At first glance, it would appear that Americans know how to protect their vehicle from theft. The last time the National Insurance Crime Bureau checked, nearly 80 percent of the drivers they polled said they “always” lock their vehicles and 93 percent said they “never” leave spare keys inside.
Then there’s that thing known as the “other side of the coin.” The same survey also found that:
- Nearly 50 percent of adults “don’t always” park in a well-lit area.
- About 40 percent say they don’t bother to hide their valuables, with one-quarter admitting that they regularly leave a purse or wallet inside their vehicle.
- One-third of adults leave their car unattended while it’s running.
You might say that you would “never” make these slips, but sometimes people unwittingly put their own safety at risk when they’re in a hurry. Learn how to protect your car from theft in seven simple, speedy steps with the help of law enforcement and insurance experts:
- Anti-theft tip 1: Always lock your vehicle, even if it’s parked in your driveway. This one move alone can reduce your chance of becoming a victim of vehicle theft by 60 percent, according to the people who ought to know: the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
- Anti-theft tip 2: Never leave keys in the ignition. There’s vehicle theft – as in the unlawful removal of possessions from a vehicle – and then there’s the theft of an entire vehicle. Leaving the keys in the ignition is practically an invitation to steal it all, and the numbers bear this out: the department says that leaving keys in the ignition elevates the risk of vehicle theft (as in, the vehicle itself) by 80 percent.
- Anti-theft tip 3: Roll up your windows. Crafty car thieves need no more than a slight opening to break into a vehicle. Rolling up the windows all the way can reduce the likelihood of vehicle theft by 20 percent, the department says.
- Anti-theft tip 4: Always park in a well-lit area, preferably right under a light. Car thieves tend to avoid anything that shines a light on their “work.”
- Anti-theft tip 5: Never leave valuables – defined as anything of value to you – in your vehicle. If you must stash them there for the sake of convenience, lock them in the trunk. Or – least desirable but better than leaving valuables in plain view – tuck them under a seat.
- Anti-theft tip 6: Never leave your vehicle running and unattended. You may think you move fast as you dash in and out of a store with your vehicle parked right outside. But a watchful car thief can pounce on your vehicle the second you turn your back. Learning how to protect your car from theft means never letting your guard down.
- Anti-theft tip 7: Consider installing some high-tech security devices, such as an alarm, vehicle immobilizer or GPS tracking system. You might get a break on your car insurance premiums, too.
At Valley Automall, we’re always happy to pass along tips on how to protect your car from theft. After all, once we help our customers buy or lease a vehicle, we want to ensure they enjoy the vehicle – not an unscrupulous car thief.