What is even worse than having your car stolen? Finding out that your Texas car insurance policy doesn't fully cover the expenses associated with replacing your car. Car theft occurs twice every minute in the United States - a total loss of $6.4 billion in 2010. It is important to think about auto theft and check up on your coverage.
To help you avoid the pain of auto theft not just once - in the initial theft - but twice - when you have an insurance problem - the Council of Better Business Bureaus and the Insurance Information Institute have teamed up with a program called Wiser Drivers Wise Up to address both vehicle theft prevention and what to do if your car is stolen or in an accident. Here are their top tips:
1. Get extra protection
Manufacturer-installed vehicle theft protection is sometimes not enough to protect you from auto theft. Skilled and resolute thieves know how to render inoperative these systems. Aftermarket vehicle anti-theft systems are more complicated and are worth paying a professional to install. They have much better chance of deterring theft. Texas auto insurance companies also may give discounts on policies for those who have taken extra steps to ensure that their car is safe from thieves.
2. Don't assume anything about your cars worth to thieves
Don't think your old clunker is safer than a shiny new model, or that a luxury sedan is more attractive to thieves than a less expensive model. Older vehicles are usually stolen for their parts, which are no longer being manufactured; newer cars are stolen for their popularity. In recent years, cars that have been glamorized in pop culture, like the Cadillac Escalade , have put it on many "most stolen" lists.
The most stolen car of the past 5 years are mid-90s Honda models. Statistics report that 8 of the 10 most stolen cars were made in 2000 or earlier. A big reason for this is because older cars have rare parts. And rare part makes more money for thieves and chop shops - where they sell them for high profits. Part of this has to do with the locks and keys. These type of older Honda models have similar ignitions, making them easy to access if you have the right key or one that's been made to fit.
Auto insurance companies know these statistics and take them into account when writing your policy. If you drive a often stolen vehicle, consider a new car or make sure that you are adding safety features to avoid paying more on your Texas auto insurance.
3. Double check your current insurance policy
Most people assume that their Texas auto insurance includes theft coverage. It is worth double check your policy often to make sure you are covered; only some policies cover theft and the smart move is to have a comprehensive policy that will keep you covered in a variety of scenarios. By taking a close look at your policy and seeing if you are covered you can find out if you are covered for a replacement rental car if your car is stolen, and if there's a waiting period before you're allowed to rent a car. A lot of people looking to save money don't elect the rental car coverage, but it costs only a few dollars a month. A year's worth of replacement rental coverage usually costs less than renting a car for a day or two, very reasonable in perspective.
Include a roadside assistance plan in your coverage. Your Texas insurance company will likely offer this for a few dollars per month, or you can go through an outside company, something like AAA or even your automaker. Research the details of your insurance coverage. Find out about your towing coverage; are you covered for a tow to any mechanic, or only a dealer's service shop? Are both towing and labor costs covered?
4. Be prepared; know your basic information
First things first; contact police immediately if your car is stolen. Time is of the essence tin recovering stolen cars, because any delay means your car is more likely to be in a chop shop or driven out of town and outside the reach of the law. Know the make, color and model of your car, but also should know the license plate number and vehicle identification number (VIN). Make a copy of those identifying numbers and your insurance card with you, and keep a photocopy of your registration and insurance card at home, so you can provide information quickly to both law enforcement and insurance claims agents.
Despite the bells, whistles and computer chips of today's technological vehicle theft-prevention devices, the most important theft deterrents are simple ones. Park in well-lit areas or places where there is a lot of foot traffic. If you park in a lot, resist the temptation to park on a remote corner away from other cars, because it makes your vehicle a more likely target for thieves. According to the FBI, more than one-third of all vehicle thefts occur at a home or residence. So always lock your car, even in your own driveway, and park in the light or in your homes garage.
To help you avoid the pain of auto theft not just once - in the initial theft - but twice - when you have an insurance problem - the Council of Better Business Bureaus and the Insurance Information Institute have teamed up with a program called Wiser Drivers Wise Up to address both vehicle theft prevention and what to do if your car is stolen or in an accident. Here are their top tips:
1. Get extra protection
Manufacturer-installed vehicle theft protection is sometimes not enough to protect you from auto theft. Skilled and resolute thieves know how to render inoperative these systems. Aftermarket vehicle anti-theft systems are more complicated and are worth paying a professional to install. They have much better chance of deterring theft. Texas auto insurance companies also may give discounts on policies for those who have taken extra steps to ensure that their car is safe from thieves.
2. Don't assume anything about your cars worth to thieves
Don't think your old clunker is safer than a shiny new model, or that a luxury sedan is more attractive to thieves than a less expensive model. Older vehicles are usually stolen for their parts, which are no longer being manufactured; newer cars are stolen for their popularity. In recent years, cars that have been glamorized in pop culture, like the Cadillac Escalade , have put it on many "most stolen" lists.
The most stolen car of the past 5 years are mid-90s Honda models. Statistics report that 8 of the 10 most stolen cars were made in 2000 or earlier. A big reason for this is because older cars have rare parts. And rare part makes more money for thieves and chop shops - where they sell them for high profits. Part of this has to do with the locks and keys. These type of older Honda models have similar ignitions, making them easy to access if you have the right key or one that's been made to fit.
Auto insurance companies know these statistics and take them into account when writing your policy. If you drive a often stolen vehicle, consider a new car or make sure that you are adding safety features to avoid paying more on your Texas auto insurance.
3. Double check your current insurance policy
Most people assume that their Texas auto insurance includes theft coverage. It is worth double check your policy often to make sure you are covered; only some policies cover theft and the smart move is to have a comprehensive policy that will keep you covered in a variety of scenarios. By taking a close look at your policy and seeing if you are covered you can find out if you are covered for a replacement rental car if your car is stolen, and if there's a waiting period before you're allowed to rent a car. A lot of people looking to save money don't elect the rental car coverage, but it costs only a few dollars a month. A year's worth of replacement rental coverage usually costs less than renting a car for a day or two, very reasonable in perspective.
Include a roadside assistance plan in your coverage. Your Texas insurance company will likely offer this for a few dollars per month, or you can go through an outside company, something like AAA or even your automaker. Research the details of your insurance coverage. Find out about your towing coverage; are you covered for a tow to any mechanic, or only a dealer's service shop? Are both towing and labor costs covered?
4. Be prepared; know your basic information
First things first; contact police immediately if your car is stolen. Time is of the essence tin recovering stolen cars, because any delay means your car is more likely to be in a chop shop or driven out of town and outside the reach of the law. Know the make, color and model of your car, but also should know the license plate number and vehicle identification number (VIN). Make a copy of those identifying numbers and your insurance card with you, and keep a photocopy of your registration and insurance card at home, so you can provide information quickly to both law enforcement and insurance claims agents.
Despite the bells, whistles and computer chips of today's technological vehicle theft-prevention devices, the most important theft deterrents are simple ones. Park in well-lit areas or places where there is a lot of foot traffic. If you park in a lot, resist the temptation to park on a remote corner away from other cars, because it makes your vehicle a more likely target for thieves. According to the FBI, more than one-third of all vehicle thefts occur at a home or residence. So always lock your car, even in your own driveway, and park in the light or in your homes garage.
About the Author:
About the Author - This article was written by Dillo Insurance. We specialize in providing Texas car insurance to high risk Texas drivers. We provide no credit check auto insurance policies to Texas drivers even with tickets, accidents or a lapse in coverage. Get an instant auto insurance policy online today and stay protected from auto theft!
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