7 tips to prevent your vehicle from being stolen
Unfortunately, when times are tough and the cost of living increases, so does the rate of crime. With a 43% increase in vehicle theft from 2021 to 2022, it’s more important than ever to be vigilant and do what you can to prevent your car from being broken into or stolen.
If you have comprehensive vehicle insurance, this will help you recover the cost of your vehicle, but if you can help prevent theft in the first place, you’ll save yourself a lot of time and hassle. Here are some tips to help you keep your vehicle safe from prying eyes and hands.
1. Lock your car at all times
This might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised by how many people forget to lock their cars in their rush to their destination. The harder you can make it for thieves, the better, and locking your car is an important step that you don’t want to miss. Even if you have to head back to your car to double-check, it’ll be worth your time.
2. Don’t leave valuables on display
If your car gets broken into, it’s not your fault of course, but it helps if you don’t have anything valuable sitting in plain sight. Many car thefts are done by opportunists who happen to pass by and see something they like inside the car. It only takes a quick smash and grab, and you’re left without your valuable items and needing a window replacement.
3. Park in well-lit areas
Whenever you’re parking away from home or outside your home, make sure to park directly under a street light where possible. Avoid parking near dark, shady areas where it’s more difficult for passersby to see someone breaking into your vehicle. If a light is shining right onto your car, it’s pretty easy for any neighbouring security cameras to pick up the details of the perpetrator, so any thieves are likely to avoid it.
4. Install an alarm system
Most new cars are fitted with a built-in alarm system, but they’re also able to be retrofitted if you have an older vehicle or one without one. Alarms are especially important when scaring away would-be thieves; they’re loud and draw attention quickly, all things thieves definitely want to avoid. Even having a small flashing light in your car that looks like an alarm might do the trick.
5. Make your car unique
The more unique and attention-grabbing you can make your car, the better it is to help prevent it being stolen. The last thing a car thief wants is to make off with a car that will be easily recognised. Some unique markers like stickers might not be enough as they can be removed, but something like your car’s VIN number etched onto the door panels or the windows might work as thieves won’t want to pay to replace these.
6. Fit a tracker
Again, most newer cars come with in-built tracking technology, but you can purchase devices for cars that don’t. Although a tracker won’t necessarily stop a thief from stealing your car, it will help you recover it after it’s been taken—something that police will find extremely useful when tracking down the perpetrator.
7. Get the right cover
It’s important that you have the right cover in place to help you recover your costs should your car get stolen. You might think you’re saving money by only having third-party cover, but if thieves steal your vehicle and you’re not covered, you’ll be out of pocket in more ways than one. If you’re not sure what your existing policy covers or you think you might need a new one, come and chat to our expert team today.
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