How to Protect Your Car From Theft
With car theft becoming increasingly prevalent, it is crucial for car owners to think of ways to secure their vehicle. This guide provides tips on how to protect your car from theft. Follow these strategies to have peace of mind and protect your investment.
Key Takeaways
• In the US, over 1 million vehicles were stolen in 2023 (source: NHTSA).
• Taking proactive steps to prevent car theft is critical in reducing the spread of these crimes.
• Learn the top strategies on how to protect your car from theft, which includes installing alarm systems and vehicle tracking systems.
• It is also essential to know what to do when your car is stolen to facilitate faster recovery.
Recent Trends in Car Theft
According to the National Highway & Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 1 million vehicles had been stolen in the US alone in the year 2023. It’s an alarming number, especially since this statistic saw a 25% increase from the previous year.
Vehicle theft is more than just an individual crime. It involves major crime groups, which means it is a multi-billion-dollar crime. With that statistic, it is estimated that one vehicle is stolen in the US every 31 seconds!
Aside from vehicles, there is also a growing occurrence of valuables being stolen from vehicles. It’s important for vehicle owners to take measures to protect their vehicle and other valuables by taking a proactive steps against such criminal activities.
How to Protect Your Car from Theft
No one wants to have their car stolen! If you want to have peace of mind, follow these tips and strategies on how to protect your car from theft.
Always Keep Your Vehicle Locked
It seems like a no-brainer tip but you’d be surprised to know how many vehicle owners still forget to do this. Commonly, vehicle owners keep their car doors unlocked when they plan to park for a short period of time or when keeping it idle.
However, it can be a seriously risky move, especially if you live in an area wherein car theft is a common occurrence. You should play on the safe side by switching off the engine and locking all doors. In fact, you should practice the habit of locking all doors even when driving. Car jacking is also common during traffic stops. Therefore, you can prevent becoming a target for car thieves by locking your door at all times.
Secure the Keys
Let’s say you locked your car doors, but you forgot to secure the keys. Anyone who has access to your keys can have access to your vehicle. Therefore, it is equally important to secure your car keys and keep it out of stranger’s reach.
It’s common for car keys to be stolen in homes or any other personal belongings. Make sure you store your car keys somewhere that only you can find them so they cannot be used to steal your vehicles.
Another way to protect your car from theft is to invest in cars with keyless entry. A keyless entry car will not operate without the key within the designated distance of the car. As a result, it will lock the car ignition and won’t start. However, you must still be wary of devices that mimic the key, and make it a habit to store your keys in a signal-blocking pouch.
Learn to Identify Potential Car Jackers
Just because you’re driving a car does not deter thieves from trying to take it from you. Car jacking is a serious crime, and you must learn how to protect your car and yourself from them.
When driving in traffic, always lock your doors to prevent car jackers from sneaking into your car during traffic stops. In addition, always leave enough space with the vehicle in front of you, so you can quickly escape if you need to.
If you are bumped from behind, do not step out of your vehicle immediately. Check out the surroundings and ensure that it is safe and there are other people there.
Choose Where You Park Your Vehicle
Your choice of a parking spot can significantly improve your car’s safety. Prevent your car from being stolen by parking in well-lit or crowded areas. Do not park your vehicle somewhere dark and secluded. If possible, park only in designated parking spaces or staffed car parks.
Double-check your car before you leave it in the parking spot. Secure all doors and windows to prevent unwanted access to your vehicle.
Do Not Leave Valuables in Your Car
You can make your car an easy target for thieves when you leave valuable items inside it. When you leave your car, don’t leave behind any valuables, such as purses, laptops, or cell phones. If you can’t bring these items with you, it’s best to keep them out of sight.
Invest in In-Car Security and Alarm Systems
Enhancing your car safety involves installing in-car security and alarm systems. Modern technology now makes it possible to enjoy peace of mind and deter car thieves.
Common examples of in-car security systems include steering wheel locks, gear stick locks, and pedal boxes. Another important security feature is a vehicle immobilizer system. Thieves can hotwire your vehicle but a vehicle immobilizer system can surpass this major security threat. This system will essentially disable your vehicle, which prevents any car thief from getting away with it.
Install a Vehicle Tracking System
A vehicle tracking system is a helpful tool in recovering your car, in case it is stolen. This system is a professionally installed tracking device that uses wireless technology, such as GPS, to determine your vehicle’s location. It helps police to recover your vehicle faster by identifying its location.
Conclusion
Knowing how to protect your car from theft is crucial. However, it is also important to know what to do if your car gets stolen. Report to the police immediately to let them know about the vehicle theft. The sooner you can alert the police and the more information you can provide them, the easier it is to track and recover your vehicle.
Keep a record of your vehicle information to easily identify your vehicle, in case of theft. The following information are what you need when filing a police report: year and make, model, color, license plate number, insurance policy number, vehicle identification number, location, special markings (such as dents or scratches), and any relevant serial numbers.
With these tips, you can have peace of mind and ensure that your investment is protected. It is also important to invest in an insurance policy and Mopar extended warranty that includes coverage and protection against vehicle theft and damage.
FAQs
What makes a car more likely to be stolen?
The lack of security systems and alarms make certain vehicles more vulnerable to theft than others. While most people think that newer and more modern vehicles are easy targets, those that lack security features are more prone to car theft.
Does a steering lock prevent theft?
Mo, a steering lock won’t deter thieves. There are tools nowadays that can easily remove the lock, which means that it can offer limited protection for your vehicle.
What is the most effective car theft deterrent?
There is not one tool or system that can effectively deter thieves. You need a combination of security systems to prevent car theft, such as a GPS tracking system, a car alarm, a steering wheel lock, tire locks, electronic immobilizer, and more.
