KaaBOOM
12-14-2005, 09:34 PM
Avoid Joining the Thousands of Americans Victimized by Auto Theft and Break- Ins Around the Holidays
http://www.statefarm.com :redlaser:
State Farm(R) Offers Advice on Ways to Protect Yourself Now and Year-Round
BLOOMINGTON, Ill., Dec. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- It's important to take extra
precautions to protect your car around the holidays, since vehicles filled
with expensive holiday purchases can make the payoff extra sweet for a car
thief.
According to claim statistics from State Farm(R), which insures more
vehicles than any other company in the United States, nearly 7,000 customers
reported their cars stolen between Thanksgiving and the end of the year in
2004. That means almost 200 customers experienced a stolen car every day
during the holidays last year. State Farm also receives thousands of reports
of automobile break-ins during the holidays.
"At the State Farm Vehicle Research Facility, we work with the major
automakers to influence design changes that will help to deter thieves. We
regularly dismantle new automobile models and report back to the manufacturers
on ways they can make their cars harder to steal, safer and easier to repair,"
said Earl Hyser, superintendent of the State Farm Vehicle Research Facility.
"Although dozens upon dozens of anti-theft improvements influenced by State
Farm are on the road today, drivers must still take it upon themselves to make
their vehicle an unattractive target."
Hyser, a recognized industry expert on automobile theft prevention, says
drivers can decrease their chance of becoming a victim by following some
simple tips that will make their vehicle less attractive to steal. The State
Farm Vehicle Research Facility recommends a layered approach to keeping
yourself from becoming an auto theft or break-in victim:
-- Lock your car and take the keys with you.
-- Never leave the car running with the keys in the ignition, even for
just a minute or two.
-- Never hide a key in or around your car. Thieves know where to find
them.
-- Park in well-lit areas.
-- Keep valuables, such as bags full of gifts out of sight. Be mindful
of cell phones, CDs, wallets and other valuables you might leave in
the storage areas around the driver's compartment.
-- Lock both your garage and your car inside.
-- To prevent towing thefts:
-- If parking on the street, turn the wheels toward the curb and set
your parking brake.
-- If parking in a lot or driveway front-wheel drive cars should pull
into the space normally (front-first), rear-wheel drive cars should
back into the space. Apply the parking brake and lock the vehicle.
-- If you live in a high-crime area, consider buying an additional theft
protection device.
-- When shopping for a new vehicle, look for some key features, such as:
-- A factory immobilizer (a computer chip in the key).
-- A locking steering wheel.
-- And other anti-theft devices, such as an alarm or GPS tracking
system.
About State Farm
State Farm(R) insures more cars than any other insurer in North America
and is the leading U.S. home insurer. State Farm's 17,000 agents and 69,000
employees serve nearly 73 million auto, fire, life and health policies in the
United States and Canada. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is
the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 19
on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please
visit http://www.statefarm.com (R) or in Canada http://www.statefarm.ca (TM).
SOURCE State Farm
Web Site: http://www.statefarm.com
Issuers of news releases and not PR Newswire are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.
Terms and conditions, including restrictions on redistribution, apply.
Copyright © 1996-2005 PR Newswire Association LLC. All Rights Reserved.
A United Business Media company.
http://www.statefarm.com :redlaser:
State Farm(R) Offers Advice on Ways to Protect Yourself Now and Year-Round
BLOOMINGTON, Ill., Dec. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- It's important to take extra
precautions to protect your car around the holidays, since vehicles filled
with expensive holiday purchases can make the payoff extra sweet for a car
thief.
According to claim statistics from State Farm(R), which insures more
vehicles than any other company in the United States, nearly 7,000 customers
reported their cars stolen between Thanksgiving and the end of the year in
2004. That means almost 200 customers experienced a stolen car every day
during the holidays last year. State Farm also receives thousands of reports
of automobile break-ins during the holidays.
"At the State Farm Vehicle Research Facility, we work with the major
automakers to influence design changes that will help to deter thieves. We
regularly dismantle new automobile models and report back to the manufacturers
on ways they can make their cars harder to steal, safer and easier to repair,"
said Earl Hyser, superintendent of the State Farm Vehicle Research Facility.
"Although dozens upon dozens of anti-theft improvements influenced by State
Farm are on the road today, drivers must still take it upon themselves to make
their vehicle an unattractive target."
Hyser, a recognized industry expert on automobile theft prevention, says
drivers can decrease their chance of becoming a victim by following some
simple tips that will make their vehicle less attractive to steal. The State
Farm Vehicle Research Facility recommends a layered approach to keeping
yourself from becoming an auto theft or break-in victim:
-- Lock your car and take the keys with you.
-- Never leave the car running with the keys in the ignition, even for
just a minute or two.
-- Never hide a key in or around your car. Thieves know where to find
them.
-- Park in well-lit areas.
-- Keep valuables, such as bags full of gifts out of sight. Be mindful
of cell phones, CDs, wallets and other valuables you might leave in
the storage areas around the driver's compartment.
-- Lock both your garage and your car inside.
-- To prevent towing thefts:
-- If parking on the street, turn the wheels toward the curb and set
your parking brake.
-- If parking in a lot or driveway front-wheel drive cars should pull
into the space normally (front-first), rear-wheel drive cars should
back into the space. Apply the parking brake and lock the vehicle.
-- If you live in a high-crime area, consider buying an additional theft
protection device.
-- When shopping for a new vehicle, look for some key features, such as:
-- A factory immobilizer (a computer chip in the key).
-- A locking steering wheel.
-- And other anti-theft devices, such as an alarm or GPS tracking
system.
About State Farm
State Farm(R) insures more cars than any other insurer in North America
and is the leading U.S. home insurer. State Farm's 17,000 agents and 69,000
employees serve nearly 73 million auto, fire, life and health policies in the
United States and Canada. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is
the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 19
on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please
visit http://www.statefarm.com (R) or in Canada http://www.statefarm.ca (TM).
SOURCE State Farm
Web Site: http://www.statefarm.com
Issuers of news releases and not PR Newswire are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.
Terms and conditions, including restrictions on redistribution, apply.
Copyright © 1996-2005 PR Newswire Association LLC. All Rights Reserved.
A United Business Media company.