Progressive Insurance Finds More Than 8 Cars Are Stolen of Vandalized Every Hour
Hi - Many of us have had the unfortunate experience of returning to our vehicle and seeing broken glass and evidence that someone has rummaged through our belongings and made off with our favorite sunglasses or worse, a phone, laptop or purse. Progressive Insurance<http://www.progressive.com/>, the fourth largest auto insurer in the country, has analyzed its claims data and produced a revealing report of how often this happens, what kinds of vehicles are most susceptible, and worked with experts to identify the things you can do to make it less likely that you become a victim. According to Progressive's claims data, an average of more than eight cars are stolen or vandalized every hour in the United States. And easier targets may be even more likely to suffer this fate, as Progressive's data shows an even larger percentage of claims are related to theft/vandalism when it comes to motorcycles and boats. Weekends are the busiest time for thieves and vandals: Saturday, Sunday and Monday are the most common days for these kinds of auto and motorcycle claims and Friday, Saturday and Sunday are busiest for boat theft and vandalism claims. To help drivers, boaters and riders alike prevent theft and vandalism, Progressive claims trainer and former Virginia state trooper Todd Golling has pulled together a list of six simple tips to stop thieves in their tracks. * Be especially cautious at busy events. Sports venues, churches, concerts, beaches, marinas, festivals and other outdoor events are targets for thieves. If possible, park somewhere in full view of people, and follow the next tip... * Remove your valuables. If you don't want it stolen, don't leave it in your vehicle or aboard your boat. A visible mobile phone or laptop is just asking for trouble! * If you can't take it with you, hide it. Making a run to the mall? Put your purchased items in your car trunk, lock them in your motorcycle saddle bags, or use a blanket to cover them. * It's OK to fake it. Thieves are lazy. Even if you don't have an alarm, a sticker that says you do makes your vehicle a less appealing target. * Remember to lock up. It sounds simple, but make sure to lock your vehicle and your boat cabin! Too often, people who leave their vehicle unsecured for just a few minutes find themselves victims. * Stock up on preventative items. Locking gas caps, locking lug nuts, exterior hatch locks, alarm padlocks, motorcycle covers, kill switches, and steering wheel locks are a great way to deter a thief. If interested, I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have or put you in touch with Todd Golling for additional commentary. Please keep me posted on your interest and I'm looking forward to hearing from you, thanks! Best, Amanda AMANDA MARCUS Account Manager amanda@allisonpr.com<mailto:amanda@allisonpr.com> O +1.646.428.0637 M +1.631.431.7204 linkedin.com/in/amandafield1 71 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor New York, NY 10003 www.allisonpr.com<http://www.allisonpr.com/> [A+P Email Logo]
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