Car Theft Prevention Tips on Smart Security Options

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a vehicle is stolen ever 44 seconds in the United States. While 50% of the cars stolen are insured, there are actions you can take to prevent car theft before it’s too late.

6 Tips to Avoid Car Theft

Keep track of your keys

Keeping not only your keys, but also your spare keys on you at all times can help prevent numerous different types of car theft. Many people make the mistake of hiding their spare key under the wheel-well, some place under their car, or in a tool box and the problem is, criminals have caught on to this trick. Getting locked out of your car versus getting your car stolen is less of a headache and hassle in the long run, so keep your keys on you.

Secure your vehicle

Lock your windows and doors wherever you park, even if your car is parked in your own driveway. Although this seems like a basic security strategy, more than a third of car thefts take place during the night time and near the home of the car owner.

Park intelligently

Take note of well-lit areas and security cameras when looking for a place to park. Those extra layers of security protection impede criminals from committing theft. Parking garages are usually considered safe spaces to park; however, if the parking garage is isolate and empty you may compromise your personal safety. If there is no garage parking available, then look for those well-lit areas and security cameras.

Don’t keep valuables in your vehicle

Leaving personal valuables on the seat of your car unattended is what criminals have their eyes peeled for. Criminals will even break into your car just to take the spare change that is sitting in your cup holder. If you plan on leaving a valuable item in your car, put it in your trunk or under your seat. Be careful about hiding the item in public, the criminal may be watching to see where you put the item and if there is anything else he can take. This can be prevented by thinking ahead and leaving your valuables at home.

Don’t leave your car running

More than half of car thefts could have been avoided if the car owner had just turned off their car while not in use. We’ve all started our car and jumped out to get something inside leaving our cars running, but this is an invitation to thefts giving them the perfect opportunity to do their thing.

Take advantage of a tech-based auto-recovery tool

If you want to make an extra effort to prevent car theft, there are auto-theft recovery tools that could help you get your car back before it’s too late. Systems like OnStar use GPS technology to pinpoint your vehicle and send that information to law enforcement. OnStar also has the capabilities to block your car’s ignition while working with police efforts to signal your vehicle’s motor and make it slow down safely.

Hopefully these six tips will help you think ahead and make the most efforts to prevent car theft wherever you are.

Whether you are looking to insure a new driver or just looking to change insurance companies, it’s always good to give some thought to all the factors that go into your car insurance policy. If you still have questions after doing your own research, make sure to ask an agent and get the answers you need to make a confident decision.