Earlier today, Allstate announced that vehicle thefts among their car insurance clients in Texas dropped 2.5 percent last year, but that those cars which are being stolen are ending up not only deep into Mexico, but even in Guatemala, Honduras, and countries on the other side of the ocean. To help reverse this trend, the insurer has a list of tips they’d like to share with consumers.
Sergeant Trinidad Salazar, a member of the Houston Police Department explains, “More stolen vehicles are going as far as Guatemala and Honduras, even overseas, making them tougher to recover. Stolen trucks and SUVs sent across the border are typically being used for human and drug smuggling. Stolen vehicles sent overseas are used for multiple reasons, including terrorism. That’s why it’s important for the public to know how complex theft has become to drive home the seriousness of the issue.”
Oscar Meza, and Allstate agent in the Houston region elaborates, “No matter where you live or what you drive, car thefts impact us all. Vehicle theft is the number one property crime in the country, costing Americans – even those who are not direct victims – about $7.6 billion a year in higher auto insurance premiums, amounting to $200-300 for every policy holder each year. That’s why it’s critical to be vigilant and practice common sense when it comes to parking your car.”
What do Allstate’s car theft experts recommend? Here are their tips to help protect your vehicle:
Park Smart:
Park in a populated, well-lit area. Auto thieves do not like witnesses and prefer unattended parking lots.
Hide Your Things:
Don’t make your car a more desirable target for thieves by leaving valuables in plain sight. Put them in the trunk or take them with you.
Lock-Up:
Almost half of all vehicles stolen were left unlocked and one out of every five vehicles stolen had the keys in it. Roll up windows, lock-up doors and take your keys.
Make Your Mark:
VIN etching–a permanent engraving of a vehicle’s federally registered vehicle identification number (VIN) on its windshield– makes it tougher for a thief to resell or take your vehicle across the border without replacing the marked glass.
Keep Track:
High-tech tracking devices can alert you–and law enforcement– the moment an unauthorized user moves your vehicle.
