If you cringe every time you get your car insurance bill or every time the payment auto-debits from your bank account, you’re probably dwelling on this question: why is my car insurance so expensive? You’re just about fed up, and thinking about Atlanta car insurance rates kind of makes you want to flip some tables. There are a lot of factors that affect the cost of car insurance, and there are a few reasons that your premium might seem high.
If you’re planning on getting a car in Georgia, you’re probably wondering how much insurance you’re going to need. What are the minimum limits of car insurance in Georgia? We can answer that question, but we’re also going to talk about why you may want to get more than the legally required limit of car insurance.
The magic numbers to remember for Georgia minimum levels of car insurance are 25/50/25.
The first number, 25, means that you need $25,000 of bodily liability insurance per person. If someone gets hurt in an accident and you’re at fault, you have legal obligations to that person (for example, this could be medical expenses.) The limit of coverage for each person in the other car is $25,000. Anything above that limit would come out of your own pocket.
The second number, 50, means that you must have $50,000 of bodily injury liability insurance per occurrence. That means that your car insurance would not pay out more than $50,000 per at-fault accident.
The third number, 25, means that you need $25,000 of property damage insurance. If you hit someone, the other driver’s car would be covered for repair or replacement up to $25,000.
So, that answers the question of the Georgia minimum limits of car insurance: you need $25,000 of bodily injury insurance per person, $50,000 of bodily injury liability per occurrence, and $25,000 of property damage liability insurance.
However, you may want to think about getting more than the Georgia minimum limits of car insurance (which only covers liability insurance.) We’ll explain why.
Having higher limits of car insurance can protect you financially. We don’t like to think about it, but driving is dangerous. The expenses that could arise from a serious accident could be astronomical.
If you’re involved in a severe accident, those minimum levels might not be enough to fully cover your legal responsibility to the other driver (for example, medical bills.) You’d be left to cover the rest of the costs that you owe to the driver that you’ve injured or whose car you’ve damaged, and those could be some very big bills.
The state minimum levels of car insurance only require liability insurance. That means that other driver’s medical bills, their car repairs or replacement, and even your legal expenses could be covered in case of an accident.
But what about your car?
Liability insurance will not cover your car if it’s damaged. So, whether you’re in an accident or something else happens to the vehicle – a tree falls on it, it gets stolen, you hit a deer – you would be on your own to cover the costs of repairing or replacing your car.
To protect yourself financially and protect your investment in your car, you would need to purchase collision and comprehensive coverage.
If you’re driving with the Georgia minimum limits of car insurance, you may not be fully protected financially if you get into a serious accident or if you get sued. Your car is also not protected if you forego collision and comprehensive insurance and only get liability insurance. So, we encourage you to think about getting higher limits of car insurance. Get some quotes. You might find that there actually isn’t too much difference in premium between the minimum limits and adding tens of thousands of dollars of car insurance to your policy.
And we can help you figure that out. We would be happy to help you get a quote for Atlanta car insurance – and help you save money on your car insurance. Get in touch with us and get started with Georgia car insurance quotes by filling out our online form or give us a call today.
Let’s start out by stating a simple fact: Atlanta car insurance can be expensive. The arrival of your car insurance bill each month might fill you with dread. So, like many people, you’re trying to figure out how to save money on car insurance. One way to get lower premiums is to investigate car insurance discounts. Now, each carrier offers different discounts and different amounts of savings, but below are 14 common car insurance discounts you might want to look into.
If you’ve gone a certain number of years without an accident, you could qualify for an accident-free discount. The fact that you’re a safe driver means that you’re a lower risk for the insurance company, and they could reward you with a discount that will lower your car insurance premiums. So, being a safe driver can literally pay off!
Does your family insure more than one car with your insurance carrier? If so, you could get a multi-car discount. So, if you and your spouse have car insurance from the same carrier, you might want to ask if there’s any kind of discount for that.
Teen car insurance can be very expensive, but that’s why there are discounts for young drivers. Teens and young adults who have good grades could qualify for a Good Student Discount. If your teenager gets good marks in school, you might want to contact your insurance company to see if they qualify.
Bundling is when you get your home insurance and your auto insurance from the same insurance company. Many carriers offer a pretty significant discount on car insurance if you bundle, so it’s definitely worth checking to find out if bundling makes sense for you.
You could get some sort of discount just for setting up automatic payments, meaning that your car insurance bill will automatically deduct from your bank account each month. (And this is also handy because you don’t have to worry about forgetting to pay your car insurance bill!)
If you pay in full for a year’s worth of auto insurance, you could get a discount. Yes, it’s a big sticker shock up front, but if you’re financially comfortable paying for the entire year when you renew your policy you could get some savings in the long run.
There could be a small discount if you opt to get your bills and pay them online instead of having them mailed or printed. Who knew insurance companies were so eco-friendly?
You might get a discount if you recently bought your car or if it’s under a certain “age.” So, if you’re getting a brand new vehicle and adding it to your policy or trading in your current car for it, check and see if there are any savings to be had for your new ride.
If your college student is attending a university that’s far away from home (usually 100 miles or more) and they’re not bringing a car, they could get an “away at school” discount. Of course, they’ll need insurance for when they’re home on break borrowing the car, but if they’re not going to be driving while at college this discount could be something worth looking into.
If you don’t drive that much and you have a relatively low annual mileage, you could get a discount. Less driving means less risk of an accident, which is why insurers sometimes offer a discount.
Sometimes seniors can qualify for car insurance discounts. Contact your carrier and ask if they offer this discount, and, if so, whether or not you’re eligible for it.
Your car might be super nifty and come with an anti-theft device to prevent vehicle theft. Another cool thing? That anti-theft system could qualify you for a car insurance discount. (But keep in mind that some carriers only offer this discount if the device is factory-installed and not if you choose to add an anti-theft device later.)
If you’re in the military or were in the military, you could save money on your car insurance. The discount could even apply to your family, too. Definitely check into that when you’re getting car insurance.
Insurance companies value loyalty. If you stick with your car insurance company for years, they might thank you by giving you a discount on your rates. Look into it and see how that works with your carrier.
There are a lot of car insurance discounts out there that could help you save money on your rates … just by being you. Do some research about your carrier. Check out their website and see what discounts they talk about. Call your insurance agent and ask them to explain what discounts they offer. You might have to be proactive about it. Your insurance company can’t give you discounts for things they don’t know about.
Looking to save money on your car insurance? We would be happy to help by getting you an Atlanta auto insurance quote. Our agents are pros at helping people get great coverage at a great rate, and we’ll be happy to talk about car insurance discounts with you. Get started with your quotes by filling out our online form or giving us a call today.
Okay, so you have a situation: the car insurance didn’t get paid. Maybe you forgot. Maybe money was a bit tight this month and you couldn’t pay it. And now your Atlanta car insurance has lapsed…and you’re a little anxious. Your main question is what do I do if my car insurance lapsed? And what could happen now that your auto insurance has lapsed? We’re going to answer those questions by explaining what to do if your car insurance lapsed…and why it’s important to get coverage in place.
Well, the first thing is to stop driving the car if you don’t have insurance. Mooch rides from friends, take public transportation, use a ride-share service…just don’t drive. There are a lot of potential consequences to driving without insurance (and we’ll go over that in more detail in just a second.)
Okay. Moving on.
You need to call your agent or your car insurance company. You might be able to reinstate your policy without too much trouble if you’re not too late with the payment – particularly if you’ve got a good driving record and if you don’t make a habit of paying your car insurance bill late. Your insurance company might forgive a “whoops” moment, and you may just end up paying a surcharge. But if it’s more than just a “whoops” situation, that could be a problem. You’ll have to talk to your agent and see what options they have.
It can be difficult to get reasonably priced insurance if you’ve been cancelled for nonpayment. An insurance company is probably going to be pretty leery of insuring you because they see you as being a risk. To be blunt – they want to get paid.
So, long story short: if your car insurance lapsed, call your insurance agent to find out what your options are.
Pro tip: Set up automatic payments for car insurance. Then the bill will always get paid because it’ll be automatically be deducted from your bank account.
Well, that could get problematic.
In Georgia, you’re legally required to carry liability insurance to drive on the roads. You need $25,000 bodily injury liability insurance per person and $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident. You also need $25,000 of property damage liability. Those are the Georgia state minimums for car insurance. If you’re not covered by those levels of insurance and you get into an accident or get pulled over, that’s big trouble. Like we said, it’s illegal to drive without the right insurance. (Also, the Georgia DMV can find out that you don’t have the required coverage.)
Pro tip: Carry your insurance card with you when you drive. You could get in trouble if you don’t have it with you and you get pulled over.
But wait – there’s more.
If you drive without car insurance, you may be on your own if you’re at fault in an accident.
That means you could have to shoulder the cost of things like…
These expenses could be coming out of your pocket. Sure, your insurance premium might seem expensive…but not as expensive as the fallout from an at-fault accident. You don’t want to have to cover those expenses on your own..
So. This is why it’s important to keep valid Atlanta car insurance. Though you may feel auto insurance is very expensive, consider it an investment in your financial security. No one wants to think about worst-case scenarios, but driving comes with a lot of risks. It’s essential to protect yourself financially. If you’re concerned that car insurance is going to be too expensive, reach out to your agent and ask about payment plans, discounts, and coverage options.
And your Atlanta Insurance agent can help you shop for your rates so that you can compare coverage options and pricing – and save money on your car insurance. Get started with your Atlanta car insurance quotes by filling out our online quote form or giving us a call.
Source:
https://www.thebalance.com/avoid-a-car-insurance-lapse-527455
https://www.thebalance.com/policy-canceled-for-non-payment-2645553
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-force-placed-insurance-en-827/
https://www.thebalance.com/penalties-for-driving-without-insurance-in-georgia-527222
When you’re looking at your monthly Atlanta car insurance payment, you might wonder how exactly the insurance company came up with that number. Did they just pick a premium out of the air? We get that it may feel that way, but the truth is that there are many factors that affect the cost of car insurance. These factors can be separated into two categories: details about you and details about your car. We’ll explain how insurance companies set car insurance rates.
Insurance companies want to know about you when they’re determining your car insurance rates. They’ll want to know where you live, what kind of driving record you have, your age, and so on. These details matter to your Atlanta car insurance rates because they give the insurance company an impression of how risky you are to insure. For example, they’ll look at the following…
While details about yourself, such as your driving record and where you live, play a part in determining your car insurance premium, there is additional information that insurance companies need to calculate your car insurance rates. They also use details about your vehicle to figure out what your rate will be. The following are some of the more car-related factors that influence your Atlanta car insurance rates:
These details are essential to insurance companies when they establish your automobile insurance premium. Details about your driving habits and, well, yourself help them figure out how much a risk you are to insure. And all of these things together factor into your Atlanta car insurance rates. So, no, your car insurance premium isn’t just an arbitrary number the insurance company picks out of thin air. There’s a lot of reasoning that goes into it.
If you’re looking for car insurance in Atlanta, we can help. Our team of insurance professionals can help you shop for the best insurance at the best possible rate. By getting multiple quotes, you can save money on Atlanta car insurance. You can get started with your Atlanta car insurance quotes by filling out our online form or calling us today.
Source:
https://www.moneycrashers.com/factors-affect-car-insurance-rates/
Insurance can get a little complicated. If you’re dealing with your car insurance, you might be operating under certain assumptions that are widely believed to be facts…but that maybe aren’t as true as you think they are. It’s important that you’re equipped with all the facts when you handle any type of insurance, so we’re going to debunk 13 popular car insurance myths. Let the debunking begin!
What’s the truth? This one is a classic myth and widely-held belief, but it’s actually not true. Red cars do not cost more to insure than cars of other colors. The logic behind this myth is that the type of person who wants a red car is more of a risk-taker, meaning they’re more likely to speed and drive recklessly, leading to more tickets. But the insurance company really doesn’t care about the paint job your car has – they care about how safe the vehicle is. They want to know the make, model, year, and so on.
So, don’t let this myth hold you back. If you really want that fire-engine red car, go for it. Don’t let car insurance myths get in the way.
What’s the truth? If your car is damaged, your car insurance will only pay to repair or replace it if you have collision and comprehensive coverage. Collision coverage can repair or replace your car if you’re at-fault in an accident. Comprehensive coverage can pay to repair or replace your car if something other than an accident (fire, animal strike, vandalism, falling objects like trees) damages it.
If you only have liability coverage, your insurance will only pay for your legal obligation to the other driver in the accident – their medical bills, lost wages, car repairs or replacement, and so on. You would be out of luck when it comes to the repairs to your own car.
What’s the truth? Unfortunately, this is one of those car insurance myths that is blatantly false. Comprehensive coverage will cover losses such as fire, vandalism, animal strikes, and objects that randomly crash from the sky (like trees.) It even covers theft. But a whacky transmission? Nope. You’re on your own.
What’s the truth? It’s actually your home insurance or renters insurance that might help you out here. But you have to consider your deductible.
What’s the truth? The Internet is useful for a lot of things. Your car insurance? Well, maybe not so much. There are lots of advantages to working with an actual, real-live person. A good, trustworthy insurance agent can help you make sure that you’ve got the coverage you need to fully protect your vehicle and your liability. They can make sure you’re not underinsured, which means that you won’t be diving between the couch cushions for change if you have a claim.
If you buy insurance online but don’t get high enough limits of coverage, you could be facing a huge financial loss if you’re in a bad accident. Besides, that computer can only go so far in understanding your unique insurance situation. Real agents can take the time to get to know you – and another cool trick? They can help you get car insurance discounts. Bonus!
What’s the truth? Insurance companies look at many details about you and your vehicle to determine your car insurance rates. They consider your age, the car you drive, what the car is primarily used for, how many miles you drive, and your credit score. So, as you can see, it’s way more than just your driving record. (Although of course being a safe driver can help you avoid accidents and keep your car insurance rates down.)
What’s the truth? Well, it depends on the coverage you have on it. If you have collision and comprehensive coverage, it could be a bit pricier because a small vehicle will sustain more damage in an accident than a larger vehicle. Think about what would happen if a two-seater convertible rear-ended an SUV.
Exactly.
What’s the truth? Not quite. The insurance company will pay the actual cash value (ACV) of the vehicle at the time of the accident – well, less your deductible, which you have to pay. The problem is that the ACV of your vehicle might not be enough to cover the rest of what’s left on your loan since car values depreciate so quickly. If you owe more on your loan than the vehicle is worth when you have an accident and total the car, you would have to pay the difference. You would need gap coverage to fill this difference.
What’s the truth? The insurance company decides if the car is totaled based on the amount of damage it sustained. If the amount for the repairs is above a certain percent of the value of the car, it could be declared a total loss.
What’s the truth? Actually, it can. And it will. Just because you were in Tennessee for the weekend does not mean the ticket you got in Nashville goes away the second you cross the Georgia border. That ticket will be with you.
What’s the truth? Your insurance rate really depends on the car itself. Your premium depends on the year, make, and model of your new ride.
What’s the truth? Actually, old cars are often targets of theft. It seems a bit backward, but car thieves can get more money for car parts coming from older-model vehicles. Who would have thought? And besides, it’s usually easier to steal an older vehicle, and car thieves are looking for the easy take. Your car may have many miles on it and a few scrapes and dings, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take steps towards preventing a car break-in or theft.
What’s the truth? This is perhaps one of the most dangerous car insurance myths out there. You will probably want to get more than the state minimum level of insurance. Georgia’s minimum limits of auto insurance are $25,000 bodily injury per person, $25,000 property damage liability, and $50,000 of bodily injury per accident (meaning all people in the accident.) Yes, at first glance that seems like a lot of money. But if you’re in a very bad accident and you end up getting sued, that amount suddenly looks much, much smaller. You will probably want more liability coverage than the state minimum to fully protect yourself financially.
(And Georgia does not require collision or comprehensive coverage, which will pay to repair or replace your car if it’s damaged. If you only have the state minimum requirement, that’s just liability coverage. Should something happen to your beloved car, you’d be out of luck.)
As all of the above car insurance myths show us, not everything you hear or assume about car insurance is true. It’s important to get all the facts from a trusted insurance agent and advisor. Our team here at Atlanta Insurance would love the opportunity to become that trusted advisor to you. We can answer your car insurance questions and help you shop for the best insurance at the best rate. We’ll go over your coverage options with you so you know you’re getting good intel (and not just car insurance myths.) And we’ll help you save money on car insurance. Get in touch by filling out our online quote form or giving us a call today.
Source:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/automotive/chi-car-insurance-myths-201112223-story.html
https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2014/10/21/344167.htm
School is almost out for the summer for the kids, Memorial Day is coming right up, and it’s time for vacation. You might be planning a road trip for the family this summer. Maybe you’re going sight-seeing, or maybe you’re going to visit extended family. Wherever your destination may be, it’s important to be safe on your trip. Check out the following tips to have the funnest (we may be making up words) and best road trip ever.
If you’re going to be going on a long trip, it’s important that your car is up to the task. You’re kind of asking it to run a marathon, so be sure to take it to a trustworthy mechanic for a quick tune-up. Check over things like your tire pressure, tire tread depth, oil, wiper blades, and fluids.
Your car is a faithful friend. Give it some TLC before you ask it to traverse hundreds of miles. It’s the nice thing to do.
It’s kind of nice to know where you’re going. Plan out your route and have a plan for GPS/navigation. It might be a good idea to go old-school and print out a set of directions so that you have something to go by in case your GPS or navigation conks out. Never hurts to be prepared! Your trip could take a very unexpected turn (literally) if your GPS dies.
You can consider getting a car alarm system to protect your vehicle. You’ll probably be visiting a lot of places, so it might make you feel better knowing that there’s an alarm on your car.
Flat tires happen. It’s a tenet of Murphy’s Law – anything that can go wrong will go wrong. It’s important to have your spare tire ready to go in case you need it…and to know how to use it. Make sure you’ve got the proper tools to change a tire. And if no one who will be in the car knows how to get the job done, make sure to have the number of a roadside assistance service handy (or get a roadside assistance membership and be sure to bring the card with you.)
Sharing a car with cranky, grouchy, hungry passengers…stressful. Pack plenty of snacks. Try to bring a variety of foods – sweet, salty, and healthy – to keep everyone appeased. Especially the kids. Hungry children are not happy children.
And speaking of snacks – well, fuel…
Don’t forget to be mindful of your gas gauge. If you’ll have to go long stretches without passing a gas station over the course of your road trip, plan accordingly. Know how much mileage your car gets per gallon.
You can put together a car emergency kit prior to your trip. It should include car-related items you may need, like jumper cables, but other practical items, too. For starters…
Of course, there are ready-made kits that you can buy online. You might want to do some research to find out if there’s a reasonably-priced one that will work for you.
Bored, squealing, shouting, or crying children can be a distraction to the driver. Yes, you love your kids, but it’s vital that you have plenty of things to do to occupy them so they’re quiet, calm, and happy throughout the trip. Figure out fun things for them to do. Whether that’s downloading movies on your tablet or playing car road trip games, plan accordingly and let the good times roll.
Summer can bring some crazy weather, and things can get so intense that it might be downright unsafe to drive. Heavy rains and storms are common for the summer months, so keep tabs on the weather and adjust your route/plans accordingly. Hopefully, you won’t have any rain on your parade, but use your smartphone or listen to the radio to get important weather updates.
Stay alert and watch the road carefully. Scan your surroundings and be prepared to take action if something happens. Distracted driving is really dangerous, as is drunk driving, so you have to be alert for other drivers who are not behaving safely.
A tip if you’re driving down a highway –
Stay in the middle or right lanes of traffic. If someone traveling the opposite direction crosses the solid yellow lines onto your side of the road, this will give you more time to react and prevent an accident.
Driving while drowsy is not a good idea. It’s downright dangerous. As you get more and more tired, you lose your ability to react fast to dangers, hold the car steady, and make quick decisions. Make sure you get plenty of sleep the night before the road trip.
But keep in mind that boredom from the road and certain medications can also cause drowsiness. If you need to, take a break. Stretch, walk around, and switch with someone who is not mentally fatigued from driving. (Remember, being a safe driver can help you save money on car insurance.)
Being overly tired can be like driving drunk. Your reaction times and decision-making are that impaired. Making sure everyone gets plenty of rest is generally a road-trip best practice. Tiredness usually goes hand-in-hand with grouchiness…and that’s no fun for anyone.
Seatbelts are a must. Seatbelts help by stopping people from flying forward in the event of a crash. Remember that seatbelts are for the cool kids. Buckle up, everyone.
So, there are our top road trip tips for the summer. And of course, we wish you safe travels to wherever your summer adventures take you.
Are you looking to save money on auto insurance? We can help you get multiple quotes for your Atlanta car insurance. By shopping your rates, you can compare pricing and coverage options. To get in touch, fill out our quote form or give us a call today.
Source:
If you’ve got a home or a car, chances are you’ve heard about bundling your home insurance and auto insurance. Maybe you’ve even heard that bundling can help you save money on your insurance. But is that true? Should you bundle your home insurance and auto insurance? It almost sounds too good to be true. We’ll tell you what bundling is, the reasons for bundling, and some things you should check before you make your final decision.
Picture this: you walk out of the mall, shopping bags in hand. You head over to where you parked…and your car isn’t there. It’s gone. Vanished. And unless your car has learned to drive itself, you realize with gut-wrenching horror that it’s been stolen. So, what now? Is there any hope of seeing your beloved car ever again?
Well, there are a few things you need to do if you’re ever the victim of Grand Theft Auto. Check out our steps below.
Okay, here’s the thing:
Sometimes we tend to jump to the worst conclusion. Before you go into panic mode, think through some other options. Could you have parked on the other side of the mall? (We’re all human and we’ve all been there when it comes to I-forgot-where-I-parked.) Or were you parked in a tow-away spot? Maybe your car was towed. Or is it possible that your car was repossessed? If your car disappeared from your home, is it possible that a family member with access to your keys borrowed it?
Your knee-jerk reaction to your car not being where it’s supposed to be might be panic, but try to take a breath and think through other possibilities if you’re not 100% sure that your vehicle is not where you left it.
Okay. So, your deep-breath-and-think moment didn’t lead to any epiphanies. There’s no other possibility – the car has been stolen.
Now it’s time to get the police involved.
The quicker you get the authorities involved with the car theft, the better. File the police report and give the authorities any details you can about the car – year, make, model, color, license plate number, Vehicle Identification Number (if you happen to have your insurance card, it will probably have your VIN listed.)
If your car has GPS, let the police know. It could help them find the car and return it to you.
Once you’ve gotten the police involved, it’s time to contact your car insurance company.
They’ll help you get started with the claim. If you have comprehensive coverage, you’re protected against losses or damages to your vehicle that aren’t caused by a collision, like fire, vandalism, falling objects (i.e. trees) and yes – theft. If you only have liability insurance, you won’t be covered for car theft because liability covers your responsibilities to other drivers that you injure or whose property you damage in an accident – not your own vehicle.
Your DMV might have a database or record of vehicles that have been stolen. You may want to think about informing them that your car has been stolen.
If you still have a car payment and owe money to a leasing company, you’ll need to tell them that the car has been stolen. Much of the time they will work with your insurance company directly to deal with the car theft.
It’s important to take care to prevent a car theft with the following tips…
These tips can also help you with preventing a car break-in. Take precautions to protect your vehicle.
So, that’s the deal with car theft. There are a few phone calls you have to make after you’re sure that the car has in fact been stolen. First, the police. Then, your insurer. And then your leasing or financing company. So, yes, it might mean you have a lot of time on the phone in your future, but hopefully it results in your car coming home.
Need some auto insurance? We would be happy to help you get some quotes so you can save money on your auto insurance. Our agents are professionals at helping people find the best coverage at the best rate. All you have to do to get quotes is fill out our online form or call us today.
Source:
https://www.angieslist.com/articles/what-do-if-your-car-stolen.htm
https://www.thebalance.com/stolen-car-insurance-claim-process-527104
As the owner of a car, you’re probably pretty protective of your vehicle. You don’t want anything to happen to it – no scrapes or dings on your watch! So chances are you would not be pleased if someone smashed your window and stole your belongings in a blatant break-in.
Since we can’t exactly put our cars in our pockets and take them with us wherever we go, it’s impossible to keep an eye on your vehicle all the time. Smash-and-grabs are, unfortunately, a very common occurrence. Aside from the feeling of utter rage, you’d probably feel pretty violated if someone broke the window of your car. That is your space.
Anyways, we’ve got a few tips to help you prevent a car break-in.
It’s best to stow anything you’re planning on leaving in the car before you arrive at your destination. If you wait until you get there and then transfer your bag or briefcase to the trunk to hide it, a thief could see you move it … and then watch as you walk away and leave the car (and goodies) unattended. But if your treasures are safely stashed before you arrive, no one will be the wiser and you could avoid a break-in. Yes, your home insurance might cover belongings stolen from your car, but you may as well try not to use it.
Electronics are the jackpot for smash-and-grab thieves. Don’t leave your phone or iPod in the car and especially not in plain sight. Unless it’s impossible, don’t leave any valuables in your vehicle. Take them with you so that they won’t be stolen.
There’s no reason to make the thief’s job easier. If you leave your doors unlocked or your windows down, you’re inviting a thief to snag your stuff as they casually stroll on by. If you increase the amount of effort it’s going to take to steal from your car, you may prevent a lazy thief from striking. Even if you’ll only be gone for a minute, take an extra second to click the Lock button.
A phone charger or GPS cord left plugged into the cigarette lighter (that thing that charges your phone) is a big breadcrumb for a thief. Where there is a charger, there could be a phone. And if there’s a chance there’s a phone, you could be painting a target on your car and inviting a break-in.
Pro tip: If you use a GPS that suctions to your windshield, remove the suction cup and wipe away the marks before leaving your car.
If there are empty shopping bags, papers, or wrappers littering your car, a thief might think that the clutter conceals something they want. By keeping a tidy, neat car you send a message that there’s nothing to see – or steal.
The ideal parking spot is well-lit and located in a well-traveled area. The more likely they are to be caught, the less likely a thief is to smash windows. Avoid parking spots where your vehicle would be concealed from view. This only invites trouble. It’s important to understand the reasons to drive safely, but it’s also important to stay safe when you park your car.
The thief who breaks into your car could be trying to steal it. Having a steering wheel lock or collar, or a lock for the brake pedal tells the thief right off that that car isn’t going anywhere. Car alarms are also helpful.
So, those are some things you can do to minimize the chance that your car will be broken into. Be mindful of your situation and take steps to keep your car safe. Your car is a faithful friend…and broken windows are no fun.
Looking to save money on your car insurance? We would be happy to help you with that. We can help you shop for the best coverage at the best rate. All you have to do to get auto insurance quotes is fill out our quote form or give us a call today.
Source:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/04/15/aa.avoid.car.break.ins/