There are few things worse for vehicle owners than suddenly discovering that their car has been stolen. According to a recent report by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), California drivers get this feeling the most. Of the top 10 metropolitan areas listed on the latest NICB Hot Spots report for having the highest vehicle theft rate in 2011, seven of the listed cities are in the Golden State. Those geographic areas and their theft rates (the number of cars stolen per 100,000 people) include:
Unfortunately, each of these locations also appeared on the 2010 list of Hot Spots with similar standings. The only surprise for analysts this year was the theft rate coming from Anderson, S.C., which jumped from 33nd in 2010 to 8th in 2011.
The bad news for motorists living in these areas—apart from the danger of having one’s car stolen—is that insurance companies carefully examine theft statistics in a given area when rating drivers. When a person’s territory is notorious for vehicle theft, insurers are more likely to charge more for comprehensive coverage, which compensates car owners when their vehicles ares stolen. Producers don’t like paying out claims, so when someone lives in an area where the possibility of filing a claim is increased, insurers frequently respond by raising prices.
Thankfully, drivers can still get affordable car insurance by taking precautions to avoid becoming a victim of theft. Often, cars are stolen as the result of owner error, like leaving a door unlocked or keys in the ignition. While it’s true that there are prevention methods that are entirely foolproof, motorists can still take steps to make sure their car is as difficult as possible to steal.
The Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C.—where roughly 18 vehicles are stolen every day—is one of many agencies that encourage drivers to use common sense when parking their cars, and to outfit their automobiles with antitheft devices. Luckily, many of these devices can also lead to insurance discounts from companies.
The most basic antitheft devices that are likely to bring small savings include audible alarms, wheel locks, or window etchings. More extensive devices are often more effective and frequently result in more substantial savings. These include smart keys, GPS tracking devices, or kill switches. Taking the extra step to deter criminals can help drivers improve their chances of keeping their cars, and maintain adequately priced insurance despite the statistics.
Source: http://www.onlineautoinsurance.com/affordable/
