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Personal Auto Tips

Tips to help you prevent being a victim of a car thief

Car theft in Hawaii is becoming an increasing problem. While most agree a professional car thief will find a way to steal your car if it's been targeted, most cars are still taken by amateurs who can be deterred fairly easily through common sense precautions. The following car tips are provided with the help of the Honolulu Police Department.

• Never leave your keys in the ignition, not even at home or in a parking lot. It's an open invitation to theft. Almost half of all cars stolen had the key in the ignition, and most were not locked.
• Avoid transferring items to the trunk of your car at a location where it will be parked. A thief may be watching.
• "Hiding" spare keys under the carpeting or over a sun visor is about as clever as leaving a house key under a doormat. Thieves know all the obvious places to look.
• Don't leave luggage, packages or other easily removed items in view inside your car. Lock your property in the trunk.
• Avoid parking your car in an unattended parking lot for an extended period of time. A car is five times more likely to be stolen from an unattended lot than from the street or an attended lot. Military personnel should make arrangements to park their cars on base impound lots or other guarded facilities upon deployment.
• Whenever possible, turn your wheels sharply toward the curb when parking, making it extra difficult for thieves to tow your car.
• Anti-theft devices also are good deterrent mechanisms. Security devices such as an interior hood lock and release; second ignition switch or "kill" switch; fuel switch; locking gas cap; locking devices for batteries, wheels, decks, etc.; and an alarm device are things to consider when buying a new or used car.

In case your car is stolen, you should have a copy of your license number and vehicle identification number on an item that you always carry in your wallet or purse. In case your vehicle is stolen, the loss can be reported at once to the Police at 911.

Vehicle theft is covered under the Other Than Collision" coverage in your auto insurance policy. This is an optional coverage item. Personal items taken from your vehicle, such as a camera, clothes, books, golf clubs, etc., are covered under your homeowner, condo-minium or renter's policy.

If you are unsure of what your current policy covers and what your deductible is, please call us and we'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.