Bobcat Promotes Machine Security During National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month

Did you know July is National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month? Well, it is, and Bobcat Company is raising awareness of the increase in equipment theft in the United States. The company recently highlighted that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) observes National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month in July to call attention to vehicle theft and urges owners and operators to take preventive steps to keep their vehicles and equipment safe.

Bobcat’s press release explained that in April, the American Rental Association reported that equipment theft is an astonishing $100 million-a-year crisis for the equipment rental industry alone. In addition, a report from Neuroject emphasized that heavy equipment theft costs the North American construction industry between $300 million and $1 billion annually. This represents one of the most significant financial burdens for construction companies.

“The frequency of equipment theft has created new challenges on the jobsite,” said Garrett Maurer, director of digital product management at Bobcat. “The good news is that operators and construction business owners can do something about it. With Bobcat Machine IQ and similar telematics software, operators can track their machines’ current location and history, enact geofencing with custom parameters and establish machine curfews. These are great ways to reduce instances of equipment theft and be in the know about your machines anytime, anywhere.”

Bobcat explained that with the Remote Engine Disable/Enable feature in Machine IQ, operators can also respond to suspected unauthorized use by remotely disabling and re-enabling the engine through the Bobcat Owner Portal or Machine IQ mobile app. This enhances control and security anytime, anywhere.

The company also shared these important steps to take if you suspect theft of your owned or rented equipment using Bobcat’s Machine IQ:

1. Verify location first: Log into the Bobcat Owner Portal to confirm your machine’s location with GPS tracking.
2. Disable engine: If unauthorized use is in progress, use Remote Engine Disable/Enable to prevent further operation and potential damage to your equipment.
3. Contact law enforcement: File a report with local authorities and provide applicable equipment details and GPS information.
4. Contact your dealer: Notify your local dealership partner about the theft and police report. Request their assistance with documentation if needed.
5. Notify your insurance company: Follow standard protocols with theft claims and provide proof from your dealership if needed.

Pam Kleineke is managing editor of Compact Equipment.