Insurance is one of those types of expenditure that we tend to view as annoying rather than of use. Of course, we know that it is important – especially when we are insuring expensive and reassured property such as a car. There are different types of car insurance in the USA, and in this article, we will try and explain whether or not your car will be covered should it be stolen. So, let`s get down to business and check the car insurance on vehicle theft.
Types of Car Insurance
When looking for car insurance it is strongly advised that you talk to a broker with expertise in the field. They will not only find you the best deal, but also the one that provides the cover you need. For example, you could save a lot of money and take out what is known as a `third party` policy. This sort of policy is there to pay your costs if your car is involved in an accident that causes damage to another vehicle or person. However, it does not cover the loss of your car by theft.
For that you need a third party and theft policy or indeed the strongest type, the comprehensive policy. The latter will cover theft, theft from the car, damage to the car and others, and often the likes of windscreen repair and sometimes breakdown and recovery services. The problem is that there are so many different insurance packages it can become confusing to uncover what and what is not included.
That`s where the broker comes in. Tell them what you want your policy to include, and they will build the right package for you. Finally, in this section, while most states require a driver to have the bare minimum of insurance cover, we strongly advise you include theft, and the next two sections should tell you why.
Is Car Theft Common?
If we take a look at car theft statistics in the USA from 1990 until now we can see that there was a steady decline – until the last couple of years. Much of the reason for the fall in car theft figures was due to better locking and security systems on cars. Up until the 1990`s it was amazingly simple to break into a car and `hotwire` it, and simply drive away. Or, if not interested in the car, take what`s of value and disappear. Car theft is on the rise again, so let`s look at the makes and models that are most often stolen in the USA.
Is My Car at Risk?
If TV shows and the movies are anything to go by, car thieves target expensive, exclusive Bentleys, Ferraris, Porsches, and the like. But that`s far from the truth. Your average car thief is looking for less conspicuous vehicles that can have their identity changed and be sold on without raising suspicion. Here`s a list of the most stolen vehicles in the USA over the past few years:
1. Honda Civic -- Number of Thefts: 38,426
2. Honda Accord -- Number of Thefts: 36,815
3. (Full-size) Ford Pickup -- Number of Thefts: 36,355
4. (Full-size) Chevrolet Pickup -- Number of Thefts: 31,566
5. Toyota Camry -- Number of Thefts: 16,906
6. Nissan Altima -- Number of Thefts: 13,284
7. Toyota Corolla -- No. of Thefts: 12,388
8. (Full size) GMC Pickup- No. of Thefts: 11,708
9. (Full size) Dodge Pickup- No. of Thefts: 11,226
10. Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee -- No. of Thefts: 9,818
As you can see, that`s simply a list of some of the most popular cars in America! So, make sure you have insurance cover that includes theft, keep your car locked, and don`t leave valuable items where they can be seen.
