According to studies, in 2020 alone there were nearly 800,000 people who experienced car theft. Without a doubt, car theft negatively impacts your daily life. Not only does it affect you financially, but it is incredibly inconvenient. This would require you to make special arrangements for all of your daily tasks, including running kids to and from school, going shopping, and traveling for work. Preventing your car from being stolen in the first place is the easiest way to avoid all of this hassle. We’re going to provide you with some advice today to assist you in doing just that.
Keep Your Doors Locked and Your Windows Closed
Locking the doors and closing the windows whenever you are not in the vehicle is one of the easiest ways to protect it. Most car thieves are opportunists who wait for a chance to strike. Open windows and unguarded doors can easily lure criminals in or give them a place to creep in and make a quick getaway. If potential thieves can not get into your car right away, they will typically just leave.
Park In Areas That are Safe
Be careful when deciding where you park your car. When possible, park your car in a secure garage that is not open to the public; this might be your personal garage or a company facility that requires a fob to enter. If you must park on the street, pick your spot wisely. Start by looking for well-lit areas where a burglar would be deterred. Avoid secluded areas where a criminal could gain entry to your vehicle without being seen. Finally, look for parking spaces beneath CCTV cameras or other security devices, especially in parking lots. A thief may be put off by the prospect of being caught on camera.
Install Safety Devices
In most circumstances, simple precautions such as locking your doors, closing your windows, and parking in well-lit areas will be sufficient to keep criminals out of your car. However, for individuals who desire extra security, there are a few solutions available. First, a vehicle immobilizer stops a criminal from starting the vehicle without the keys. These are typically integrated into newer vehicles, however, after-market immobilizers are available for older vehicles as well. A steering wheel lock is another item you can buy. This device fits your steering wheel and locks it until it is unlocked with a key. A steering wheel lock helps deter thieves since it makes it more difficult to take your vehicle, increasing the chance of being caught.
Don`t Keep Things of Great Value inside your Vehicle
Prominent valuables within a vehicle can be appealing to would-be robbers. Avoid leaving your handbag, phone, or other valuables in your vehicle. Also, don’t leave shopping bags or other luggage in your car because they show the existence of something new or valuable, regardless of whether they’re empty or only hold groceries. Alternatively, you might leave your items in the trunk of your car. Consider employing a cargo cover if your truck or SUV has a cargo area.
Install a Tracking System
You should think about installing a tracking system, often known as a car recovery system. Similar to other alarms, you may need to have the device installed by a professional. When your automobile is stolen, this tracking device will use wireless and/or GPS technology to send a signal to the police or a monitoring agency indicating the whereabouts of your vehicle, according to the NICB. This may help the cops recover your vehicle more quickly.
What Should You Do If Your Car Is Stolen?
As soon as you discover that your car has been stolen, contact the police. You should also let your insurance company know within 24 hours. You might have to tell the police the following details, according to the NHTSA:
The car’s year, make, model, and color
License plate number
Identification Number of the Vehicle (also called the “VIN”)
Do not attempt to recover your own vehicle if you discover it after it has been stolen. You need to immediately dial the police.
Although no one can ever be completely ready for having their vehicle stolen, we hope that these practical suggestions were useful and will help you avoid these issues in the future. For any help or assistance, you can talk to our expert and professional locksmiths at ontimelocksmiths.com.