This news item expired on Wednesday, August 31, 2016 so the information below could be outdated or incorrect.
Please don't leave valuables in your car, personal information included.
With vandals on the loose and auto break-ins on the rise, you might lose your laptop, car stereo, groceries or other valuables that are left sitting out in the open.
Increasingly thieves are looking for what's inside the glove box first and foremost, as your personal identification is in many cases the most valuable item in the car.
Most Americans keep their vehicle registration and proof of insurance in the vehicle's glove box or above the visor. It's a convenient location for the driver, but also for the thief. With these pieces of information taken from your car, an identity thief can begin to piece together enough information to open new accounts in your name and cause serious trouble beyond the original break-in.
Where are you supposed to hide critical documents that are required by law? You can keep your registration and insurance paperwork on your person instead of inside the vehicle. Better yet, in some states law enforcement officers will accept digital proof of insurance. Check with your local officials to verify that this is legal in your area.
Thankfully, several insurance carriers now allow you to access your account information via a smart phone app. In addition to viewing your insurance card digitally, use of the smart phone app from your insurance provider may also give you the ability to submit or view a claim, contact your agent or call for roadside assistance. In the future, it may also be possible to show an officer your driver's license and possibly your vehicle registration on your phone.