Items left within plain sight in your car are attractive to thieves who are looking for a quick score. Learn how to make your vehicle less attractive to burglars or those who want to steal the car.
Three Ways to Make Your Car Less Attractive to Thieves
Items in your car, such as loose change, your purse, backpack or GPS unit are all items that are attractive to thieves. Thieves will think nothing of prying your vehicle’s door open or smashing a window and grabbing what they can. The resulting damage and loss of your items could raise your auto insurance rates if you make a claim. Fortunately, you can take action to deter thieves, which may affect your online car insurance quotes for the better.
Consider Where You Park
When parking, choose a well-lit spot whenever possible. Bright lighting deters thieves. While shopping at a store, park near the store entrance or underneath a security camera. Lock your car’s doors and close the windows. At home, use your garage for parking rather than storage. The worth of your vehicle is likely higher than the boxes you’re storing away.
Use Theft Deterrents
Install a steering wheel lock and an auto alarm system. Put stickers on your vehicle’s windows stating that the car is alarmed. Thieves want a quick getaway and will not take the time to try to disable your vehicle alarm if there is an easier target just a few steps away.
Security Etching
If you have a rare or expensive car, its value can be a boon to would-be thieves. You can decrease the desirability of your vehicle to thieves by investing in security etching. This process involves making small etchings into the windows, wheels and engine. A thief that would try to steal your car and scrap it or sell it for parts would find no success because of the security etchings. Law enforcement can easily trace etched vehicle parts, curtailing the black market for stolen car parts.
Using these tips reduces the risk of having your car stolen or burglarized. Taking action now can help you save money on your auto insurance and reduces your chances of needing to file an insurance claim.