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Protect Your Motorcycle Against Theft
According
to National Insurance Crime Bureau statistics, motor vehicle thefts are
on the rise, and among the vehicles being targeted are motorcycles. It's
one thing to have your property stolen, but if it is something you love
and have become attached to, that is a different story altogether. And
only 25% to 30% of motorcycles are recovered after theft.
Thieves steal motorcycles to resell the whole bike or to strip it down and sell the parts. The fact that motorcycles are small and relatively easy to move makes them particularly vulnerable to theft. Smart thieves will find a way to steal your bike if they really want it, but there are things you can do to protect your investment and make your motorcycle less appealing to a thief. You can make it bothersome for them to try to steal it.
There are several relatively simple and inexpensive ways to help protect your motorcycle from ending up in the back of a thief's van. One of these methods alone might not be enough to deter a determined thief, but using more than one - or better yet, several - of these methods just might make the difference in whether a thief stops at your house or keeps going.
Keep Your Bike Out of Sight
The best bet is to keep your motorcycle in a locked garage.
For some people, this might not be an option. If you have to keep your
bike parked outside, start by keeping it in a well-lit area and out of
direct view from the street. It should be covered with a plain cover that
is free of logos or brand names. If the thief can't tell by the cover
what type of motorcycle is underneath, they may be more inclined to pass
it over. In addition, you should keep the cover locked to the bike with
a cable lock. However, this won't prevent a thief from picking up the
whole bike and taking it, cover and all. That's why it is important to
use this in conjunction with other security measures.
Lock Your Bike to a Stationary
Object
Even if you have your bike in a locked garage when not
in use, it is a good idea to also have it locked to something immovable.
One method would be to cement a steel eye to the floor to put a chain
or cable through. When using a chain or cable lock, be sure to loop it
through the frame or another stable part of the bike. When you're out
riding and leave your bike parked outside, always use your steering lock
- this is your first step of defense. In addition, you should use two
or more locks of different types. If possible, park your bike where you
can see it and check on it periodically.
Make Good Lock Choices
When choosing locks, it's not a good idea to spare expense.
Choose good locks. Types of locks include serpentine link locks, u-locks
and chains. Record key numbers and then file them off the locks if they
are stamped on them. Locks attached to your bike should not touch the
ground. If a lock is lying on the ground, it is easier for a thief to
use a hard item to pound the lock until it breaks. Even if you keep your
motorcycle in a locked garage, it's always a good idea to look around
to make sure you're not providing a thief with the tools to dismantle
your locks. There are usually a lot of tools in a garage and with time
and determination, a thief will be able to remove the locks from your
bike.
Other Devices
There are several new mechanical devices that can help
ensure you'll find your bike where you left it. Many dealers are now selling
motorcycles with alarms as a standard feature, as well as similar anti-theft
devices. An alarm alone is not an effective deterrent, but in combination
with other methods, a wailing alarm is liable to make a thief think twice.
Even if your motorcycle isn't equipped with an alarm, you can get stickers
that say that there is an alarm installed and put them on your bike. You
can also purchase anti-prying devices, pick-resistant mechanisms or you
can install one or more kill switches to make the motorcycle impossible
to start.
Common Sense
The best way to protect your motorcycle from theft is
to use common sense. Don't leave the keys in the ignition or anywhere
within close proximity to the bike. Make sure that you choose the safest
places possible to park or store your bike. And don't lock your bike down
to something that can easily be moved or broken and assume it's still
going to be there when you come back.
Insure Your Investment
In addition to being confident that you are doing what
you can to protect your motorcycle, it's important that you have the right
insurance. You need an insurance policy that offers the coverages that
are important to your specific bike and lifestyle. If you think your motorcycle
is adequately covered when you add it through an endorsement on your homeowners
policy, chances are you're mistaken...a lesson that you don't want to
learn first-hand come claim time.
Important things to look for when choosing a specialized insurance policy for your motorcycle are things like:
The Foremost Insurance Group of Companies provides all of these important coverages and more in our specialized Motorcycle insurance program. Foremost has been in the specialty insurance business for over 50 years and we understand that you want to protect your investment. Foremost has specially-trained claims representatives that handle only motorcycle and off-road vehicle claims - it's not just one of the things they do, it's all they do. We have the experience and expertise to handle claims quickly and fairly.
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