Report about Auto Theft by Ocean Habor insurance and the insurance Information Institute

On a publication by Ocean Harbor Insurance and the Insurance Information Institute from FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, there was an auto theft in every 45 seconds in the United States in 2015. Previous year’s statistic suggested that someone managed to steal one from every 349 vehicle in average. Highest odds of auto theft are in urban areas. According to Ocean Harbor, a vehicle becomes an easy target not only because it has high resale value in the black market, but also for the lack of safety features. Without adequate anti-theft devices, the car becomes difficult to track after the theft takes place. Most insurers encourage policyholders to install security equipment on their vehicles and offer discounts for them.

Crime rates in the areas where policyholders reside or park their vehicles also play important roles to determine premium rate due to probability of theft. In cases where insurance company finds a combination of minimum security features and high crime rate in one vehicle, the policyholder may need to pay higher insurance cost. There is always the option to leave out coverage protection for theft, but sometimes this is not a viable option for example when the policyholders still lease or finance their vehicles.

Tips To Prevent Auto Theft

• Use aftermarket security devices: the safety system that comes as standard option is easier to unlock than the aftermarket counterparts. Chances are the same car models of the same year from the same manufacturers have the same vehicle-theft protections. It only takes one vehicle for a thief to figure out any security hole or vulnerability in the device. On the other hand, there are numerous aftermarket systems from a lot of different brands. While every system is not always without weaknesses, it is often more sophisticated. Aftermarket theft-protection is more expensive, but it is worth the money.
• Reinforce old vehicles: in many cases, thieves get away with inexpensive cars because people assume that the main targets are sporty luxurious or exotic models. One of the worst (and best) things about old cars is that the manufacturer no longer makes the parts. Although the car, as a whole unit, does not sell at high price, there is high demand for the parts and thieves are well aware of that. People do not care enough about their less expensive cars, and this is why thieves target them the most.
• Roadside assistant coverage: as an optional item, Roadside Assistant is an easy coverage to leave out in insurance policy. This is not an expensive coverage with most companies, but it has an undeniable usefulness. In the event of engine breakdown, there is no need to leave the car in the middle of nowhere due to expensive tow service. Roadside Assistant makes sure there is always someone to help take it to a safe place.
• Check the policy: read everything in the insurance policy and make sure theft protection is there. Comprehensive coverage should include "theft" as one of the perils. Comprehensive is optional, but there are many good reasons why everyone should purchase it. In addition to theft, other perils under this coverage include fire and vandalism.
• Park in safe location: despite the bells and whistles with anti-theft devices, the best deterrent is the simplest one: park in well-lit areas; if possible, park the car in plain sight. It is hard to resist temptation to park a spot near an exit door, but let us not forget that thieves also prefer such location.
• LoJack:car owners all over the country spend millions of dollars on safety devices.Electronic tracker (for example LoJack) is one of the most effective devices to recover stolen vehicles with success rate of up to 90 percent. It uses hidden transmitter to allow law enforcement officers to track the vehicles’ whereabouts at any given time. Another good thing is that the device helps police locate chop shops. LoJack is operable in 26 states and District of Columbia.

Insurance Protection and Discounts

People get premium discounts not only because they are loyal insurance customers; a multitude of factors can affect price for examples DMV records, address, age, and annual mileage. When an insurer finds the right combination of factors based on which the premium rates make no financial sense for a customer, the company often rejects to provide protections at all. In such situation, non-standard insurance market can be the only place to go. This market is for high-risk drivers who cannot acquire insurance policies with standard requirements.

People who live in an area with high crime rate (and have bad DMV history) can fall into high-risk category. Even if someone is a loyal insurance customer, the company has the right to deny application/renewal for various reasons. As unfair as it may seem, such practice is not illegal. Vulnerability to theft does not seem to be the main reason for disapproval, but it can contribute to the decision anyway.

Price for insurance policy from non-standard insurance market is more expensive than normal rate. However, it offers an easy solution for high-risk drivers. Ocean Harbor Insurance is one of the most reputable companies in this market, from which customers get easy approval regardless of DMV records and credit score. Ocean harbor’s offices are accessible in public locations such as shopping centers, street corners, grocery stores, and commercial buildings. It allows for direct communication between policyholders and agents, and this is why the company has a loyal insurance customer base in every state it operates.

I am content writer for long time. I have experience 5 years.