Imagine saving up month after month, denying yourself a lot of things so you can get your dream car. Just to have it stolen from somewhere you parked it… that’s a nightmare that could take a long time to wake up from.
Car theft is on the rise in different countries in the world. And car thieves are usually part of a bigger industry. Once these cars are stolen, especially high-end vehicles, they are taken to a secure place. They are reprogrammed, looks are changed, some are scrapped for parts and then sold or exported.
Vehicle manufacturers are very much aware of these low lives and with every new model continue to improve car security. On the other hand, criminals are also getting smarter and devising new ways to crack the car’s security system. It’s a race
In today’s world, car security has gone beyond having your car keys snatched. Criminals make use of hi-tech, non-invasive techniques, vehicle cloning, and can slip under the radar without being noticed.
Whenever you leave your car at GPS any car park your priority should be the safety of your vehicle.
In 2019 the most popular car stolen in the US was the 2000 Honda Civic followed by the the1997 Honda Accord according to National Insurance Crime Bureau. See Data
The top three vehicles that were stolen in 2019 ranked, 47,859 thefts for 2018 vehicles, 45,118 thefts for 2019 vehicles, and 39,425 thefts for 2017 vehicles.
Asides from the security provided by your car manufacturer, there are a few things you can do to avoid losing your vehicle to thieves.
Mistakes People Make That Allow Their Car to be Stolen
Vehicle owners have a role to play in protecting their vehicles. Common mistakes a lot of vehicle owners make that make them prone to vehicle theft…
Leaving their keys in unsecured places, parking in a high-risk area, leaving valuables in their vehicles, not locking their car doors, or leaving their car running.
To help protect your car and sleep better at night knowing your car is secure, check our top security tips. They will help minimize the risk of being a victim of car theft…
8 Car Security Tips to Know
- Always Keep Your Car Keys Safe
You may think, obviously… but the truth is a lot of car owners are unaware when they lose their car keys. This safety tip is easily dismissed by many car owners. You are likely to lose your car keys when you make quick stops at the mall, a shop, or even the gas station.
Avoid leaving your car keys by the window, near your house doors, in the visors, or GPS visible places. Having your keys stolen is the criminals’ easiest option to have access to your vehicle. This is because it will not trigger your car’s security system.
If you have a spare keep it in a safe place away from your car and others. If you purchased a used car, have your keys reprogrammed to disable potential break in’s and maximize security.
For a keyless key fob, consider purchasing a key pouch. This will prevent the key fob’s signal from being transmitted and prevent a break-in. If you lose your keys, have an MLA-approved locksmith block your lost key from being used as soon as possible.
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Make Use of a Car Alarm
Installing a car alarm system is a great way to secure your vehicle. It alerts you if there is an attempt to break into your vehicle. A lot of modern cars come with a pre-installed alarm which has features like sending notifications to the owner’s mobile phone if there is an intruder.
Install an alarm that is not easily triggered, when there is an unauthorized entry the siren is loud enough to alert passersby of suspicious activity. This can also disorganize the car criminal and may protect your car from theft.
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Use of Steering Wheel Lock
This is one of the simplest ways to discourage car thieves and protect your vehicle from getting stolen. The lock is very visible from the outside because they are very colorful and fits directly on the steering wheel and prevents its movement.
The steering wheel lock provides extra protection and makes it difficult for high-tech criminals who do not require heavy tools to break in. You can also invest in handbrake and gearstick locks – they pretty much work the same way.
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Fit a Car Immobilizer
A car immobilizer is an electronic anti-theft device that prevents your car from being hotwired or started without the right key. It disables the parts of the vehicle that turns it on, like the fuel and ignition system.
If your vehicle does not have an already installed immobilizer, you should have it installed – especially in older vehicles. An immobilizer may not necessarily stop a thief from breaking in but moving will be the problem – making the thief’s job more difficult.
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Make use of Wheel Clamps
Wheel clamps discourage theft and you don’t need to break a bank to have the much-needed peace knowing your car is protected. The wheel clamp locks your wheels and prevents the car from moving. Once installed, they cannot be removed without the right tools and cause a ruckus when been removed.
They usually come in bright colors making them very visible and completely cover the wheel nuts stopping thieves from stealing your wheels. When using wheel clamps, use heavier ones as they are more difficult to remove and more secure.
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Install a GPS Tracking Device
One of the best ways to secure your car is to install a GPS tracker, which tracks your vehicle’s location. Modern GPS technology alerts you in real-time in case of any vibration detected in your vehicle.
The two main types of trackers are the GPS system which locates your vehicle at street level and VHF which locates your vehicle if it is underground or in a storage unit.
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Car Etching
This is an effective way of discouraging criminals from stealing your vehicle. Car etching is simply marking your windows, headlamps, or mirrors with the seven-digit of your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). this makes it more difficult for thieves to completely change the identity of your vehicle.
Further Reading
- 5 Sites you Need to Check Before Buying a Used Car
- What Should I Check For When Buying a Car
- Everything You Need to Know about Buying Used Cars
- How Saving Money at a Used Car Auction Actually Works
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Personal Security
As a car owner, you need to be intentional about your car security. Always lock your car doors – it may seem obvious but a lot of theft occurs because vehicle owners forget to lock their doors and criminals have easy access to the vehicles.
Remove valuables from your car – this may be a reason for thieves who had no intention of stealing at that time to target your vehicle. Make sure you do not leave expensive valuables that can attract thieves.
Park in a secure area especially at night. Any vehicle is parked in an unsecured environment may be a target for thieves to attack. Consider parking in a garage or in locations where there is a CCTV camera or in well-lit environments and avoid high-risk areas.
What You to do if Your Car is Stolen
First, contact the police as soon as possible. You will be asked to provide information about your car: the year, make and model, license plate number, VIN. You should also contact your insurance company within 24 hours and notify them that your vehicle has been stolen.
If your vehicle has a GPS tracking system, it will be easier for the police to track down your vehicle. If you parked where there are CCTV cameras, the footage can also be used to track down your vehicle.
There is no guarantee that a stolen vehicle will be recovered, but with the car security systems installed in your vehicle, it would make stealing the vehicle more difficult and tracking easier.
We wish no one falls victim to auto theft but sadly, is on the rise. We hope these tips will help you protect your vehicle and help you sleep better at night.
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