Own an expensive car and the chances are you have palpitations whenever anyone even looks at it from across the street. However, as protective as you are of your little beauty (and rightly so), surprisingly, car thieves aren’t opting for luxury cars or sports cars.
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau research, a non-profit Organization in the US, the most stolen car there is the Honda Accord 1994 model. Unfortunately for Honda, the model has enjoyed this dubious accolade since 2008, thanks to its popularity and longevity.
Perhaps you’re a Honda lover and are thinking ‘Okay, I’ll just stay away from that model, and get a different one.’ If so, make sure you purchase good car insurance. Unfortunately, it’s bad news again: the second most stolen car in the US is another Honda. This time it’s the 1998 Honda Civic compact.
The good news for car owners is that car crime has fallen to its lowest rate in the US since 1967.
How does this compare with somewhere like the UAE?
Well, if you live there, or are going to live there, you can breathe a sigh of relief. Car crime is rare. If anything bad is to happen to your pride and joy, the most likely thing is that mindless teens will throw eggs at it, a trend that has recently become popular in Dubai.
That’s not to say it doesn’t happen. Earlier this year, police in Dubai smashed a car theft ring that had stolen 56 vehicles and smuggled them to Iran and Afghanistan.
How about not stealing a car there?
Car enthusiasts can’t fail to love the UAE. After all, it’s one of the cheapest places in the world to buy a car. Not only that, the price of standard grade fuel per litre is much lower than the global average price, leaving you more disposable income for car insurance.
If you’d like to own a sports car or luxury car in the UAE, you’re in for a treat— albeit at someone else’s expense. Many UAE residents have bought one but become unable to keep up with the payments. Facing a possible prison sentence, they’ve taken to their heels and left their vehicles to gather dust in streets, airport car parks or other locations in the UAE. These are towed away and, if no one claims them within 15 days, you can bid for them at auction, picking them up at a steal.
What if you just want a bargain anyway?
Well, car dealers in the UAE have been eager to clear their inventories ready for 2013. Twice this year there have been a string of offers on 2012 models of cars. Cars that have been part of these promotions include Hondas (Civics, Accord, CRVs and Pilots), Toyotas and the BMW 3 series. It’s been, and still is, a car lover’s paradise.
So if you’re looking for a new car in the US you might be cautious and avoid buying a Honda Civic or Accord, even if it is the new model. Head to the UAE, on the other hand, and the risk of someone stealing this model, or any car for that matter, diminishes considerably. Just keep an eye on your finances and that you can make the payments. Oh and watch out for those kids with eggs!
Your Call!