Quick Summary
- Thieves usually target easy opportunities, such as parked hire cars with bags on display or predictable tourist parking spots.
- Simple habits like clearing the cabin, choosing busy parking and planning where you stop dramatically cut the risk of a break in.
- Hola Car Rentals pairs flexible coverage with safety focused guidance so you can concentrate on enjoying the trip, not worrying about your boot.
Why rental cars are tempting targets
In busy US cities, thieves quickly learn where visitors tend to park and what a typical hire car looks like. Luggage stacked on the back seat, cameras on show or a sat nav stuck to the windscreen all signal that there may be something worth taking.
Areas around popular viewpoints, beaches and stadiums in cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles and Miami attract plenty of visitors, which means they also attract opportunistic thieves. The good news is that a few careful choices will usually persuade them to move on to an easier target.
Smart parking choices on your trip
When you collect your vehicle for a coastal road trip or city break, try to think about parking before you set off for the day. If you are landing at MIA, booking your car hire with airport pick up makes it easier to ask local staff about safer neighbourhoods and typical hot spots to avoid.
In San Francisco, many visitors now favour guarded garages or hotel parking over quiet side streets. Building your itinerary around San Francisco parking friendly plans may cost a little more than a free kerbside space, but it hugely reduces the chances of smashed glass on your return.
For Los Angeles or New York, look for bright, busy car parks and avoid leaving the vehicle in the same place for many hours in a row. Renting from hubs such as Los Angeles airport bases or New York airport pickups gives you plenty of staffed garages and hotel options nearby.
How to pack your hire car to reduce risk
The golden rule is simple: nothing visible, nothing worth stealing. Make it a habit to move bags, electronics and shopping into the boot before you reach a car park so you are not broadcasting where you are hiding valuables. Avoid leaving passports, wallets and laptops in the vehicle at all if you can carry them with you.
At scenic stops where many cars are backed up against the view, thieves sometimes watch for people hiding luggage then walking away for a long photo stop. If you plan to spend hours at a viewpoint or on a trail, try to leave most of your luggage in your accommodation and bring only a small day bag.
For more ideas on where to leave valuables, how to use the boot safely and which locations are worth extra caution, check out this dedicated theft proofing guide for your rental car.
Insurance, coverage and peace of mind
Even the best habits cannot remove risk completely, so think carefully about coverage before you drive away. With Hola Car Rentals you can often choose an All Inclusive+ Rate with maximum coverage, so damage to locks or glass is far less of a financial shock. Free Cancellation up to 48 hours before pick up on many bookings also lets you adjust plans if you change routes or hotel area for safety reasons.
It is still important to follow the instructions on your voucher about how to report any theft or damage. In most cases you will need to contact the police to obtain a report, then notify the rental company and your insurer as quickly as possible.
If a break in does happen, avoid confronting anyone near the vehicle. Move to a safe place, contact local authorities and then work with Hola Car Rentals support to organise repairs or a replacement vehicle so you can continue your journey.
Booking safely with Hola Car Rentals
Hola Car Rentals works with major brands across the United States so you can choose pick up points that suit the kind of parking you prefer, whether that is a guarded garage in downtown San Francisco or a well lit lot near Miami Beach. Flexible mileage options and cashback on tolls make it easier to stay in areas that feel safer, even if that means a slightly longer commute to attractions.
When you plan ahead, pack thoughtfully and park with care, your hire car becomes a secure base for exploring rather than a worry. Put these habits in place on day one and you are very unlikely to have your holiday interrupted by broken glass.
FAQs
- Should I leave anything at all in the car? Ideally you take passports, wallets, phones and cameras with you whenever you leave the vehicle. If you must leave items behind, keep them in the boot out of sight and avoid doing this in front of people in the car park.
- Is it safer to remove rental stickers or paperwork? Some travellers prefer to fold or hide obvious paperwork that shouts tourist, but the most important factors are still where you park and what is visible inside. A tidy, empty looking cabin is a stronger deterrent than any sticker.
- What should I do if my hire car is broken into? Do not touch anything until you have taken photos. Move to a safe place, contact the police to report the incident, then call the rental company and follow the steps on your voucher. Hola Car Rentals support can help you understand what is covered and what happens next.
- Are certain cities too risky to use a hire car? Some destinations have higher rates of break ins, but millions of visitors drive hire cars every year without problems. If you follow the basic precautions outlined above, your risk will usually be low enough that the flexibility of a car still makes sense.
