Road Trip Safety: How to Protect Your Car and Belongings This Holiday Season

Millions of people hit the road during the holidays to visit family and friends. A road trip can be a great way to travel, but it also means long stops at gas stations, rest areas, restaurants, and hotel parking lots. Thieves know that holiday travelers often carry gifts, luggage, laptops, and other valuables in their cars. The good news is that a few simple habits can make your car a much less attractive target and keep your trip on track.

Keep valuables out of sight

Most car break-ins are crimes of opportunity. A thief walks by, sees something worth taking, breaks a window, and is gone in seconds. Don’t give them a reason to stop.

• Never leave bags, purses, wallets, phones, laptops, or shopping bags on the seats.
• Keep gifts covered or, better yet, in the trunk.
• Remove phone mounts, chargers, and cables when you leave the car. They can make a thief think there is a device hidden inside.
• If your vehicle has a cargo cover, use it.

Pack the trunk before you arrive

Many people move items to the trunk after they park. The problem is that someone may be watching, and now they know exactly where your valuables are. Load your trunk before you leave home or before you pull into your next stop, so no one sees what you are hiding.

Lock up, even for a quick stop

It only takes a moment for someone to open an unlocked door. At gas stations and rest stops:

• Lock your doors while you pump gas, even if you are standing right next to the car.
• Take your keys with you every time you get out.
• Never leave the car running unattended, even to “just run inside for a minute.”
• Close all windows and the sunroof completely.

Choose your parking spot carefully

Where you park matters. When you stop for a meal, a break, or the night:

• Park in busy, well-lit areas, as close to the entrance as possible.
• Avoid parking next to large vans or trucks that block the view of your car.
• At hotels, ask if there is a secure or attended parking area.
• Take a photo of your parking spot in large parking lots, so you can find your car quickly without wandering around.

Bring valuables inside overnight

When you stop at a hotel, don’t leave anything important in the car overnight. Take your luggage, laptops, medications, travel documents, and gifts into your room. A car parked all night in an unfamiliar lot is an easy target, and many break-ins happen while travelers are asleep.

Watch out for gas pump skimmers

Criminals sometimes install hidden card readers, called skimmers, on gas pumps to steal card information. To protect yourself:

• Look at the card reader before you use it. If it looks loose, damaged, or different from the other pumps, use another pump.
• Choose pumps closer to the store, where it’s harder for criminals to tamper with them without being seen.
• Use contactless payment or a mobile wallet when possible.
• Consider paying inside with the cashier.
• Check your bank or card statements after your trip for charges you don’t recognize.

Stay alert at rest stops

Rest areas are helpful on long drives, but stay aware of your surroundings. Travel with a companion when you can, especially at night. Keep your phone in your pocket, not on the car roof or the seat. If someone approaches you with a strange story or asks for money, politely say no and get back in your car.

Prepare your car before the trip

A breakdown on the side of the road can leave you in an unsafe spot. Before you leave:

• Check your tires, including the spare, and make sure they are properly inflated.
• Check your oil, brakes, wipers, and lights.
• Pack an emergency kit with a flashlight, jumper cables, a first aid kit, water, snacks, and a warm blanket.
• Keep a phone charger in the car, and keep your phone charged.
• Share your route and expected arrival time with a family member or friend.

What to do if your car is broken into

If you return to find your car broken into:

1. Don’t touch anything more than necessary, and check that no one is still nearby.
2. Call the local police and file a report. You will often need it for insurance.
3. If cards or IDs were stolen, call your bank right away to cancel your cards.
4. Contact your insurance company to report the damage and the stolen items.
5. Take photos of the damage before you clean up or drive away.

The bottom line

A holiday road trip should be about time with family and friends, not dealing with stolen bags or broken windows. Keep valuables out of sight, lock up at every stop, park in well-lit areas, and bring important items inside at night. With these simple habits, you can enjoy the drive and arrive safely with everything you packed.