Why do thieves steal car batteries?

Why do thieves steal car batteries?

As long as they can get the hood open, car batteries are pretty easy for thieves to remove and then sell. That makes them a common target for thieves, right alongside catalytic converters, which are one of the most stolen car components.

How to secure a car battery

Replacing a stolen car battery can be a hassle. Here are a few tips to help you prevent battery theft:

• Buy a battery lockbox: Installing a battery lock box won’t prevent would-be thieves from popping the hood, but they will have to work harder to get the battery out.
• Get an alarm: Place window alarms under the hood so they go off when someone opens it. Hopefully, the sound will be enough to prevent battery theft.
• Use a hood lock: Get a hood lock that further secures the hood.
• Rethink how you park: Park in a spot that makes it challenging for someone to gain access to the car or may be too public to risk a theft.
• Install a security camera: The presence of visible security cameras may help with car battery theft prevention.
  

  

• Enlist your neighbors: Alert your neighbors to a recent theft or attempt so they can be on the lookout for anything suspicious.

 

What to do when someone steals your car battery

The first thing you should do is file a police report. You may not get your battery back, but reporting the incident lets police in your area know to be on the lookout for the perpetrators, especially if such thefts are becoming frequent.

 

Should I file an insurance claim for a stolen car battery?

If your comprehensive car insurance deductible is higher than the cost to replace the battery, then it’s generally not worth filing a claim. But if the thief scratched the paint or damaged the hood, the repair bill may be much higher.

In that case, it might make sense to file an auto insurance claim. But first, you need to determine the cost of a new battery and get a quote for any other repairs. Compare the total to your car insurance deductible to decide whether filing a claim is worth it.

When do you pay a car insurance deductible?

You pay your deductible any time you file a claim under a coverage that carries a deductible, assuming the damage is covered and costs more than your deductible amount. If your claim is approved, your deductible will typically be applied when your insurance company issues your payout. You generally don’t have to write a check or make a payment to your insurer. They simply subtract your deductible amount from your claim’s approved payout.

Suppose you have a claim approved for $5,000, and your deductible is $250. In that case, your insurance company will issue you a check for $4,750.

Do I pay a deductible if I hit a car?

If you cause an accident but don’t damage your car, you won’t pay a deductible. In this scenario, your liability coverage would pay for the other driver’s injuries and property damage, which doesn’t carry a deductible.

However, if your vehicle is damaged in the accident, and you decide to file a collision claim, then you would pay your collision deductible.

Do I pay a car insurance deductible if I’m not at fault?

If the other driver is officially deemed at fault, their insurance company can pay for your repairs if you file them, and you won’t have to pay your deductible. If you have collision coverage, you can also choose to go through your own insurer, who will seek reimbursement (including your deductible) from the other driver’s insurance company. In situations where fault is shared, you may end up paying all or part of your auto insurance deductible.

Keep in mind, if an uninsured or underinsured driver hits you, a deductible may apply to your uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage coverage in certain states.

 

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

While versions of Mother’s Day are celebrated worldwide, traditions vary depending on the country. In Thailand, for example, Mother’s Day is always celebrated in August on the birthday of the current queen, Sirikit.

Another alternate observance of Mother’s Day can be found in Ethiopia, where families gather each fall to sing songs and eat a large feast as part of Antrosht, a multi-day celebration honoring motherhood.

In the United States, Mother’s Day continues to be celebrated by presenting mothers and other women with gifts and flowers, and it has become one of the biggest holidays for consumer spending. Families also celebrate by giving mothers a day off from activities like cooking or other household chores.

At times, Mother’s Day has also been a date for launching political or feminist causes. In 1968 Coretta Scott King, wife of Martin Luther King Jr., used Mother’s Day to host a march in support of underprivileged women and children. In the 1970s women’s groups also used the holiday as a time to highlight the need for equal rights and access to childcare.