4 Easy Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Car Crimes

Anyone who owns a car worries occasionally about how to keep it safe from car theft, break-ins, and other criminal actions. While it’s true that an insurance policy may cover any loss you incur, nobody wants to deal with the hassle of making a police report, filing an insurance claim, and dealing with car repairs or recovery. Here are a few ways you can keep your vehicle, its occupants, and your belongings safe from criminals.

Lock Your Vehicle

The advice to lock your car may be obvious, but it’s surprising how many vehicle crimes take place simply because the owner didn’t lock it up before walking away. Today’s technology provides different ways of achieving this, such as a key fob, keyless entry, or even the ability to lock your vehicle with a smartphone app remotely. Before you leave your car in the parking lot or driveway, be sure to tug at the handle to make sure it’s locked.

Choose Your Parking Spot Carefully

Thieves are less likely to target vehicles that are parked in public, well-lit areas.  At home, if you have a garage, use it. If you must park in a driveway, make sure it’s well-lit, and park as close to the house as you can. When parking in public lots, look for spots with foot traffic, good lighting, and security camera coverage. You may find it well worth the added expense to pay for secure parking instead of a free spot that isn’t monitored or patrolled.

Hide Your Valuables

If you want to deter criminals from taking your stuff, it’s best not to tempt them by leaving it in plain sight.  Purses, electronics, shopping bags, and other valuables should be kept in either the trunk of the car or a back seat with tinted windows. If possible, cover them with a coat or throw blanket. If your vehicle has a hatchback instead of a trunk, conceal its contents beneath a cargo cover. Take advantage of the locking glove box for small valuables. Better still, take your valuable items with you when you leave the car.

Keep Your Keys Secure

The location where you keep your car keys can have a significant impact on your car’s security. For example, if you’re out at a restaurant, don’t leave your keys sitting on the table when you go to use the restroom. That’s obvious. However, even when you’re at home, think twice about where you leave the keys. If you drop your keys on a table beside the front door, it’s easy for a burglar to grab them and speed off with your car.

There’s another reason to watch where you keep your keys. Relay theft is an increasing danger for owners of cars with keyless entry. Criminals can obtain a device that amplifies your key fob’s radio signal, tricking the car into unlocking. If your vehicle starts with a push-button, thieves can even drive away with your car. Prevent this by keeping your keys as far away from the car as possible, or storing them inside a metal box.

For those who are obsessed with safety from car crimes, there are many safety devices on the market. However, just practicing these four easy tips can keep away all but the most determined thieves.

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