• Embed Doc
  • Copy Link
  • Readcast
  • Collections
  • CommentGo Back
Download
 
 
DO
l
always lock your vehicleand close your windowstightly
l
wherever possible, whenparking, turn your wheelsand set your parking braketo make towing yourvehicle more difficult
l
utilize an anti-theft devicesuch as a steering wheellock, an automatic engineshut-off, a tracking deviceor the permanent etchingofidentification informationonto your windows
DON'T
l
leave an unattendedvehicle running
l
leave your keys in theignition
l
place a spare key in thevehicle
l
leave original insurance orowner-ship documents inyour vehicle.
The personal and financial cost of auto theft can be staggering. Everycar owner in Canada helps to pay for the nearly $1 billion, annual costof auto theft through the payment of higher insurance premiums.Others are directly effected through the theft of their vehicles, moneyand related crime that can lead to loss of life. In order to protectyourself and reduce the costs associated with auto theft, we urge youto be take a moment to assess our risk and follow these basic stes.RISK FACTORS
Transportation and financial gain arethe most common reasons for vehicletheft.
Vehicles Stolen As Transport
Any vehicle may be stolen, given theopportunity, for basic, short term,transportation. While the majority ofthese thefts are classified as “joy-rides”, many vehicles will becomeinvolved in further criminal activityonce they have been stolen. Theftsused for “joy-rides” are the easiest toprevent and simply involve making itdifficult for a person walking by.
Vehicles Stolen For Profit
Late model sport utility and luxurycars (less than five years old) are thefavourite targets for this type of theft.Vehicles stolen for profit can be soldlocally, shipped out of the country, orcompletely dismantled and sold forparts by organized groups thatfunction like a business. Thievesengaged in this type of activity willoften change the VehicleIdentification Number (V.I.N.).
Most Commonly Stolen Vehicles
l
Dodge Caravan
l
Dodge Neon
l
Plymouth Voyageur
l
Honda Civic
l
Honda Accord
l
Chrysler Intrepid
Common Theft Locations
The most common location for vehiclethefts is large, anonymous parkinglots such as those associated with:
l
shopping malls
l
commuter train stations
l
movie theatres
l
airports
l
automotive dealershipsVehicles are also stolen fromresidential driveways and unlockedgarages.
PREVENTING MOTOR VEHICLETHEFT
You can dramatically reduce the riskof vehicle theft by following thesesimle do’s and don’ts.
Page 1 of 3Tip Sheet - Auto and Vehicle Theft2/24/2006mhtml:file://Y:\Sue\Tip%20Sheet%20-%20Auto%20and%20Vehicle%20Theft.mht
 
 
Prevent damage to your vehicle andloss of its contents by removingvaluables from your vehicle at yourearliest opportunity. Where you muststore valuables in your vehicle for ashort period of time, lock them in atrunk or, where your vehicle does nothave a trunk, cover them as discreetlyas possible.
Purchase stereo components thatcan be removed from their brackets
To prevent loss of stereo and otherelectronic equipment, purchasecomponents that can be removed fromtheir brackets and locked in a securearea.Never “advertise” the fact that you havean expensive system, by playing yourstereo loudly before you park.
ANTI-THEFT DEVICES
There are numerous auto manufactureror after market anti-theft devicesavailable. Some insurance companieswill provide you with a rate discount ifyou use these devices. To help youdecide which device(s) may be best foryou, consider these facts before youbuy:
l
steering wheel locks: while anexcellent visual deterrent, arerelatively inconvenient to useand cannot be relied on tophysically stop a thief
l
the most effective anti-theftsystems are systems that setthemselves.
IF YOU ARE A HOMEOWNER...
Every year thousands ofhomeowners are surprised todiscover their motor vehicle has beentaken from their driveway.Most of these thefts can be easilyprevented as they result from peopleleaving their vehicles parked in thedriveway overnight or warming up intheir driveways.In order to prevent these thefts fromhappening, we urge you to:
l
use your garage for parkingyour vehicle
l
lock the garage door
l
minimize the risks whenwarming up your vehicle byusing the following tips.
MINIMIZING RISKS WHENWARMING UP YOUR VEHICLES
Nothing attracts a car thief like anunattended, running vehicle. In orderto reduce the chances that a vehicleyou’re warming up will be stolen, it isessential that you keep your vehiclelocked. Two effective ways to ensurethis is done, includes purchasing andusing a “pull away” key chainequipped with a spare key or aremote starter. And remember, neverremote start a vehicle that is parkedin a arae.
IF YOU DON'T HAVE A GARAGE...
If you must park in a visible locationoutside, we recommend:
l
parking the vehicle as closeto the house as possible,
l
installing a motion activatedlight directed at the drivewayAdditional security can be achievedby utilizing an anti-theft device orparking an inexpensive, older vehiclebehind the new one, if available.
PREVENTING THEFT FROMVEHICLESAlways lock your car
Theft from vehicles is another reasonwhy you should always lock your car.Opportunistic thieves will oftenrummage through any type of vehiclethey find unlocked seeking valuablesin your car. Prevent this type of theftby always keeping your vehiclelocked or within a locked garage.
Never store valuables in opensight
Never attract thieves to your vehicleby storing valuables or packages inopen sight. Opportunistic thieves willnot hesitate to break into your vehicleif they see something they want orthink there might be value in such asa briefcase or empty purse.
Page 2 of 3Tip Sheet - Auto and Vehicle Theft2/24/2006mhtml:file://Y:\Sue\Tip%20Sheet%20-%20Auto%20and%20Vehicle%20Theft.mht
of 00

Leave a Comment

You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...
You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...