Nov. 8 Texas’ Top Day for Car Break-Ins

Roll up the windows and store valuables out of sight. More Texas cars and trucks are broken into on Nov. 8 than any other day – according to Allstate Insurance Company. The insurer looked at its Texas claims over the last three years (2010-2012) and found more smash and grabs occur on Nov. 8 than any other day. Allstate Insurance Company encourages holiday shoppers to lock their vehicles and hide their valuables.

“Whether we’re nearing the holiday shopping season like today or running everyday errands,” says Jeff Baird, an Allstate agency owner in North Texas. “By letting our guard down and leaving valuables in plain sight, the car becomes a target for parking lot predators.”

In-vehicle theft is not stealing the entire car; it’s the smash-and-grab of items left inside. Texas police say top items on a thief’s shopping list include laptop computers, purses, wallets, tablets and smart phones.

“Never leave anything in the car that you can’t afford to lose,” says Frisco Police Sgt. Brad Merritt. Allstate agrees.

Many Texans assume incorrectly that auto insurance covers the cost of in-vehicle theft. Generally, that’s only if what’s stolen was factory-installed. Personal property inside or on the car– bikes, cell phones, backpacks–is typically covered by homeowners, renters or condo policies. Apartment dwellers can find themselves totally unprotected if they don’t have renters insurance.

Source: Allstate