Paint can be fixed, but if your car disappears, that’s a whole different headache.
Yeah, that’s what’s got me paranoid lately. I just got my first insurance policy and now I’m seeing risks everywhere—scratches, theft, meteor strikes, you name it. Honestly, I’d rather deal with a dent than try to explain to my agent how my car vanished at a show. At least a scratch doesn’t come with paperwork...
DOES YOUR RIDE NEED EXTRA PROTECTION AT CAR SHOWS?
I get where you’re coming from. Once you start thinking about all the things that could go wrong, it’s hard to stop. I’m not even showing off anything fancy—just a family hauler that’s seen better days—but I still worry about it getting dinged or worse, swiped entirely. Insurance is supposed to give peace of mind, but honestly, it just makes me more aware of how much hassle comes with any kind of claim.
I’d take a scratch over a stolen car any day, too. At least with a scratch, you can decide if it’s worth fixing or just live with it (which is usually what I do—kids and shopping carts have already done their worst). But if your car disappears? That’s hours on the phone, paperwork, probably higher premiums down the line... and you’re still without wheels for who knows how long.
One thing I’ve noticed at shows is people get so focused on the paint and polish that they forget about basic security. I’m not saying you need to go full James Bond with hidden gadgets, but a steering wheel lock or even just keeping your windows up and doors locked goes a long way. Some folks leave their keys in the ignition for “easy moving”—that blows my mind.
I guess at the end of the day, you can’t protect against everything. If someone really wants your car, they’ll find a way. But making it just a little harder for them might be enough to send them looking for an easier target. For me, I’d rather spend $30 on a visible deterrent than deal with insurance headaches or losing my ride altogether.
And yeah, meteor strikes... if that happens, I figure we’ve all got bigger problems than insurance paperwork.
- Totally agree about the insurance headache—just thinking about making a claim is enough to make me double-check the locks.
- I always keep windows up and doors locked, even if I’m just stepping away for a minute.
- Steering wheel lock is a must for me, and I’ll admit, I’ve even used those old-school “club” things.
- I don’t get why people leave keys in the ignition either... seems like asking for trouble.
- My car’s not fancy, but it’s ours, and I’d rather be paranoid than sorry.
- Scratches? Whatever, that’s just life with kids and parking lots. But losing the whole car? No thanks.
I hear you on the insurance pain—last time I had to file a claim, it took almost two months just to get things sorted, and that was just for a busted window. Honestly, the hoops they make you jump through make you want to wrap your car in bubble wrap before taking it anywhere, let alone a car show.
I used to think I was being overly cautious with my steering wheel lock and the “club,” but after my old Civic got lifted from a supposedly “secure” lot during a local event, I don’t take chances anymore. That was years ago, but I still remember the sinking feeling walking back to an empty parking spot. Not fun explaining that one to my partner.
Funny thing is, my current ride isn’t even flashy—just basic wheels—but it’s mine, and I’d rather be slightly paranoid than out another deductible. People always say car shows are safe because there are crowds and security, but in my experience, that just means more eyes on your stuff... not all of them friendly. Once saw someone try to jimmy a door open in broad daylight because they figured nobody would notice with all the commotion.
Leaving keys in the ignition? Never understood that either. Even if you’re just popping out for a second—why risk it? My neighbor did that at a show last summer while unloading his cooler. Came back and his truck was gone. Cops said it happens more than folks admit.
Scratches, dings—I’ve learned to live with those (kids and shopping carts, can’t win), but losing the whole car is another story. These days I use a combo of visual deterrents and a hidden kill switch under the dash. Might sound like overkill, but after what I’ve seen at these events, I’d rather be safe than sorry... again.
Bottom line for me: if you care about your ride—even if it’s not fancy—it’s worth putting up an extra layer or two of protection at shows. Insurance only helps after the fact; prevention is way less stressful.
I totally get where you’re coming from—my old Corolla got its stereo ripped out at a local meet, and that was with people everywhere. Ever tried one of those GPS trackers? I’ve been thinking about adding one, but not sure if it’s overkill or actually useful.
