Carjacking - It Can Happen to You?

It all depends on where you live. The National Insurance Crime Bureau's (NICB) states that California is home of six of the top 10 auto theft locations in the nation. This doesn't mean that people living away from the California area are not in danger. It does mean that everyone should be aware that carjacking is a serious problem.

Nancy Price, regional vice president of GEICO's San Diengo Location, works to protect consumers and prevent fraud. GEICO works to help customers prevent car theft before it happens. The discouraging fact about car theft is that it is usually caused by negligence on the car owner's part.

Even with insurance prices rising and the number of car thefts increasing, people still drive with their car doors unlocked, windows down enough that someone can stick an arm in. Even if they cannot stick their arm in, they may toss in something that forces the drive to stop the car. This goes along with leaving keys in cars. Everyone knows they shouldn't leave keys in the ignition, but they still leave them around the car. It only takes a few seconds for an experienced car thief to find hidden keys.

Woman are starting to park in well lit, busy areas, but men continue to look for parking spots that are convenient.. Fact: Thieves prefer to work in the dark. And, starting your car and driving away is not the only way to steal a car. Cars can also be towed unless they are left in gear or park and with their wheels turned toward the curb. It only takes a moment to check the back seat, around other cars, and scan the parking lot before approaching your car.

I personally know people who have had cell phones, lap tops, purses, and even a box of video games stolen from their car. But did you ever consider that both your car's registration and insurance are also valuable? If you must leave them in the car, put them where a carjacker cannot show them when stopped by the police. A police officer may suspect a car, but when the registration is shown, the thief makes 'clean break.'

Anti-theft systems have been on the market for years. There are several different ones available at reasonable prices. The bar that locks the steering wheel is easy for everyone to use, and visible to potential thieves. There are also ignition cut-off systems that prevent cars from being started. Then, there is a vast array of car alarms. Some newer cars even come with a passive alarm that automatically starts when the key is removed. One of the best is the alarms that emit a signal. Car thieves are less likely to steal a car that can be tracked.

Contact your insurance company and discuss these different types of systems before installing one. Some companies offer discounts for different types of security systems, so it is best to find one that is approved by your insurance company.
Another means of protection is to etch your car's registration on all the windows. Car thieves do not want to steal a car that needs all the windows replaced.

Bump and Rob

This is where carjackers bump your car and steal it when you get out to look for damage. To prevent this, make sure that you avoid getting 'locked in' traffic, especially at lights, and do not be too quick to get out of your car. If you are afraid or suspicious, then call the police and pull into a safe place.

When confronted by a carjacker, do not resist. Cars can be replaced; you can't.

Insurance Companies

Take time to find a good insurance company. We went with a local, cheaper guy. When our van was stolen we lost everything. The insurance company had so many out clauses that the car would have had to be stolen when we were in it, on a Sunday afternoon, between the hours of 1 and 4, and by an illegal alien, for us to get paid - okay it wasn't that bad. We now go with a reputable company.


GEIKO provides auto insurance quotes for all 50 states, and offer a one stop comparison shop for auto insurance. More important than saving us money, which they will, we now have a policy that will pay us no matter where our car is when stolen, or where we were when the car was stolen. The do offer free auto insurance quotes and can give you proof of insurance in 15 minutes. The web site is simple and quick to use, there is also a call center if you want to phone in. Some states even have a representative that you can talk to. Don't wait to find out after a carjacking that 'not all insurance company's REALLY insure your car.'