Christmas: The Season for Stealing

VANCOUVER - December 18, 2008 - For some people, shopping is one of the least enjoyable pastimes of the Christmas holidays, but for hardworking thieves, it's the best. That's because thieves are aware that you are moving from crowded shop to shop, racking up the purchases and storing bags of goodies in your vehicle - and many of those purchases are high in value.
 
More than 1500 thieves will break into Vancouver cars, some as quickly as 30 seconds. The goods they are after include laptops, MP3 players, digital cameras, jewelry and more. Just the sight of a single bag or knapsack could be just the invitation a crook needs to break into your car.

"Thieves are closely watching and will use any and every opportunity as shoppers let their guards down this holiday season," said Fraser Lyle, President of Insurance Brokers Association of B.C. and broker with offices in Surrey and Abbotsford. "The consumer's best bet is to beat them at their own game by being proactive and preventative."
 
When parking
 
Where you park could prevent vehicle theft. Here are some tips to consider:
 
Stay away from areas or parking lots that contain breaking glass. According to the Vancouver Police department, broken glass indicates that a car was recently broken into and thieves are or have been working in the area. It could also indicate that the lot is not regularly maintained or monitored. At the end of the day, do you really want to take the chance?

Signs of graffiti are also indicative of an unsecure area. This boils down to the fact that if someone can spray paint a wall without getting caught, it's also very likely that they can break into your car undetected.

Metered parking lots tell thieves how much time they have to break into your car before you return. It also likely means that the lot is not monitored, giving thieves the privacy they need to break in.
 
When shopping
 
When you're looking for the perfect gift for you-know-who, thieves are looking for the perfect shopper. Here are some tips when shopping:
 
Don't leave valuables or even bags in your vehicle while you shop (or at all). The sight of this inside your car can attract a thief after you have gone.
Don't leave items in your trunk, thieves can easily see these being loaded into your car.
 
When at home
 
When it comes to Christmas and Christmas presents, thieves are no Grinches and will stop at nothing to get the goods. Some tips to consider for enjoying Christmas at home:
 
Be careful with recycling and disposing of gift boxes. This can be a tell-tale sign for thieves of what high-valued items they can steal from your home.
If you are away for the holidays, be sure to stop your mail delivery or have someone collect it for you.
Consider having someone park in your driveway occasionally so that your home looks occupied.

If you do have the misfortune to have had expensive items stolen from your car, talk to your broker. Damage to your car would be claimed against your comprehensive insurance policy, which is additional, optional coverage provided by ICBC and private insurers; your mandatory Basic Autoplan policy does not cover theft. The stolen items may have to be claimed against your homeowner's, condo or tenant's policy, and separate deductibles and limits would apply.

About IBABC

The Insurance Brokers Association of B.C. serves as the voice of the general insurance brokerage industry and promotes its members as the premier distributors of insurance products and services in British Columbia. IBABC is the primary provider of pre-licensing and continuing professional education for the general insurance brokers in B.C. IBABC represents the interests of the public and its member brokers to government and to industry stakeholders. 

IBABC represents in excess of 700 property and casualty insurance brokerages that in turn employ more than 8,000 people in approximately 140 B.C. communities. Member offices are the consumer's choice for the vast majority of all property and casualty insurance policies and premiums written in the province. Consumer satisfaction with their insurance brokers is high. In survey after survey, consumers report that they value their brokers' knowledge, professional advice, unbiased review of their needs and coverage options, and service and advocacy in the event of a claim. IBABC member brokerages have an average of 13 staff members and therefore fit within the small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) category. 

Enquiries should be directed to switchboard at 604.606.8000.

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