GMC Insurance Necessary for Couple Robbed Three Times

By: Shannon Brown, Car Insurance Analyst
CheaperCarInsurance.com

Jackie Monch and her boyfriend should be glad they have GMC insurance. Just minutes after parking their GMC Duramax truck, the couple looked outside and realized it was missing. Instead of their truck, an abandoned van was sitting in its place. The lights were on and the windshield wipers were going.

Shortly after the theft, which occurred at 7 in the morning, the truck was used to ram a police car. It was also involved in another accident which sent a 47 year old man to the hospital during the ensuing pursuit. Eventually, the GMC was abandoned, though rather worse for wear. An 18 year old was arrested and charged with several things including 4 counts of assault with a weapon and 3 counts of leaving the scene of an accident.

This was the third vehicle that the couple has had stolen, Monch was the victim of a theft seven years ago and her boyfriend had his vehicle stolen ten years ago.

Big Truck Theft on the Rise

Unfortunately, GMC insurance claims are being filed more often these days. Those on the run from the law have discovered that these trucks are sturdy enough to be used as a weapon against the flimsier police cars that try to stop them. The results?

• More large trucks are being stolen, including GMC, Chrysler and other brands
• Vehicles are recovered with severe damage
• Police and others are injured as thieves merely ram them instead of stopping

In the case of this Winnipeg couple, their vehicle sustained serious damages when recovered. Fortunately, this time, no one was seriously injured in the car chase. The man in the hospital is expected to make a full recovery and while four police officers were put in danger when the GMC rammed their vehicles, no one was hurt in that incident.

Preventing Truck Theft: Keep Insurance Rates Down

In most areas, your insurance rates don’t exactly go up when your vehicle is stolen. However, you are moved to a different insurance tier and when looking for quotes on GMC insurance or another type of vehicle insurance, a previous claim, of any sort, may affect the rates you are quoted.

Of course, even when you have GMC insurance, if your truck is stolen, you have to wait for the claim to be processed. There will be time spent without a vehicle, the need to find another one and this can all contribute to stress. But is it actually possible to prevent vehicle theft?

Apart from the obvious don’ts, like leaving your keys in your vehicle or leaving it unlocked, there are a few things that can help prevent a vehicle from being stolen.

• Always use your anti-theft device or alarm
• Park in a very visible area, or inside a locked garage
• Never leave the spare key where it could be found easily

Some vehicles are more appealing to thieves than others. That’s why GMC insurance claims for stolen vehicles have gone up. In the case of Monch and her fiancé, their vehicle was a prime target for a young man on the run from the cops.

Posted: May 07, 2010