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Mercury Insurance Offers Top 5 Ways to Make Sure You Aren't a Target of Gift Thieves This Holiday Season
With the holiday shopping season in full swing, crowded parking lots and busy shopping trips create ideal opportunities for thieves searching for unattended gifts and valuables left in vehicles. Mercury Insurance encourages drivers to take simple precautions to help keep their cars — and holiday packages — safe.
About this update from Mercury General Corporation
[{"type":"text","content":"Don't Let a Grinch Take Away Your Joy","length":46,"tagName":"p","attribs":{}},{"type":"text","content":"LOS ANGELES, Dec. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- With the holiday shopping season in full swing, crowded parking lots and busy shopping trips create ideal opportunities for thieves searching for unattended gifts and valuables left in vehicles. Mercury Insurance encourages drivers to take simple precautions to help keep their cars — and holiday packages — safe.","length":356,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":""Thieves look for quick opportunities, and vehicles filled with visible packages are an easy target," said Kevin Quinn, Vice President of Auto Claims at Mercury Insurance. "A few smart habits can dramatically reduce the likelihood of a break-in, and they help ensure your holiday plans aren't derailed by a loss that could have been prevented."","length":368,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"Based on law enforcement guidance and national crime-prevention recommendations, Mercury Insurance offers these Top 5 Ways to Avoid Becoming a Target of Gift Theft:","length":164,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"1. Keep Gifts and Valuables Out of Sight","length":40,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"Always place gifts and shopping bags in the trunk or a concealed storage area before you park. Visible bags or boxes in the backseat are among the most common triggers of "smash-and-grab" theft.","length":204,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"2. Lock Your Doors and Close All Windows","length":40,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"Even quick trips create opportunities. Always lock the vehicle, close windows fully, and confirm remote-lock signals before walking away.","length":137,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"3. Choose Smart Parking Spots","length":29,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"Park in well-lit spaces with high visibility and foot traffic. Areas monitored by security or cameras help discourage opportunistic theft.","length":138,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"4. Avoid Leaving Items in Plain View — Even Temporarily","length":55,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"If you plan to make multiple stops, consider dropping items at home in between. A blanket or coat over packages is still a visual cue for thieves to investigate.","lengt...