New High-tech Auto Theft Device Showing Up In The U.S.

From Long Beach, CA to Chicago, IL, thieves with no keys are breaking into automobiles with mysterious new high-tech hand-held box device. It appears this is the latest high-tech crime tool as cars have become “rolling computers.” Check out this news piece from CNN which was originally published on 6/21/13.

According to the California Highway Patrol, there were more than 700,000 auto thefts nationwide in 2011, with 156,796 occurring in California, the most for any state.

It’s important to know what to do if your vehicle is stolen. Here are a few suggestions:

1 – The best offense is a good defense. Consider purchasing comprehensive car insurance, which covers your vehicle if it is damaged in anything other than a collision. This includes auto theft, vandalism, floods, hailstorms and fire damage.

2 – Contact police immediately if your vehicle is stolen and file a report. The chances of recovering a stolen vehicle decreases as time passes.

3 – Be sure to have the following information when filing a claim with your insurance carrier:

• Policy number
• When and where you last saw your car (date, time and location)
• Year, make and model
• Vehicle identification number
• License plate number
• Police report number

4 – Be sure to list any additional valuables that were in your car at the time it was stolen.

5 – Offer photos of your car, if possible, to the police and your claims adjuster.

-JK