Duvies

Hi All,

we are traveling to at least four different destinations as part of our September trip. Part of the plan I have, is to stop at attractions on the way from one destination to the next before booking in. For example, we'd like to stop at Oradour-sur-Glane, Villandry and maybe Mont St Michel.

We'll have all our luggage in our vehicle, which will be unattended. All of it will be in the boot of the rental - nothing will be visible from the outside.

Is this a safe option, or should we rather reconsider this option.

BDKR

Hi,

Nothing is entirely safe, but the risk is low. Don't leave any valuables in the car.

Odin

MoBro

I wouldn't do it. Rental cars everywhere have a target on them for thieves.
Recently had ours broken into in San Francisco, with luggage taken.
It's really unpleasant to lose your stuff while traveling.
It's worth more trouble to find a safer place to store them. Your hotels?

MmePerdu

Theft from rental cars is a given, you know that or wouldn't have asked, the only question will it be yours. I feel more safe stopping, for instance, at restaurants on country roads but not at tourist attractions where your car will be part of the thieves' buffet. For me the 2 choices are: (1) don't do it & instead, as mentioned, go to attractions near where you'll be staying the night, or (2) as when we check bags, assume it's a real possibility you'll lose your stuff, carry things with you that would be the greatest loss, is the attraction that important to you, then rejoice when you don't lose them.

AJPeabody

How are rental cars marked so as to make them identifiable to thieves?

kerouac

Whenever I have been obliged to leave my luggage in the car during a visit, I always choose the most visible place to park -- the place everybody walks by or (at night) the place with the most aggressive lighting. I have never had a problem in such places.

kerouac

Rental cars were supposedly "anonymous" for a few years in France, copying the American decision to remove all rental indications. That period has ended. I can't say for other companies, but I know that Europcar now has visible stickers on its cars. No problem as far as I am concerned. There are other indications for "specialists." Nearly all Europcar vehicles have a licence plate terminating in 76. Hertz cars all terminate in 60. Can't say for the other companies -- I have not paid attention. Really not a problem.

Since I used to work in car rentals (for Avis) even more than 40 years later, I can still spot a rental car, no matter what the company, from at least 100 meters. I imagine that it is the same for thieves specializing in rental cars. Paranoid people should realize that 95% of the "tourist" cars in France are just other French people driving their own car, so there is no reason to target rental cars -- the other cars are potentially just as full of stuff to take as rental cars.

J62

Q:​​​​​​How are rental cars marked so as to make them identifiable to thieves?
A: Look for this sticker found on all rental cars in Europe.

kerouac

I didn't even know that all thieves speak English!

Michael

A final deterrent if thieves broke into the car: get a lock cable for skis and tie all the luggage together through the handles.

lolfn

We always carried all valuables and irreplaceable items with us when visiting an attraction with our luggage in the car. If someone wants to steal my dirty travel clothing and half used toiletries, they are welcome to it.

Odin

J62

There are country specific labels. Here's the one from Italy.

hetismij2

We may have been lucky of course, but we have driven through the US in a rental car, many times, and left the luggage in it when visiting sights. We have driven our Dutch registered car through Europe and left the luggage in the back of it, even more obviously a tourist vehicle than any French rental car. It is an estate car and we often don't bother to cover the luggage area.
Now we drive a campervan through Europe, with everything in it. Never yet been broken into or had a any problem.
The only time a car of ours was broken into was in the Amsterdam car park of the company DH worked for at that time. Smashed a window and stole the radio and DH's skanky old rain jacket.

Take valuables with you If you can carry them safely, but don't get them from the boot, or put them in the boot when you park. Have what you need for the day in the main body of the car. Don't weigh yourself down with "valuables". You could be more of a target than your car.

kerouac

I think that people worry about this relatively minor problem, because it just takes one incident reported to freak out at least 200 other people.

AJPeabody

J62: Please cook up a sticker that says "this is not a rental car. Move on, nothing to see here". I was glad I wasn't drinking anything when I read the first sticker. I LOL'd out loud.

My safety method is to park between two luxury cars.

twk

This. The odds are in your favor. Of course, if you happen to be the unlucky one, it can really screw up your trip, but, if you do carry valuables with you, at least you can minimize the losses.

When we were in France in 2011, the only time we had to leave the luggage in our van during a stop was at Pont du Gard. I worried about that, but lightning didn't strike. Taking all things into consideration, you're probably as likely to have things stolen out of your lodging as you are out of your rental car.

Sarastro

Theft of items left in an unattended car is a huge problem in France. It is very simple to spot a rental from the departmental registration number, to refueling stickers, and even rental car company stickers in the windows. The telltale sign that few people think about is the absence of floor mats. I have never owned a car into which I had not installed floor mats of some type. Rental cars never have floor mats.

I would not, do not leave anything of value in my car.

MoBro

"If someone wants to steal my dirty travel clothing and half used toiletries, they are welcome to it."
Haha. Because they wouldn't take all the rest of your clothing, toiletries, shoes, etc?

"I think that people worry about this relatively minor problem, because it just takes one incident reported to freak out at least 200 other people."
Easy attitude, until it happens to you. . .
Losing all that stuff is something I will go out of my way to avoid happening again. Better safe than sorry.

In the States, rental cars are easily identifiable. I imagine there are 'tells' in all countries, as well. Thieves know all the tricks. Don't fool yourself.