Rising trend of rental car break-ins — Here’s how to keep yourself safe

If you’re planning a drive to explore San Francisco’s iconic attractions like Fisherman’s Wharf, stay alert; someone might be on the lookout for your belongings.

The frequency of car break-ins and thefts in areas around Fisherman’s Wharf and Chinatown has surged this year, prompting warnings for visitors to avoid leaving valuables in their cars while they enjoy the sights, as highlighted in a June 8 article in the San Francisco Examiner.

Local news outlet KRON4 reported that data from the San Francisco Police Department reveals a staggering 750 percent rise in vehicle thefts in popular spots like Fisherman’s Wharf and Chinatown in May 2021 compared to the same month in 2020.

Tourist hotspots such as North Beach and Union Square are also experiencing an increase in car break-ins, even though the overall statistics in other parts of the city remain relatively low.

"It’s a significant issue in San Francisco," stated Jonathan Weinberg, founder and CEO of AutoSlash, a platform dedicated to helping consumers find the best car rental deals. "It was a major concern in 2019, subsided during the 2020 lockdowns, but has surged again this year."

"We’re not experiencing quite the same level of issues in other parts of the country, but renters in San Francisco need to be particularly vigilant," he added.

Curious about how to keep potential thieves away from your rental car?

Now is a great time for a refresher on these essential tips, which are also applicable when parking your personal vehicle in unfamiliar places.

Steer clear of parking in isolated or dimly lit spots, even within parking garages.

Now is not the time to skimp on parking fees while risking an increased likelihood of a break-in.

When parking on the street, aim for spaces in bustling areas with high foot traffic, advises Weinberg.

"This is a protective strategy since thieves are less inclined to target those locations," he noted.

Even if you’ve parked in a parking lot or garage that has a secure entrance, there are still guidelines to consider when selecting your parking spot there.

"Steer clear of isolated or dimly lit locations, including dark corners of parking garages and streets that may lack adequate lighting or have few passersby," Weinberg cautioned.

Remember the fundamental rule

This is yet another essential piece of advice that bears repeating, especially in popular tourist hotspots like Fisherman's Wharf, where thieves are often on the prowl for easy pickings.

Always keep your valuables hidden from view—or, ideally, take them out of your car entirely, though we recognize that isn’t always feasible.

"A bag left in the back seat is an alluring target," Weinberg remarked.

If you're driving a standard sedan, make sure to hide all your belongings in the closed trunk to keep them completely out of sight; otherwise, slide them under the seat or cover them with a jacket, he advises.

Of course, this doesn’t guarantee that a thief won’t attempt to break into your vehicle. However, the saying that what’s out of sight is out of mind does hold some truth in this context.

If you're only stepping away from your car for a quick look around, consider your options as well — it might be wiser to bring your laptop in a backpack instead of leaving it in a potentially risky spot in the vehicle.

In other words, if you can't afford to lose it, think about taking it with you.

After parking, ensure that all doors are securely locked and that the windows are fully rolled up as well.

Weinberg stated that it's never a good idea to leave your windows slightly open to cool the interior, as this merely invites thieves eager to unlock your vehicle.

Be aware of the external clues that might reveal you're a tourist driving your car.

While rental car companies seldom put their stickers on vehicles nowadays (though some countries like Iceland may still feature them), there are other visible signs that thieves watch for to determine if a car is being driven by a tourist — and likely filled with valuable items.

"Tennessee license plates signal a potential target to thieves in San Francisco," Weinberg remarked. "It's less expensive to register a car there, which is why many rental cars display Tennessee or other out-of-state plates."

If your rental car comes with plates from a state different from where you are currently, he suggests that you can always ask for a different vehicle.

"If you're in California, aim for California plates to help you blend in," he advised.

Opting for a service like Turo, which operates similarly to Airbnb by allowing you to rent directly from car owners, virtually ensures that you'll have a vehicle with local license plates.

"To help deter car rental break-ins, we refrain from marking our host's vehicles as car-sharing (through Turo stickers, etc.)," Turo stated in an email to TPG.

What steps to take if your rental car is broken into

Imagine you’ve followed all the precautions and still return to find your rental car with a shattered window and glass scattered everywhere.

The first step, according to Weinberg, is to capture photographs of both the inside and outside of the vehicle, documenting any areas of damage.

"Make sure to use your smartphone's notes feature to record anything that is missing or has been stolen from the vehicle," he suggested.

Don’t forget to photograph any damage caused by the break-in, which may include torn upholstery or scratches on the exterior paint and interior surfaces from the shattered glass.

After that, it's crucial to contact the local police to file a report, as this is the first thing the rental company will request (and it’s also necessary for any insurance claim).

"In some locations, they may send someone to help you file the report right there, while in others, you might need to take a taxi to the police station," Weinberg noted.

Contact your insurance provider when a car break-in happens.

After you've submitted the report, keep your police report number handy and reach out to the rental car company using the local office number from your contract to inform them of the incident.

"If you purchased insurance from the rental car agency, you can submit a claim directly with them," Weinberg explained. "Generally, any collision damage policy also covers theft, whether it's the entire car being stolen or damage resulting from an accident or theft."

While damages to the vehicle will be insured, he mentioned that it doesn’t cover any stolen belongings inside.

He added that your credit card and personal insurance can also provide coverage for theft.

The top travel rewards cards provide coverage that allows you to forgo the car rental company’s collision damage waiver (CDW).

However, keep in mind that there may be a stipulation to inform them about the incident promptly, Weinberg noted.

"You might need to report it within 24 hours of the incident or up to a week," he said. No matter what, don’t delay. Act swiftly to ensure your claim is not rejected.

If your credit cards lack primary car rental loss/damage insurance but you hold an AmEx card, think about adding American Express Premium Car Rental Protection to your existing AmEx card for a fee between $12.25 and $24.95 per rental. This is an excellent choice if you’re renting vehicles that are harder to insure, such as vans and pick-up trucks, as coverage also applies to rentals lasting up to 42 consecutive days.

According to Weinberg, recovering the cost of any personal belongings stolen from your vehicle is considerably more challenging than getting damages covered.

However, it's always a good idea to review your homeowner's insurance policy, he advised, to see if it provides coverage for items stolen from your vehicle. You might discover a silver lining, but you'll never know unless you check.