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Want to Save Money? Think: Prevention.

Honestly, one of the ways to consistently save money in your life is through prevention. If you can take the measures now to ensure certain things are in order, you’ll definitely save money in the long run. Hence, the existence of different types of insurance. If you have read this blog for any period of time, you know I extol the value of buying insurance (especially health insurance). Being caught uninsured can only lead to ever-increasing costs–and stressful headaches–down the road.

In addition to health, life, and home insurance, it’s important to not only have automotive insurance, but to make sure you keep your payments current and that you’re getting the best bang for your buck. (The only way to guarantee this is by doing your research. Another value whose virtues I extol on this blog. My mantra: Research, research, research.)

But, I digress. Back to the idea of prevention. We often take car of our cars when that check engine light comes on. We change the oil every 3,000 miles. We wash our cars. Each of these is a preventative measure. Too often though, many of us don’t take the necessary precautions that might prevent our cars from being stolen or the headaches that ensue if our cars our robbed.

I came across the following helpful hints from Geico. Some preventative measures that can keep you save and, possibly, limit your financial loss if your car is stolen. My responses/comments are in parenthesis.

• Keep your vehicle locked at all times, even while driving. Close all windows and sunroofs, no matter how hot it is. (I live in L.A. My car is locked at all times. The windows and sunroofs however, are sometimes open. It’s hot. I live in L.A.)
• Never leave your keys in the car. (What is this? 1963? Who leaves their keys in their car?)
• Avoid leaving valuables inside your vehicle where passersby can see them. (Sometimes, I leave things out for the world to see. I need to get better with this.)
• Install an anti-theft system in your vehicle if it doesn’t have one. A mechanism that locks onto the steering wheel can be a very visible sign that you’ve taken steps to protect your vehicle. Ignition cut-off systems prevent a car from being started. Some new cars come with passive alarms that activate automatically when the key is removed from the ignition. One system emits a signal that can be tracked by the police. Thieves are reluctant to steal vehicles that can be tracked and recovered quickly. Many insurers offer discounts for these types of systems. (That last line is important. Spend a little money now to save a lot down the road.)
• Beware of the “bump-and-rob” technique. Carjackers bump your car from the rear, then steal it when you get out to look for damage. When stopped at a traffic light, leave room to maneuver around the vehicle ahead if you need to. If another car bumps yours and you feel threatened, drive to a populated area. If you have a cell phone, call the police for assistance. (Have you heard of this? Terrifying. I’ve also heard that insurance fraud is being committed by people who work together driving two different cars. The car in front of you will slam on his brakes causing you to stop abruptly…but the driver behind you–who is in cahoots with the car in front of you–rear ends you because of your unsafe driving. How ridiculous is this?)
• Do not leave registration or title in the car. Too often a car thief is pulled over and gets away from the police because he or she can produce the auto registration. If multiple drivers use the vehicle, the best suggestion would be to hide the registration in a secret location that only the owners know. (Interesting…never thought of this.)
• If confronted by a carjacker, do not resist. Cars can be replaced; you can’t. (As stated above: I live in L.A. I am ready to walk away from the scene. Car-less, yes. But alive.)
• Have your car’s vehicle identification number (VIN) etched on each of the windows. Car thieves want to get off cheap. They don’t want to go to the expense of replacing all the glass. (How much would this cost?)

Some things to think about and ponder. I can’t imagine the frustration of having your car stolen. In fact, I have to clean my car out tomorrow, just to make sure no important papers or objects are in it. Sometimes I hate living in the city!