Protect your car this New Year’s Day

New Year’s Day stands as a celebration for the beginning of a new chapter.  While this is a joyous occasion it is important to be aware of the commonality of automotive theft this time of year. Depending upon the year, New Year’s Day often falls within the top three days for the highest amount of theft activity.

A look at the risk
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), a nonprofit organization devoted to fraud and burglary awareness, stated that while Labor Day had the highest amount of thefts in 2015, New Year’s Day placed second. Notably, automotive theft increases around this time of year, with Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve all falling in the top 10 last year as well.

According to NICB, car owners will want to ensure that they follow the best practices involved in mitigating the risk of theft this holiday season, especially on New Year’s Day.

Steps to avoid theft
The Telegraph, an online publication, suggests some of the following steps car owners can take to reduce the risk of theft this New Year’s Day:

• Pay attention to the area in which you are parking.
• Always keep your doors locked and windows up when the car is unattended.
• Read up on your cars security system, and consider updating it with a tracking device
• Keep all items – even if they are not all that valuable – out of plain sight, placing them on the floor or in the trunk of the car.
• Use a steering wheel bar to deter would-be thieves.

In many instances, relatively simple, cost-free approaches can make all difference in making your automobile look a little less easy in the eyes of a car thief.

Insurance considerations
Make sure your car is properly insured against theft, and that your policy covers the full value of the vehicle at all times. Additionally, if your car does not include some form of tracking system that allows you to find it when it has been stolen, consider investing in such technology to avoid a total loss. Speak to your independent agent to ensure you are safely removed from the effects of car theft-related financial damages.