Prevent Auto Crime
(from the Kelowna RCMP and Insurance Corporation of British Columbia)
DID YOU KNOW....
Auto crime hurts a lot of people every year in British Columbia. The cost in claims
alone total more than $150 million per year. Victims lost time, property replacement,
vehicle rental, and insurance deductible add even more.
Take Some Tips From Us
- ALWAYS close windows and lock doors
- CHOOSE well-lit areas to park near pedestrian traffic
- INSTALL an anti-theft device, and advertise it with a window decal
- ENGRAVE your drivers license number on items like auto stereos and cell phones
- DISPLAY a sticker indication your valuables are marked for identification
- REPORT any suspicious person around a vehicle to your local police
- LEAVE NOTHING in sight - absolutely nothing
- TAKE possessions with you
- REMOVE garage door opener
- ENROL in the C.A.T. program
PREVENTION
Prevention is the best way to lower auto crime costs. For your own protection, please
secure your vehicle, night and day. Keep your spare key in your wallet, not on the
vehicle and remove all your belongings.
LOCK OUT AUTO CRIME TIPS
Many thefts occur between the hours of 1 am and 5 am. If you dont usually drive
during these hours, you may wish to enroll in Combat Auto Theft (CAT). The CAT decal
tells police to pull over and question anyone driving your vehicle during that period.
Applications are available at ICBC Claims Centres and Community Policing Offices
as well as through the ICBC website,
http://www.icbc.com.
- Always lock your vehicles doors. (This reduces the time a thief has to work on the
ignition).
- Park in well-lit and well travelled areas. Keep your vehicle away from fencing or
shrubs that could conceal a break-in.
- Dont leave your keys in the ignition and dont keep spare keys in or on your vehicle.
- If you park in a secured parking lot wait for the gate to close before proceeding.
LOCK OUT AUTO CRIME
Next time you park look inside your vehicle and see what tempting items youve left
in sight. Loose change, a shopping or sports bag, even an old coat can make your
vehicle an easy target. And thieves always cause damage when they break into a vehicle.
Think of the time it takes to make a claim and repair the damage. And if you make
a claim you will have to pay the insurance deductable. Auto theft can happen to
anyone at any time. And while in the hands of a thief, your vehicle is likely to
lose its stereo, the contents of the glove compartment - even the seats. Remember
if your car is stolen once it could easily happen again. Closing your windows and
locking your doors is only the first step to prevention, Consider buying an anti-theft
device. Check out our brochure How to Buy a Better Anti-theft device available at
your local ICBC claim centre or participating retailer.
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