Theft of Luxury Cars is on the Rise

Theft of luxury cars continues to rise. Unfortunately, affluent neighborhoods are often the primary target. The latest trend is for thieves to drive away with the entire car (rather than stealing parts or breaking in to steal valuables).

Criminals work in groups and canvas both certain neighborhoods and areas where people commonly pull up and jump out of the car for a minute just to pick up something such as a gas station, a dry cleaner, the post office, a coffee shop, or a pizza place. They wait a few feet away and as you jump out; they jump in and drive away.

Steps to Prevent Theft of Your Luxury Car 

We are all guilty of stopping by the house to pick up something or running inside a store quickly without wanting to take the time to lock everything up. After all, you’re only going to be a minute. Either scenario gives the car thieves ample time to pull off their intended crime.

The best rule of thumb? Don’t leave your keys in your car, no matter where it is parked and no matter how long you will be away from the vehicle! Remember to put your windows up so the vehicle cannot be easily unlocked from the outside.

Here are some more tips:

• Lock your car each time you exit the vehicle.
• When you can, park your car in a locked garage.
• Set your alarms, even when you are home as there have been recent cases where the criminals come into homes when people are there to steal keys.
• Don’t store keys in places that are visible and easily accessible to criminals
• Add security features to your home such as a surveillance camera and motion lighting.

Watch Your Car Mirrors 

In luxury cars, side mirrors turn in when there are no keys in the car. An expensive car that is parked with its mirrors out indicates to a would-be car thief that the keys might be inside, making it easier to simply drive away. While this is a setting that can be disabled, it is something that owners of luxury cars should be aware of!

Choose Your Parking Spot Wisely 

If you will be out after dark, park your car in an area that will be well-lit. Look around to see if you observe any suspicious activity.

Store Valuables Safely 

Don’t leave valuables like laptops or purses in plain sight in your vehicle. Consider storing them in your trunk, taking them with you, or removing them from the vehicle.

Know Where All of Your Spare Keys Are 

Never leave your keys out in plain sight, including sets of spare keys. When not in use, keep sets of spare keys locked away in a safe location.

If Your Car is Stolen 

Report the car theft to the police immediately. You will need to file a stolen-vehicle report and get a copy for your insurance.

We are Here to Help 

As always, if you have any questions about your automobile insurance (or any type of property and casualty insurance) don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by reaching out to one of our local offices.

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This article is for general informational purposes only and is not to be relied upon or used for any particular purpose. Cross Insurance shall not be held responsible in any way for, and specifically disclaims any liability arising out of or in any way connected to, reliance on or use of any of the information contained in this article. The information contained or referenced in this article is not intended to constitute and should not be considered legal, insurance, accounting or other professional advice, nor shall it serve as a substitute for the recipient obtaining such advice. The views expressed in this article are that of its author and do not necessarily represent the views of Cross Financial Corp. and its subsidiaries and affiliates (“Cross Insurance”) or Cross Insurance’s management or shareholders.