:





              Now tell us about the coverage or coverages you need:


              Commercial InsuranceEmployee BenefitsHealth InsuranceSuretyOther



              NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a MMA Insurance representative advising that your request has been processed.

              You are ready to submit the form:

                First, tell us about you:






                EmailPhone






                Next, tell us about the coverage or coverages you need:


                AutoHomeIndividual HealthUmbrellaRecreationalWatercraftRenter’s InsuranceLife InsuranceWedding Insurance


                Commercial InsuranceEmployee BenefitsEmployee Health InsuranceSurety



                NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a MMA Insurance representative advising that your request has been processed.

                Now you are ready to submit the form:




                    First, tell us about you:






                    EmailPhone





                    Step 1 of 2Next

                    Next, tell us about the coverage or coverages you need:


                    AutoHomeIndividual HealthUmbrellaRecreational

                     

                    WatercraftRenter’s InsuranceLife InsuranceWedding Insurance



                    NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a MMA Insurance representative advising that your request has been processed.

                    Now you are ready to submit the form:

                      First, tell us about you:






                      EmailPhone


                      Step 1 of 3Next

                      Next, tell us about your business:





                      Step 2 of 3Next

                      Now tell us about the coverage or coverages you need:


                      Commercial InsuranceEmployee BenefitsHealth InsuranceSuretyOther



                      NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a MMA Insurance representative advising that your request has been processed.

                      You are ready to submit the form:

                        First, tell us about you:






                        EmailPhone





                        Step 1 of 2Next



                        NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a MMA Insurance representative advising that your request has been processed.

                        Now you are ready to submit the form:

                          Review Form

                            First, tell us about you:






                            EmailPhone







                            NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a MMA Insurance representative advising that your request has been processed.

                            Now you are ready to submit the form:

                              First, tell us about you:






                              EmailPhone





                              Next, tell us about your claim:






                              NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a MMA Insurance representative advising that your request has been processed.

                              Now you are ready to submit the form:

                                First, tell us about you and your business:







                                EmailPhone


                                Next, tell us about the surety bond you need:







                                NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a MMA Insurance representative advising that your request has been processed.

                                Now you are ready to submit the form:

                                  First, tell us about you:






                                  EmailPhone


                                  Next, tell us about your business:





                                  Now tell us about the coverage or coverages you need:


                                  Commercial InsuranceEmployee BenefitsHealth InsuranceSuretyOther



                                  NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a MMA Insurance representative advising that your request has been processed.

                                  You are ready to submit the form:

                                    First, tell us about you:






                                    EmailPhone





                                    Next, tell us about the coverage or coverages you need:


                                    AutoHomeIndividual HealthUmbrellaRecreationalWatercraftRenter’s InsuranceLife InsuranceWedding Insurance



                                    NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a MMA Insurance representative advising that your request has been processed.

                                    Now you are ready to submit the form:

                                      First, tell us about you:






                                      EmailPhone






                                      Do you have insurance with us already?



                                      Tell us what you need:




                                      NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a MMA Insurance representative advising that your request has been processed.

                                      Now you are ready to submit the form:

                                      cross linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram