I’ve actually gone a bit further and keep copies on a USB drive tucked away in the glove box, just in case my phone dies or gets lost. Maybe that’s overkill, but when you’re dealing with older cars, you learn to expect the unexpected.
Not overkill at all—after my last ticket (long story), I started keeping backup docs everywhere. Ever had a cop roll their eyes at your phone copy? Happened to me once, and I swear it made things worse. Do you worry about leaving a USB in the car though? I always wonder if it’s safe from heat or theft...
Do you worry about leaving a USB in the car though? I always wonder if it’s safe from heat or theft...
That’s actually something I’ve been wondering about too. Is it possible for the heat inside a car to mess up a USB drive? I read somewhere that electronics can get damaged if it gets too hot, especially in summer. As for theft, I guess if someone does break in, the USB is probably the least valuable thing, but still... kinda weird thinking someone could just grab it. Has anyone actually had a USB fail from being in a glove box?
Is it possible for the heat inside a car to mess up a USB drive?
I actually had a USB stick melt a bit in my old minivan one summer. It didn’t totally die, but the plastic casing warped and it got super glitchy after that. Ever since, I just take it with me or toss it in my bag. Not worth the risk, especially if you’ve got irreplaceable stuff on there. As for theft, I agree—probably not the first thing someone would grab, but you never know.
I actually had a USB stick melt a bit in my old minivan one summer. It didn’t totally die, but the plastic casing warped and it got super glitchy after that. Ever since, I just take it with me or toss it in my bag. Not worth the risk, especially if you’ve got irreplaceable stuff on there.
That’s wild, I didn’t realize the inside of a car could get hot enough to actually melt a USB stick. Makes me wonder what else I’ve left baking on my dash over the years… probably explains why my sunglasses always feel like they’re gonna brand my face.
I’m with you on not leaving anything important in the car. I learned the hard way with a GPS unit that basically turned into a brick after a summer of “storage” in my glove box. Since then, if it’s got electronics or batteries, it comes with me, no matter how much of a pain it is.
About the theft thing, I kinda disagree a little. I mean, yeah, a USB drive isn’t the flashiest loot, but if someone’s already breaking in, they’ll probably just grab whatever’s easy. I had a buddy who lost a whole backpack full of random cables and chargers—nothing valuable, but still a hassle to replace. Plus, you never know if there’s personal info on there. I’m paranoid enough to worry about someone finding my embarrassing playlist or, worse, my student loan docs.
On the insurance side for vintage cars, I’m all about the budget options, but I’ve noticed some classic car policies will cover personal items inside the car too. Not all of them, though, so it’s worth double-checking. I’ve seen some policies that’ll even cover “agreed value” for your ride, which is a lifesaver if you’ve put time and cash into restoring it. Just gotta read the fine print—some of those companies are slick with the exclusions.
Anyway, lesson learned: if it melts, glitches, or gets stolen, it’s coming with me. And if it’s irreplaceable? Definitely not leaving it in a 120-degree sauna on wheels.
Yeah, I’ve had stuff basically cook in my car too—left a pack of gum on the seat once and it turned into a single giant blob. Never thought about insurance covering personal items until my neighbor’s classic Mustang got broken into. He fought with his insurer for months over some tools and a radio. Guess it really does pay to read the fine print, even if it’s boring as heck.
