Author Topic: How to prevent car break-in during cross country move?  (Read 6412 times)

Freedom2016

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How to prevent car break-in during cross country move?
« on: January 11, 2015, 12:27:15 AM »
We're moving X-country next week, and DH is driving our car from CA to MA; it will be stuffed to the gills with our stuff, including a flat-screen TV and printer. We have the original packaging which is great for protecting them but terrible in terms of advertising what's inside.

DH is going to be staying with friends some places but in hotels other places - leaving the car outside overnight. Other than throwing a tarp/blanket across everything, are there other things we can do to make the car's contents look less attractive to would-be vandals/thieves?

I should say we drove a car full of stuff from east to west last year and didn't have any problems. But we also didn't have pricey/valuable stuff in the back!

MDM

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Re: How to prevent car break-in during cross country move?
« Reply #1 on: January 11, 2015, 12:49:09 AM »
The tarp is a good idea.  Others to consider
  - Leave some junky stuff (broken baseball mitt, ratty clothes, etc.) on top.
  - Check in early and park close to the main entrance.  Typical thief will prefer minimal foot traffic.
  - Take a northern route.  It's freezing outside.  Self-respecting vandals & thieves will be huddled inside for warmth.
  - Choose hotels in lower crime areas. 
  - Put the highest value stuff in the trunk (if your car has one).  Easier to smash a window and grab than to open the trunk.
  - Oh, yeah: lock the car.

And, statistically, the chances of a problem are low.  But not zero, so taking some basic precautions is reasonable.  Good luck!



Thegoblinchief

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Re: How to prevent car break-in during cross country move?
« Reply #2 on: January 11, 2015, 08:33:17 AM »
The tarp is a good idea.  Others to consider
  - Leave some junky stuff (broken baseball mitt, ratty clothes, etc.) on top.
  - Check in early and park close to the main entrance.  Typical thief will prefer minimal foot traffic.
  - Take a northern route.  It's freezing outside.  Self-respecting vandals & thieves will be huddled inside for warmth.
  - Choose hotels in lower crime areas. 
  - Put the highest value stuff in the trunk (if your car has one).  Easier to smash a window and grab than to open the trunk.
  - Oh, yeah: lock the car.

And, statistically, the chances of a problem are low.  But not zero, so taking some basic precautions is reasonable.  Good luck!

+1 to all that. You can take reasonable steps, but don't worry about it too much. It's just stuff.

Property/renters insurance will cover theft from a vehicle (well, mine did at least). I suppose if you are overly concerned, temporarily lower your deductible to lessen out of pocket cost if indeed something did happen?

mxt0133

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Re: How to prevent car break-in during cross country move?
« Reply #3 on: January 11, 2015, 10:07:33 AM »
I did a similar move and the best way to prevent a break in is to not give anyone reason to break in.  With that said, move all the valuable items inside or in the trunk where it's not visible.  As for the TV I just gave my away, it's not worth the risk of having it damaged or someone break-in and stealing it.  Plus it's bulky and will take up more valuable space that it's probably worth.  Sell it on craigslist and you can probably get a better TV for the same price you go your old one for.  Or just not replace it, that would be the Mustachian thing to do.

Freedom2016

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Re: How to prevent car break-in during cross country move?
« Reply #4 on: January 11, 2015, 11:10:24 AM »
Thanks for the suggestions!

We have a midsize SUV so no trunk to hide things, but we will follow the rest of the suggestions. As for the TV we have gone back and forth on whether to sell it. We won't get anywhere near what we paid for it a year ago, and unfortunately we're not a household that can/will live without a TV. :\ But we'll revisit the decision and run the numbers.

Freedom2016

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Re: How to prevent car break-in during cross country move?
« Reply #5 on: January 22, 2015, 10:32:30 AM »
Just to update/close out the thread, DH made it safely cross country with no break-ins. Turns out it was easy to disguise the higher value items by hiding them under boxes of toddler toys. :)