Rick Steves Cautions Tourists To Pay Attention To This When Parking Rental Cars

You're just about to embark on an adventure that you've been planning for quite some time. Excited and prepared, you've booked a rental car and can't wait to visit some beautiful spots along the Pacific Coast Highway for your upcoming road trip. One of the best ways to explore a new country or city is renting a car to get off the beaten path, but just as it is crucial to research your destination, travel expert Rick Steves cautions tourists to avoid leaving a trusty rental car in a parking lot with remnants of shattered glass, since it may be a sign of previous break-ins.

When it comes to advice regarding travel, if we're going to listen to anyone, it's Steves. Not only does he recommend plenty of helpful tips before leaving for your vacation, but he also knows a thing or two when it comes to protecting your rental car in unfamiliar locations. In a blog post titled "Thrifty 50 Travel Tips," Steves tells readers to be cautious. "Thieves recognize and target tourist cars," he writes. "Judge the safety of a lot by how it twinkles. Broken glass means thieves like this spot. Paying to park in a garage with an attendant can be a good investment."

When choosing a location to park your rental car, if there's glass on the ground, you may want to look somewhere else. Criminals tend to scour parking lots for rental cars, and with most rental companies slapping company stickers on the bumper, this makes them stand out to thieves looking for a quick smash and grab job, or "bipping," a term used in San Francisco, which is a quick and quiet method of breaking a window with spark plug porcelain or safety hammer.

Whether you're heading to a small town or driving to the largest city in the world, Jakarta, you'll want to be privy to where you are parking. Thieves love parking lots, especially if they aren't being watched by security or lot attendants. While we love saving money when traveling, the one thing that may prevent a headache — or insurance claims — is forking over some extra cash to park in a lot with security, as Rick Steves suggests.

Some parking lots may be dodgy with low lighting, no security, or maybe even no cameras, so for peace of mind, having a lot attendant to keep an eye out for ruffians, or parking underground with dedicated security, is worth the extra cost. Regardless of where you park your rental car, to avoid tempting criminals, always remember to keep valuables out of sight, or remove them from your vehicle altogether. Thieves tend to target rental cars because travelers often carry expensive items with them, such as cameras, laptops, and luggage filled with personal items.

Renting a car isn't just paying a fee and driving off into the sunset. It comes with a lot of responsibility and extra research about the not-so-great areas to park your rental car in a city that you are visiting, as well as picking up on subtle visual cues from your surroundings. Knowing how to protect your vehicle and belongings can help ensure your vacation stays memorable for all the right reasons.