Last night, the news media reported seeing an uptick in crime statistics during these trying times. This morning, we had our first claim of a client’s car being broken into since we learned of COVID-19 at The Turner Agency. To help you from becoming a victim of a break-in, remember these four tips when parking your vehicle:
Lock your doors. This seems obvious but locking your doors is one of the first lines of defense in preventing someone from entering your vehicle. The term “break-in” can be contradictory because vehicles are often entered with a simple pull of the unlocked handle. With nothing visible and the doors locked, chances are high anyone considering breaking into your vehicle will likely move on.
Don’t leave valuables and personal items in your vehicle. Most break-ins are crimes of opportunity, so don’t leave anything in the car. Just don’t. Take your purse inside along with your gym bag, shopping bags, cash, computers, electronics, cell phone/cord, or other personal items. You may know that nothing of value has been left in your car, but a thief doesn’t.
Hide your belongings. If items are not easily visible through the windows, there is less chance that a break-in will occur. If you must leave something in the car, place your belongings under a seat or in the glove box to help prevent a break-in from happening in the first place. Don’t hide your items after you are parked because someone may be watching. And be sure no straps are sticking out from under the seat.
Park in a conspicuous and well-lit area. When leaving your vehicle in a parking lot or garage, try to park close to thoroughfares, entrances, and security cameras. This avoids providing a would-be thief with the anonymity they’re looking for.
Regardless of the type of vehicle you drive and where you choose to park it, there is always an unfortunate chance of a break-in occurring. Be that as it may, just because it can happen doesn’t mean it has to. Take these proactive steps, don’t let yourself become a victim, and stay safe out there!.
For more suggestions, visit the Greenville, SC, Police Department website by clicking here.
Choosing the right insurance agent is one of the most important decisions you will make. The Turner Agency, Inc. is a local Trusted Choice® independent insurance agency located in Greenville, South Carolina. Serving the Upstate of South Carolina and beyond since 1962, we offer a variety of personal and business coverage choices and can customize an insurance plan to meet your specialized needs for your business, homes, automobiles, recreational vehicles, secondary homes, and more. Contact The Turner Agency today.
The information in this article was obtained from various sources, including Central Insurance, and is not all inclusive regarding the subject matter. This content is offered for educational purposes only.
