Insurance Agency | Massachusetts | C. Pina Insurance Agency - Blog #Teen DriversInsurance Agency | Massachusetts | C. Pina Insurance Agency - Blog #Teen Drivershttps://cpinainsure.zohosites.com/blogs/tag/teen-driversWed, 06 May 2026 09:36:02 -0700http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[Does Your Auto Policy Cover Theft and Vandalism?]]>https://cpinainsure.zohosites.com/blogs/post/How-To-Prevent-Car-Break-Ins1

Your car is parked safely in the parking lot as you run into the grocery store – but when you return you find that your vehicle has been broken into and your belongings inside were stolen. One of the first questions you ask yourself is, “does auto insurance cover theft?”

Whether or not insurance covers theft can vary depending on the situation and the type of auto insurance you have. Comprehensive coverage will usually cover theft, as well as repair costs from break-in damages. Liability insurance likely won't cover theft, as it usually protects against bodily injury and property damage resulting from an accident.

Let's explore a few different scenarios to give you a better idea of what your car insurance will cover in the event of car theft.

Car theft and insurance scenarios

Scenario 1: Your car was damaged as a result of a break-in.

If you have comprehensive coverage, you’re in luck. Comprehensive insurance will typically cover repair costs for your vehicle, which may include:

  1. Broken door locks
  2. Smashed windows
  3. Broken ignition system

Scenario 2: Your car was stolen.

This situation also depends on the type of car insurance you have. If you have comprehensive coverage, your vehicle’s value will be covered.

Scenario 3: Your personal items were stolen from your car.

So, does car insurance cover stolen items? Unfortunately, it does not. Comprehensive auto insurance will only cover the components and features that are permanent, pre-installed parts of the car. It will not cover your own personal belongings left inside, such as an iPod or wallet. However, these items would likely be covered by a homeowners or renters insurance policy. If your car were stolen with personal items inside, you would need to file two different claims – one through your auto insurance and one through your homeowners insurance.

Does car insurance cover vandalism?

As long as you follow the appropriate steps, comprehensive car insurance will provide coverage in the unfortunate event your vehicle is vandalized. Here are the actions you should take immediately following the incident:

  1. Call the police to report the vandalism, as your car insurance company will require you to file a police report.
  2. Make note of all damages to your car and take pictures to document the destruction.
  3. Contact your auto insurance company to submit a claim. You will need to have the list of damages you compiled, pictures of the damages, and a list of any items that were stolen.


Taking the proper precautions will help to keep your car safe and reduce your chances of theft or vandalism. Get tips on how to prevent these situations in the future.

]]>Tue, 07 Feb 2023 14:34:06 -0500<![CDATA[How To Prevent Car Break-Ins]]>https://cpinainsure.zohosites.com/blogs/post/How-To-Prevent-Car-Break-InsOne of the most infuriating things that can happen to a car owner – and it’s one of the most common forms of larceny in the U.S. The “smash-and-grab” ]]>

One of the most infuriating things that can happen to a car owner – and it’s one of the most common forms of larceny in the U.S. The “smash-and-grab” car break-in. They don’t even steal your whole car, just the valuable items in it – which you then have to painstakingly replace while dealing with the arduous and costly car-repair process.

While there’s no way to 100% deter these kinds of thieves, there are some common-sense steps you can take to make your vehicle a much less appealing target. Above all, thieves look for opportunities. Make them “work” for their pilfered prizes, and they’ll most likely just forget it and move on to an easier target.

Theft prevention starts before you even leave your vehicle

Smash-and-grab thieves typically aren’t criminal masterminds who craft clever schemes to swipe your stuff. Most are casual opportunists. They see something they like, so they break in and take it. So before you get out of your car, make sure your valuables are out of sight. Never leave these things lying out on your seats, dashboard or floor:

  • Phone 
  • Purse or wallet 
  • Laptop (or its bag)
  • A briefcase or backpack 
  • Shopping bags 
  • An MP3 player or other small electronics 
  • CDs if you still use them
  • Cash – yes, even loose change/coins
  • Your keys – it actually happens!

Car smash-and-grabs happen out of sight

Most thieves go solo. The last thing they want is a crowd of onlookers with cell phones and pepper spray ready. So try to keep your car highly visible:

  • Park near other people. Go for busy lots where there’s plenty of pedestrian and vehicle traffic. 
  • If you'll be away from your car after dark, park in a well-lit area or near a lamppost. 
  • Choose a lot with an attendant over one without.

Discourage thieves with anti-theft measures

Thieves are also lazy. With car break-ins, they’re usually not looking for a huge payoff. What this type of thief wants is a quick thrill – or maybe a little extra revenue – for as little work as possible. By making your car a harder target for these people, you make it less desirable. So:

  • Always lock your doors and roll up your windows when you park. 
  • Activate your security system if you have one. 
  • Consider window tinting (if permitted by local laws), since it makes casing your car more difficult. 
  • Use after-market measures, like mechanisms that lock the steering wheel to protect your car and alert thieves that you've taken extra security measures.
  • Don’t use the console or glove box as mobile lock boxes. These are obvious to thieves, too.
  • Don't hand them the keys

Again, car smash-and-grabbers don’t normally take the vehicle itself. However, there is always the chance that a key on the dash or in the ignition may motivate the more daring into outright auto theft. Also, remember that if you have a great hiding place for a key – say, in your wheel well or above the sun visor – a thief has also thought of it. So if you’re away from your car, keep your keys away from it too. Preferably with you.

Beware a watchful eye

While your trunk is better than the passenger compartment for shopping bags and laptops, an experienced thief will often stake out a parking lot and watch you transfer your things there. So before you even get to where you’ll be leaving your car unattended, move your valuables to the trunk or wherever they’re out of sight.

Be alert for signs of car thieves

See suspicious activity? Trust your instincts and don't park there. And never confront anyone yourself. If you're concerned, report your suspicions to an attendant or the police.

Learn more about how to prevent car theft

Again, theft is often an opportunity. If someone breaks into your car and realizes they have the opportunity to steal your vehicle as well as your valuables, you face a much larger loss. Here are five things you should always do for car theft protection:

  1. Always lock your vehicle (even while driving)
  2. When parked, leave all windows - including the sunroof - closed
  3. Know where you're going and plan routes that avoid high crime areas whenever possible
  4. Park in well-lit areas
  5. Never leave your car unattended if it's running
]]>Tue, 07 Feb 2023 14:34:06 -0500<![CDATA[How to Prevent Car Theft]]>https://cpinainsure.zohosites.com/blogs/post/How-to-Prevent-Car-Theft**Originally posted by Nationwide Insurance**  How common are car thefts? There were 873,080 motor vehicle thefts in 2020 in the U.S., according t ]]>

**Originally posted by Nationwide Insurance** 


How common are car thefts? There were 873,080 motor vehicle thefts in 2020 in the U.S., according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.1 And when citizens are targeted in the most potentially dangerous of these crimes – carjacking – the attacker succeeds in roughly half of all attempts, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.


To find out how to prevent carjacking and car theft read on.


1. Don’t leave valuables in your car

You don’t display your cash, financial statements, and jewelry in your home’s windows, do you? So why would you do the same in your car? Hide those valuables, including purses, computer bags, and the ignition key. You’d be surprised how often people don’t. Two out of five people fail to hide valuables, according to a joint survey from LoJack and the National Insurance Crime Bureau.1 One-quarter leave a purse or wallet inside, and one-third have left bank statements – all of which are appealing to car thieves. One-third say they’ve kept their vehicle running while unoccupied.


2. Park in a well-lit area

Not everyone has a garage. But many have the option of parking on a well-lit street – another deterrent for crooks. Also, etch the vehicle identification number on windows to discourage thieves from stealing the vehicle and selling it to a chop shop.

3. Lock your vehicle doors

The minute you step into an automobile, you’re vulnerable. So lock up right away, before starting the ignition or setting up your music, GPS, etc. (Buckling up is the second “to do.”)

4. Don’t leave your keys in the car

“It’ll just be for a second, I’m only running into the store for a couple things.”

Unfortunately, “a second” is all a thief will need if you leave the keys in the car for them. No matter where you are, or how briefly you’ll be out of your vehicle, always take your keys with you. It sounds obvious, but this is one of the most important ways you can prevent car theft.

5. Stay alert

Staying alert is the best example of how to prevent carjacking. When stopped or slowing down, you increase an opportunity for a carjacker. So at traffic lights, exercise caution. “When stopped in traffic, leave enough space to move forward,” says Brent O’Bryan, vice president of learning and development for AlliedBarton Security Services, a physical security firm.4

6. Know where you’re going

Just as you want to stay in well-lit areas while parking, you don’t want to “hide” in the darkness while driving. “Don’t head into remote or unfamiliar areas,” O’Bryan says. “If you feel like you’re being followed, don’t drive home. Don’t park next to a vehicle such as a van which could be hiding a suspect.”4

7. Install an anti-theft system

If someone does try to break into your car, you’ll want to make it as obvious as possible to anyone in earshot that this has occurred. Anti-theft systems emit loud alarms when they detect some kind of forced entry into your vehicle, alerting anyone nearby and potentially scaring the would-be thief from sticking around. You can also install a GPS tracking system that will show the location of your vehicle if the thief successfully makes off with it.

Having an anti-theft device in your vehicle may earn you a discount on your car insurance.

8. Stay cool during a crisis

Even if you do all the right things, you could still get involved in a carjacking. If so, the safety of you and your passengers remains the top priority. Stay calm – if you panic, it’s more likely a criminal will too. “Never argue; give up your car,” O’Bryan says. “Get away from the area as quickly as possible. Note the suspect’s appearance, and immediately report it to the police.”4

Most commonly stolen cars

You might expect thieves to go for the glitziest, most expensive-looking cars they can find, but the trouble with those vehicles is they stand out in a crowd. No car thief wants to be seen after they make their getaway, so the most commonly stolen cars are some of the most commonly owned models. More Ford F-series pickup trucks and Honda Civics are stolen than any other car in the US for this precise reason. Cars like Civics are also popular because they share parts with other Hondas, making them valuable for stripping and selling.2

What cars are targeted for catalytic converter theft?

Certain vehicles are also being singled out just to steal their catalytic converters. Hybrid cars like the Toyota Prius use expensive metals in the construction of their catalytic converters, making these cars prime targets3 Thieves will steal the catalytic converter and sell it for the value of its metal.

Does car insurance cover car theft?

So, you took all the precautions, but someone managed to make off with your car anyway. Are you covered? Simply put: it depends on your policy. Comprehensive policies will typically cover theft, however, policies like liability insurance do not.

Learn more about what your car insurance will cover in the event of car theft.

1https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-auto-theft, Accessed October 2021.
2https://www.motortrend.com/features/most-stolen-cars-america?slide=17, Accessed August 2021.
3https://www.khou.com/article/news/how-to-prevent-yourself-from-becoming-the-latest-victim-of-catalytic-converter-thefts/285-d978572e-c12a-4142-b331-c782201b082b, Accessed August 2021.
4Nationwide Interview with Brent O’Bryan, 2016.

Disclaimer:
The information included is designed for informational purposes only. It is not legal, tax, financial or any other sort of advice, nor is it a substitute for such advice. The information may not apply to your specific situation. We have tried to make sure the information is accurate, but it could be outdated or even inaccurate in parts. It is the reader’s responsibility to comply with any applicable local, state, or federal regulations. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, its affiliates and their employees make no warranties about the information nor guarantee of results, and they assume no liability in connection with the information provided. Nationwide, Nationwide is on your side, and the Nationwide N and Eagle are services marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2021 Nationwide.

]]>Tue, 07 Feb 2023 14:09:59 -0500<![CDATA[Some Things To Consider When Your Teen Starts Driving]]>https://cpinainsure.zohosites.com/blogs/post/some-things-to-consider-when-your-teen-starts-driving
Just a couple days ago my family celebrated my younger daughter’s 16th birthday. Even in today’s Covid lockdown environment this is an exciting time for a kid, especially for a girl’s “Sweet 16”. I need to say that she is not at all disappointed that we can’t have a Sweet 16 party for her. She would much rather spend the entire day at the barn with the horses she loves so much! The ONE thing she IS very excited about is that she is now eligible to apply for her learner’s permit.
​Being my second daughter, my wife and I have been through the stress of one of your children learning to drive. We are not at all looking forward to the inevitable increase in our auto insurance rate. All of that aside, the most important thing is being sure she is as safe as possible, and develops good habits when she’s behind the wheel.
​We live in a city with some of the highest insurance rates in Massachusetts, the reasons for this can be seen every day when you see the horrible driving habits people have! Defensive driving is a must . . . being aware of your surroundings and other cars on the road is of utmost importance. With that being said, the major cause of teen accidents today is distracted driving.
​Below is a look at how teens drive these days. This information will give you and your teen a better understanding of the risks teen drivers face so that you can help guide them through this important life event, provide ways for them to save money and most importantly, prepare them for a conversation with about driving safety.
Some Teen Driving Stats that Might Surprise You

Before your teen hits the road, set clear rules and expectations of their behavior while behind the wheel – such as a no phone rule and passenger limit. Reviewing and agreeing to this Parent-Teen Contract with them is a great place to start.

Clearly, there are strict rules in Massachusetts around teen driving and hands-free operation of all devices. As new drivers, teens should learn to put their phone in driving mode to reduce distractions.
​As with everything else . . . Parents are the key to safer teen driving. Be sure to establish YOUR safe driving rules with your teen today!
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