Professional car thieves with power tools can strip a car down to its skeleton in just a few minutes. Find out what you can do to make your car less appealing to crooks.
I once saw the Philadelphia Police Department’s Major Crimes Auto Theft Unit sponsor a demonstration by the Allstate insurance company outside of City Hall in Philadelphia.
Called “Stripped in Seconds,” three Allstate technicians went to work, stripping down a 1999 Honda Civic in front of a crowd of more than 200 people. A large digital clock was displayed and counted down the time it took the three technicians to strip the car down to a shell.
Brett Ludwig, the Allstate emcee, told the assembled crowd that car parts are worth more than the whole car, which is why car thieves generally strip down stolen cars. The stripped parts are then sold on the black market.
I watched in awe as the three technicians stripped the Honda of its hood, truck, front and rear bumpers, and the doors. Then they went to work on the interior of the car. Using only hand tools, they pulled out the seats and then dismantled the headlights and the taillights. They then jacked up the car and removed the tires.
In less than five minutes, the remnant of a car looked as if it belonged in a combat zone. The technicians were given a round of applause. Ludwig then said that professional thieves with power tools can do the same job in half the time. That news was not encouraging.
A car is an essential tool for many small business owners. Even if the business owner is fully insured, the theft of their car is a huge business setback, as well as a personal violation.
Allstate also suggests that drivers make sure they have the proper insurance coverage in the event they find themselves a victim of auto theft. Auto theft is covered under the comprehensive section of an auto insurance policy. If one’s vehicle is stolen, report it to the police immediately.
Disclaimer: The content on this page is for informational purposes only, and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.
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