Consumer Alert

Contact: Karl Newman, President
Darrin Sanger, Communications Director     

Washington Insurance Council    
Phone: (206) 624-3330
Fax: (206) 624-1975
karl.newman@wiconline.org
darrin.sanger@wiconline.org

Safeguard your car, gifts from car prowlers

SEATTLE – Friday is the biggest shopping day of the year.  Big sales, crowded stores and grinch-like car prowlers stealing gifts from unattended cars.

Shoppers should take extra precautions as they shop from store to store and get in and out of their vehicles.

“Break-ins from car prowlers definitely go up this time of the year,” said Det. Gene McNaughton, Seattle Police Department’s Auto Theft Division.  “But, there are some things people can do to reduce the risk of a break-in.”

Here are a few tips from McNaughton and the Washington Insurance Council to help you shop:

• Double check to make sure your doors are locked.
• Whenever possible, store gifts and other valuables in your trunk.  If this is not possible, throw a blanket over gifts and other purchased goods before you leave your vehicle unattended.
• Don’t go back and forth from stores to your vehicle to unload gifts.  Car prowlers often watch for shoppers who leave gifts in their vehicles unattended.

Any of these safety precautions will drastically “cut down the chances of break-ins,” McNaughton said. Most homeowners insurance and renters insurance policies will cover the loss of personal belongings such as recently purchased gifts.  However, consumers are reminded to check their policies or call their insurance agents.

For more information on car prowlers and vehicle break-ins, contact the Washington Insurance Council at (206) 624-3330.

The Washington Insurance Council is a nonprofit, consumer education organization funded by member insurance companies.

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