Car theft is a nightmare for vehicle owners. It’s not only the loss of transport, in which significant funds have been invested, that is concerning, but also the necessity to spend money on searching and waste time on solving related issues. Knowing that stolen vehicles are often used for parts, there are sometimes contentious cases with undetermined auto parts, leading to the confiscation of the vehicles, which are subsequently put up for sale at a car auction in the USA. The best option to avoid such problems is to think about car protection.
According to statistics, criminals are primarily attracted to vehicles that are not equipped with anti-theft alarms and are left by their owners next to the objects of retail chains and large cultural events outside the protected parking lots. To keep our readers aware, here you will find some tips on how to protect a car from theft. Remember that any money spent on ensuring the safety of the automobile is justified and will prevent both the theft of the car and the loss of the property in it.
How Do Criminals Choose a Victim?
There are also some time-tested principles and regularities regarding how a victim is selected for theft. Premium-class cars are usually stolen to order, for export abroad, or for redemption. Most often, these are business class models, particularly Toyota, Mitsubishi, Honda, BMW, or Mercedes. Cheap vehicles are often disassembled for spare parts and scrap metal. Common cars in the economy segment in good condition are resold by changing the parts and body numbers.
In all cases of hijacking, surveillance precedes. Criminals observe a potential victim closely, particularly the owner’s behavior, and study the installed security systems. This activity is sometimes carried out by employees of service stations, car washes, or dealerships.
Owners of white, black, and silver vehicles are most at risk. A brightly-colored rare model attracts too much attention and stands out in the traffic flow, so they aren’t as often touched.
To avoid theft, we would like to remind you that all valuable items should be removed from the car if you leave it. They also attract the attention of criminals. Side windows, locks, and doors may be damaged when trying to take possession of them.
Anti-Theft Devices for Vehicles
There are many ways to protect your car from theft, including state-of-the-art vehicle alarms and simple amateur tricks. It’s not only about private transport. Auto companies, specialized construction organizations, and agricultural enterprises must take precautions to protect their fleet from theft.
Today, any person can find the following anti-theft devices that will help to protect a car:
- steering lock;
- wheel locking bracket;
- steel pedal lock;
- car alarm system;
- electronic ignition lock;
- GPS tracker for monitoring;
- parking lot with physical security and video surveillance.
Insuring your car in case of theft is always a great idea. Remember that not only the appraised value is important for calculating the insurance coverage, but also the brand of the car and the protection measures taken.
Key Rules on How to Protect Your Car
The main pieces of advice, compliance with which reduces the risk of owners of vehicles becoming victims of crime, are:
- After purchasing a vehicle, equip it with an anti-theft system, an alarm system, and a GPS.
- If your car is equipped with a super-sophisticated security system, don’t stick its manufacturer’s logo on the glass. This makes it easier for criminals.
- Always remove the key from the ignition lock, even if you’re going to inspect the car’s tires or simply wipe the glass. Never leave the vehicle with the engine running.
- While you’re inside the car, don’t forget to close the locks from the inside if you are stuck in a traffic jam for a long time or waiting for someone in a deserted place. This will protect you from a sudden attack by intruders.
- When leaving the car unattended, be sure to lock it and activate the anti-theft device and alarm system, even if the vehicle is stored in the garage.
- Never keep a second set of keys in the car. Don’t leave your documents in the glove box or in other places. Otherwise, you’ll make it much easier for the thief to “legalize” the car.
- If you are stopped by strangers, don’t turn off the ignition and don’t open the door.
- Avoid dubious service stations. Don’t leave your vehicle with the keys to unfamiliar craftsmen or employees of parking lots and car washes, especially at night.
- Don’t leave purses, wallets, or women’s handbags in the car. These things will attract the attention of petty thieves, who can not only steal things but also damage the locks, glass, and car bodies.
- Never leave your car unattended in a yard or along a roadside overnight. If possible, park the vehicle in a guarded parking lot. Make it a habit: before you get out of the car, look around. If everything is fine, quietly turn on the anti-theft device.
To avoid illegal possession of the vehicle, it’s necessary to equip it with an anti-theft device, combining electronics and mechanical tricks. In order for the attacker to completely abandon his plan, you need to use a multi-level approach to protect the car. Finding out the history of the car and making sure it is not stolen will help to check the vin-code. Besides all that, remember that the vehicle owner’s prudence is the main safety step.
