Page 3 - AAA Now! – AAA Northway – Fall 2020

INSURANCE SERVICES
FOUR KEYS TO PREVENT CAR THEFT
In some areas of the country, Vehicle theft is on the rise, possibly because more cars are parked because of COVID-19 travel restrictions. According to FBI data, a vehicle is stolen every 41 seconds and annual losses total $6 billion at an average of $8,407 per incident. “Anti-theft options are becoming more and more sophisticated, which can sometimes lead to a false
sense of security,” said Bruce Lant, Managing Director of AAA Club Insurance Services with AAA Northway. “Car thieves also are becoming more sophisticated. It’s important for car owners to take steps to protect their vehicles. For most of us, our cars are one of our largest investments – and something we depend on.” Using a little common sense and readily available theft prevention devices can minimize auto theft. The more layers of protection, the less likely your
car will be stolen. Keep these four keys to theft prevention in mind for your vehicle:
1. Awareness
Most vehicle thefts are easily preventable. Whenever you leave your car, take a moment to check that you have:
• Parked in a well-lit area
• Locked the doors and closed the windows
• Removed spare keys from inside the vehicle
• Move valuables and other items out of view
2. Deterrence
Vehicles that are easy to break into and allow for a quick getaway are attractive to thieves. Visible theft deterrents signal that your car could be difficult to steal. Consider using:
3. Immobilization
Immobilizing devices prevent a car from being hot-wired. Many late-model vehicles come with immobilization devices standard, and some after- market options are available for earlier model cars. These include:
• Smart keys
• Fuse cut-offs
• Kill switches
• Starter or fuel pump disablers
• Wireless ignition authentication systems
4. Tracking
A tracking device emits a signal to the police or a monitoring station when a vehicle is stolen. Tracking devices are very useful in helping authorities recover stolen vehicles. Some systems employ telematics, which combines GPS and wireless technologies
to allow remote monitoring of a vehicle. If the car is moved, the system will alert the owner and the vehicle can be tracked via computer.
Auto liability insurance is required in all 50 states, but coverage against theft – the comprehensive coverage – is optional. For more information, call your local AAA Insurance agent at 866-222-0937, click AAA.com/Insurance or visit your local AAA branch office.
• Steering wheel locks
• Brake pedal locks
• Theft-deterrent decals • Audible alarm systems
Josh Cseh
Schenectady & Halfmoon
518-831-1871
Ken Perinsky
Vestal
607-338-1199
Toni Tuttle
Queensbury
518-831-1867
Dennis Horton
Amsterdam
518-831-1869
Sarah Ashline
Plattsburgh
518-314-1619
Jeff Houghton
Saratoga
518-831-1864
Call today to learn how you may be able to save with your AAA discount.
We can handle all your insurance needs
As a member of AAA, you could save hundreds of dollars
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AAA Insurance is provided through Club Insurance Services LLC, which offer products through AAA-affiliated companies and non-affiliated companies.
Contact AAA Insurance for your free insurance checkup:
1-866-222-0937 AAA.com/Insurance
FALL 2020
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