Metro Detroit Drivers: Watch Your Car—Especially Its Parts

Labor Day’s past, so that means summer’s just about done.

And it’s been a hot summer for Michigan’s Help Eliminate Auto Thefts (H.E.A.T.).

The auto insurer-funded public safety agency and tipster line issued its first advisory of the year in June, warning drivers about a jump in “unconventional” auto thefts ranging from car cloning to fake sales in forums online.

According to H.E.A.T.’s latest advisory issued this week, it looks like Detroit-area car thieves choose to stay simple this summer—they’re stealing car parts.

‘A Huge Problem’

H.E.A.T. noted theft reports of the following car parts in the Metro Detroit area:

  • Tires
  • Tire rims
  • VIN plates
  • Mirrors
  • License plates

The number of thefts of tires and tire rims in Detroit has seen an especially sharp uptick, with 114 already reported in the first six months of 2013. There were just 16 reports during the same period in 2012, said Terri Miller, H.E.A.T.’s director.

Miller said such theft reports have also reached the suburbs.

“Stealing rims and tires is an easy way for thieves to make a quick profit,” said Sgt. James Vogler, manager of the Action Auto Theft Task Force for Grosse Pointe Park, a city east of downtown Detroit.

Policyholders with comprehensive coverage can rest easy. They’re covered against thefts of those car parts mentioned above as well as thefts of the car itself (deductibles apply), said Miller. Buying car insurance with comprehensive coverage is smart, but Miller said that such crimes can wreak havoc on those who don’t opt to buy that additional protection in their car insurance policy.

“Unfortunately, urban drivers often purchase older vehicles and can’t afford to cover them for these types of losses — so thieves not only take their tires, they take their means of getting to work or school,” Miller told Online Auto Insurance (OAI).

Tips and Partnerships

H.E.A.T. said drivers can do some things to make it harder for criminals like:

  • Park in a garage
  • Park in a lot with an attendant
  • Park in well-lit areas
  • Use tire locks
  • Invest in locking lug nuts

H.E.A.T. is also an anonymous tipster line. Tips about auto theft-related activity can go to 1-800-242-HEAT (4328) or its website.

H.E.A.T.’s summer advisory about carjackings didn’t end there.

Calls to the HEAT tip line went up by over 50 percent after volunteers canvassed Detroit neighborhoods to promote it door-to-door and pass out advisories about car thefts, according to Miller.

“We hope for more efforts like this in the future in partnership with Detroit police,” she told OAI. “These partnerships are essential. Crimes are solved with information — and the HEAT tip line allows residents to report what they know confidentially, without having to call the police directly or testify in court.”