Evening star., 1924-02-10
No. II. The Car Is Stolen.

Smiths car hadn't been out Of the
repair shop two weeks when 1t sud-
denly disappeared into the oblivion
which claims millions of dollars
worth Of motor cars annually. / hap
noon hour directly after the trouble.
Apparently he was on his way to tell
me about it.
According to Smiths version Of the
story. his car disappeared while he
was depositing a check at tho bank.
He admitted that he had not locked
the car, because he intended being
gone only a few minutes.
"A little carelessness now and
then" l said, doesn't do any real
harm, but it has been your custom to
park the car in front of the bank at
1890 every other day. When a car
owner makes it a rule to leave mis-
machine at a certain place at def
mite time thief is bound to get wise
to the fact in time. In your case he
was just waiting fer the one chance
in a hundred when you would forget
to lock the car. One way to puzzle
the car thief is to park your car in
different place every time you leave
it. He can never be quite sure about
it then: he'll try the property OF some
other motorist whose habits he is
more familiar with"
II guess you're right" Smith re-
piled. But the cars gone and what
is there to do about it.
There's lot to do about It," re-
torted. And the quicker we act the
better"
Smith Blunders Again.
1--WE notified the police" Smith said.
'If they can't find the car, no one
can"
That's just where you're all
wrong, replied. The police nave have
after. many of which are vastly more
important than the recovery of your
car. Notification of the police, how
ever, is the first thing to. do. because
this gives the story of the theft of
the car official recognition. The in
surance company is better satisfied
when procedure is regular
Smith had forgotten about his theft
policy.
they can settle for total loss ana
call 1t quits"
THAT all sounds WELL" I replied.
but you forget that you Will have to
wait two months before the insurance
company will settle with you. The
policy grants them this length of
time in which to await developments.
Remember, the insurance company
does not undertake to go hunting for
your car. though the adjuster as
signed to the case may find it advfs-
able to do a little detective work. OF
course. the underwriters detective
bureau is always on the job. but their
plan is a broad one and indirect as far
as any particular car is concerned.
They aim TO locate and convict car
thieves rather than recover particular
cars. so, in the meantime your car
is Just a needle in q haystack. If you
buy a new car before the sixty days
period is over, you will have to use
your own money. And if your car is
found you will then. have two ma
chimes on your hands.
Policy Provision Violated.
For another thing, you violated
the provisions Of your policy when
YOU neglected to lock the car. For
the reduced rate at which the fire and
theft policy was written you agreed
to equip your car with fire extin-
guisher and an approved locking de-
vice, and to keep the lock locked
when away from the car. You haven't
co-operated very we'll with the insur-
ance company. My ADVICE to you is
to make an extraordinary effort to
recover your car. 1t will pay you to
do So"