Protecting Your Car When You Remote Park

a close up of a toy car

People leave distance between themselves and their cars whenever they park in a high-traffic area for extended periods. But if you do, you could expose the car to numerous danger risks, including theft and vandalism or hit-and-run damage.

You don’t want this to happen to you. What are some of the ways to protect your car when you leave it exposed in high-traffic areas?

First, consider some scenarios where your car faces vulnerability:

You park on the street outside your home because you do not have a garage.

When traveling, you leave your car parked in an airport’s long-term lot.
While shopping at a mall or visiting a hospital, you park in a parking deck.
If you work in an office complex, then your car might be one of countless others in the vicinity.

Whenever you leave your car alone in a crowded, unfamiliar environment, it will face heightened danger risks. For example, a prowler might choose your car to break into or steal. Or, a careless driver trying to park next to you might hit your car and then flee the scene. In either case, the damage could be costly.

A comprehensive auto insurance policy will offer protection against theft, vandalism, collision damage and hit-and-run damage. However, you must include the right coverage on your policy.

If a hit-and-run occurs, then you won’t be able to file against another driver’s liability insurance for your damage. However, if your own policy includes uninsured motorist coverage, then this protection can pay for your vehicle repairs.
Theft or vandalism losses often have coverage under comprehensive insurance. This is a specific type of coverage for damage arising from hazards not related to collisions.
If you hit another object, then your policy will need to include collision insurance if you want it to pay for your repairs. Additionally, your policy should include liability insurance to pay for the third party’s damage, if necessary.

Of course, you never want these problems to arise. So, consider a few tips to keep your car safe:

Always lock your doors and arm your security system.

Do not leave purses, money, an extra set of keys or any other items of value visible in the windows. Place a visor over your windshield for extra protection.
Don’t park in No Parking zones. Keep your car between the lines of the parking space.
Try to park near other people. Thieves like to make quick getaways, and groups of cars increase their chances of getting caught. There is safety in numbers.
Write down where you parked or take a picture of the area on your phone.

If you come back to find a problem occurred, then don’t touch the car. Call the police to report the damage and have them take a report for your insurer. Your auto insurance company can then tell you if you qualify for coverage.