Vandalism Safety Tips

How To Prevent Vandalism

Vehicle vandalism can be a costly affair. Most comprehensive insurance policies cover damage due to vandalism. But prevention is better than cure. Take all possible steps to prevent vandalism occurring in the first place, including:

• Keep all valuables out of sight, as they could tempt people prone to vandalism. Do not leave important documents inside the vehicle when it is parked in unsafe areas.
• Make photocopies of your driver's license, bank and credit card(s), passport and other valuable documents and store them in a safe place at home.
• Park your vehicle in well-lit areas.
• Lock all your vehicle doors and trunk.
• Inform your local law enforcement agency if you have to park your car in a public place for long periods of time. If you have a driveway or a garage, set up a security alarm.
• If your garage is detached from your home, install lighting between your home and the garage. Alternately, if you have only on-street parking, make sure your car is near a streetlight or other source of light that burns night long.
• Invest in a car cover even if it is a bit expensive. A full sized car cover can deter people habituated to vandalism.
• Install a steering wheel locking device. This will deter people from breaking a window to steal your car.

What To Do If Your Vehicle Is Vandalized

• Contact the nearest police station to ascertain if a vandalism report needs to be submitted.
• Contact a reliable auto glass repair agency to get your glass repaired or replaced. (If you need help finding a reputable auto glass repair shop, Glass.net can help you find one in your area.)
• Contact your auto insurance company to consult them about repair expenses claim
• If your wallet from inside the card is missing, immediately alert your bank to cancel credit cards and/or checks.
• If your vehicle keys are stolen, get a duplicate key done through a key maker.
• If your cell phone from inside the car is missing, alert your service provider.
• If your credit cards are missing, file a fraud report with all three credit agencies.

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