Protecting Yourself from Carjacking

Carjacking has risen in prevalence both locally and nationally.  According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, a division of The United States Department of Justice, carjacking is “completed or attempted robbery of a motor vehicle by a stranger to the victim. It differs from other motor vehicle theft because the victim is present and the offender uses or threatens to use force.”  According to their report, 93% of all carjackings occur in urban and suburban areas, and in 74% of the cases, the carjacker uses some kind of weapon.

Nashville-area NBC-affiliate News Channel 4 reported that in 2017, there were over 260 carjackings in Davidson County, which averages a carjacking roughly every 34 hours.  Patch noted two years ago a surprising reason for the rise of carjackings:  “the rise is due in part to an unintended consequence of anti-theft technology, of all things, according to experts. Proximity-sensing key fobs and other measures intended to hamstring auto thieves require the driver to be present to start the car’s engine, leading thieves to prefer carjacking to other means of auto theft.”

Another concern is that carjacking has become the crime of choice among young people.  Patch stated, “The age of offenders is getting lower, a factor experts say is because carjackings are seen as relatively easy to pull off and because guns are becoming easier for young people to acquire.”

How can you prevent yourself from becoming a victim?

1. Consider anti-theft protection for your car that allows you to shut off the ignition should you be approached by a carjacker.
2. Keep your doors locked and windows rolled up even when driving.
3. Don’t leave purses, briefcases, laptops, or anything that looks valuable in plain sight inside your vehicle.  Either hide them under the seats or put them in the trunk.
4. Be cognizant of your surroundings.  Check under your vehicle, behind it, and in the backseat windows for anyone who may be waiting to seize an opportunity.
5. Park in areas with good lighting and lots of people around.
6. Consider taking self-defense courses, as many now offer specific defenses for preventing carjackings.

No one thinks something like this can happen to him, and it still happens, even with the best of prevention.  Are you confident that you would be covered should something happen to your vehicle? Scott and his team of independent insurance agents have a quarter of a century of experience helping folks like the residents of Brentwood, Fairview, Franklin, Nashville, Spring Hill, and the greater Davidson and Williamson County areas get the protection they need when the best prevention fails.  Contact them today for coverage that won’t leave you stranded.