Insurance Reminder from MassDOT, MAPFRE: Tips to Prevent Motor Vehicle Theft

Summer travel is underway and more people are on the roads. While we’re focused on summer fun, this is no time to get complacent and leave cars unlocked. Not finding your car where you parked it is a harrowing feeling and sadly a common experience. Auto theft is on the rise, and with July being Auto Theft Prevention Month, we’re here to make sure you don’t become a victim!

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), research shows that in 2020 alone, 804,400 vehicles were stolen in the United States, which is an 11.8% increase from 2019. Within that figure, passenger cars made up more than 74% of all stolen vehicles, with only 56.4% of all stolen vehicles being recovered. On average, a motor vehicle was stolen every 39 seconds. These motor vehicle thefts cost vehicle owners more than $7 billion.

With better technology being developed for motor vehicles, you may think today’s cars are theft-proof, but that’s not the case. Use the following tips, offered by NHTSA and Autotrader, to prevent motor vehicle theft and educate your community about the dangers involved:

  • Park in well-lit areas
  • Close and lock all windows and doors when you park
  • Hide valuables out of sight, like in the glove box or trunk.
  • Don’t leave your keys in your vehicle
  • Do not leave the area while your vehicle is running.
  • Get a good car alarm
  • Add a car theft tracking device

According to the Insurance Information Institute (iii), in Massachusetts, there were 6,835 motor vehicle thefts in 2020. Don’t wait to take action, it could happen to you. Keep yourself and others safe. If you or someone you know is a victim of vehicle theft, follow these NHTSA-recommended steps:

  • Contact the police immediately to file a stolen vehicle report – you will need a copy of the police report and/or the case number to give to your insurance company. Be sure to provide the following information: license plate number, vehicle make, model and color, and vehicle identification number (VIN)
  • Contact your insurance company to file a claim within 24 hours of the vehicle being stolen.
  • If you find your vehicle before the authorities do, contact the police and your insurance company immediately.

The MassDOT Highway Assistance Program, sponsored by MAPFRE Insurance, is on patrol to help all motorists, including motorcyclists, on the roadways. Patrol operators monitor some of the state’s busiest highways around Metro Boston, Worcester, Springfield, and Cape Cod (seasonal). The Highway Assistance Patrol covers 13 major state and interstate highways, the Emergency Services Patrol covers the Mass Pike (I-90) from New York to Boston, and the Incident Response Operators cover the Metropolitan Highway System and tunnels. The Highway Assistance Patrol is on duty Monday through Friday from 6 am to 10 am and 3 pm to 7 pm During holidays, there are extended routes in high-traffic areas. On I-90 and in the Boston tunnel system, assistance is provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Written by

Your friends at Seguros MAPFRE

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