Stolen ATVs
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So, if your beloved quad has been stolen, or if you are about to purchase a used ATV, be sure to visit these sites. You will save yourself a lot of headaches...
Here are the links...
National Insurance Crime Bureau
Simply enter the VIN number, and you can check to see if the quad has ever been listed as stolen through a variety of agencies. You can also check to see if the ATV has ever been classified as a "salvage vehicle".
Stolen ATVs
At this website, you can list your ATV info, in the event it is ever stolen. You can list the description, the VIN, a couple of photos, if you have some, as well as your contact info like, phone and email. You can even offer a reward for its safe return.The site is divided into two parts, one for US visitors, and another for Canadian visitors.
And, if you also happen to own a dirtbike, they have set up another site just for those two wheeler guys, Stolen Dirtbike.
Now, how do you prevent your beloved toys from being stolen in the first place?
Here are a few common sense tips that can keep you from being the victim of ATV theft.
- Always store your ATV in a secured location.
- Never leave the keys in the ignition.
- Pull the plug wire when your ATV is parked.
- Consider other theft deterrent devices, like a LoJack.
Your ATV is much safer in the garage or shed. Just parking it in the backyard is not good enough. Also, most homeowner's insurance policies will cover your quad if it is the garage or shed, but not if you park it in the backyard.
Check out our ATV insurance page for more detailed info.
Always store the keys separately from your quad. This goes for when your hanging out at camp too. Without the keys, it will slow down a potential thief. Or cause them to look for a different quad to steal.
It may sound very low tech, but most thieves won't hang around long enough to figure this one out. If they can't fire it up within a minute or two, they will go elsewhere. Whenever I ride at Glamis, and we cruise up to the beachstore, or Boardmanville, I always pull the plug wire, take the keys, and shut off the gas supply.
