IRVING, Texas, July 2, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- More Texas
vehicles are broken into and/or stolen during the month of July
than any other time of year, according to Allstate Insurance
Company. The insurer looked at Texas auto claims data over the last five
years (2013-2017) and identified July as the highest month for both
car break-ins (personal items stolen from inside a car) and total
car thefts. Allstate encourages consumers to lock their vehicles
and hide their belongings when they're are out and about this
summer.
"Whether you are out running everyday errands or taking a road
trip this summer, it's important to protect your vehicle and
belongings from unwanted attention." says Chris Lewis an Allstate agency owner in
Austin. "Leaving valuables in
plain sight or leaving your car running for a few minutes can make
it a potential target."
Top Items for the Taking
While July is also the highest month for total vehicle thefts,
in-vehicle thefts were more common overall in Texas from 2013-2017. In-vehicle theft is not
stealing the entire car; it's the smash-and-grab of items left
inside. Texas police say top items
on a thieves' shopping list include laptop computers, purses,
wallets, smart phones and tablets.
Tips to Turn off Thieves
- Lock It Up and Roll 'Em Up – An unlocked door or
rolled-down window gives thieves fast access to everything in the
car. Also, never leave your vehicle running or the smart key inside
the car when it is left unattended.
- Look Around – Park in well-lit areas of the parking lot
or street. Look for safety benefits like security cameras or
pedestrian activity. Lights, cameras and law-abiding citizens are
turn-offs for thieves.
- Hide it First or Take It Along – If it's too bulky to
keep in your possession, store valuable items in the trunk of the
car or out of sight—and do it before you park. Waiting to hide
valuables until you've arrived can allow a thief to watch where you
stow your stuff.
- Deter Thieves – Consider installing an audible alarm
system and a visible anti-theft device. Car thieves tend to avoid
cars with alarms or anti-theft devices because they attract
attention when they go off. Check in with your insurance provider,
you may receive a discount on your auto insurance for some of these
devices.
Understand your insurance coverage
In the unfortunate event items from your car or the car itself
are stolen, it's important to understand your insurance coverage.
Comprehensive auto insurance typically covers vandalism to your
vehicle or replacement value for the stolen car. Generally, that's
only if what's stolen was factory-installed. Personal property
inside or on the car— bikes, cell phones, backpacks—is typically
covered by homeowners, renters or condo policies. Apartment
dwellers can find themselves unprotected if they don't have renters
insurance.
Allstate encourages Texans who have questions about prevention
tips or their auto insurance coverage to reach out to their local
insurance agent.
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SOURCE Allstate