Possible Paranoid Traveler Question about driving/theft

Laurie, There's a risk when leaving anything in your car, and that includes anything in the trunk. A suitcase on the back seat would be a "red flag" for thieves, who will not hesitate to break windows if necessary (this is easily done with various "tools" used by those in that type of occupation). Do NOT leave any valuables in the Car, whether it's locked or not (especially Passports, credit cards, etc.)! When you rent the car, it would be a good idea to check to determine whether it has a remote trunk release in the cab somewhere. Thieves are well aware of these, so the items in the trunk will be accessible to them as well. There may be a way to disable the remote release function, however before doing that you'll want to determine whether the trunk is released ONLY electrically from the remote, or whether there's an actual key provided as well! On a few occasions in Europe, I've found that the ONLY trunk release was on the remote. On one car I rented in the U.K. in 2004, there was a Key but it was cleverly hidden inside the rubber edge of the remote, presumably for "emergency use" only. You many want to read the Outsmarting Thieves chapter in Europe Through The Back Door, especially the section on "Your rental car". Of course, for driving in Italy each driver will require the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which must be used in conjunction with your home D.L. Happy travels!

You're not being paranoid - you're being cautious. If you leave anything visible, you make it much more likely that you'll be the victim of a smash and grab. They smash the window, grab the bag, and are gone in seconds.

I am in my fence sitting mode. And how do you define "common?" Remember on all of these travel sites we tend to focus on the problems and the potential for problems. The vast majority of travelers do not have problems. Those who have problems tend to post and talk about them. Pickpockets can be problem and stuff has been lost but we have spent nearly a year in Europe over the past 18 years or so and have never had a problem and have never seen a pickpocket. Car break ins are reported but how common? You need to use reasonable precautions, hide your stuff, park in good locations. Some suggest tossing in a local newspaper - have no idea if that does any good or not - probably cannot hurt - If you can ask your hotel for recommendations where to park. Personally I would be more worried about the TLZ as a greater threat to my financial security. And teenage girls can pack light. They just don't know that.

I wouldn't leave a suitcase, backpack, etc., in the back seat in Temecula...or Sacramento...or Population 350, Kansas...nor anywhere in Europe. Nor my own driveway. If you can't travel/take day trips from your hotel each day and must travel with your luggage in tow, be sure you reserve a car that can hold 3 pieces of luggage in the trunk.

We all agree that there is a "risk" for pickpockets, car theft, etc. The question is -- How much risk? 1 in 10? 3 in 10? 7 out of 10? That is really the question being asked? A couple of years ago I read in a travel magazine an Interpol report indicated that they estimated (reported and unreported crimes on tourists) to be about 1 in 4. Not insignificant but 3 out of 4 people don't have any problems. So my conclusion is that reasonable precautions could push it to 1 in 10 or less.

I think the risk of you being targeted if you put your luggage in the trunk is probably low. After many times in Europe and leaving junk all over my car, no problems. However, in a small town in France outside St. Remy I was driving around a group of photographers I was with. We had 8 people in our van and the one following me had 9. So needless to say when we arrived in the small town we were noticed. I always keep one camera with me and the other is usually in my room. However, a few of the people who had numerous cameras were tired of carrying them and left their equipment in the back of the van. I guess I didn't
even realize they were doing that, but we had become so comfortable traveling these small towns it did not seem to be an issue. We returned to both vans having the windows smashed and the cameras gone. Then, we had to deal with the French police. While I am definitely not paranoid, nor do I think there are thieves lurking around every corner, you do need to be smart. Leave your stuff in the trunk and if you have cameras keep them with you whenever you are out.

One more comment to add to my previous reply..... Leaving the luggage in the trunk is absolutely the best idea. However, in this case there will be one piece of luggage left on the back seat and I suspect this could act as "bait" for potential thieves. Once they're into the car, they likely won't stop at the back seat! Cheers!

Hi Laurie. We faced the same dilemma. I purchased a really thin black travel blanket from Target for around $3 & took it with me to cover up the luggage in the event that we had to leave it in the car itself instead of the trunk. The blanket came in handy on the plane and I used it as a pillow on trains so it was dual purpose & it was thin enough that it didn't take up too much room. We luckily didn't have to leave the luggage in the car itself but you might think about taking something to cover it with so it's not as visible. We visited Siena & Lucca & didn't feel unsafe at all so I think you'll be fine...I would worry more in the bigger, congested cities. Have a great trip. (BTW, can't wait for the balloon festival in June in Temecula!!)

Myself and two work collegues had a rental car broken into and had three briefcases with computers stolen in San Francisco in a crowded shopping mall parking lot. If it can happen in the US by "tempting" a would be thief, I'd make the assumption it could happen any place. Pack light and rent a car that's has a large enough trunk.

Laurie, better make sure that your DD knows that only she will be toting around her big suitcase. As I am sure that you are aware, Siena, Lucca & Pisa are all filly accessible by a combination of trains and buses.