Your car is your trusted companion on the road, so knowing how to prevent car theft and what will help keep it secure is greatly important. The good news is that there are several proactive steps you can take to protect your car from theft. In this guide, we’ll explore the top 10 ways to ensure that your vehicle remains safe for your peace of mind.
To ensure a basic level of security for your vehicle, always double (even triple) check that you have locked your car! It’s something that many of us do out of habit, and so we don’t even notice when we’ve forgotten. Even if you’re only leaving your vehicle for a short period of time, always make sure you have locked the doors and wound the windows all the way up.
Top tip: It’s important to note that in the unfortunate case of theft, a lot of insurers will not pay out if they suspect your vehicle was unlocked.
Not only useful as an excellent visible deterrent, but a lock on your steering wheel is also a physical barrier to thieves. This is an effective way to enhance your car’s security for an affordable price. They are generally very easy to use and don’t require any professional help to set up, however make sure to do your research to find the best option for your vehicle.
Installing an alarm is a great technique to deter car theft. A car alarm works to protect your car and valuables by scaring off thieves in the act. It can save you money if your insurer offers a discount on alarm-protected cars. Some modern alarms also give you the option to have an alert sent to an app on your phone if someone attempts to steal it.
Undoubtedly, the location you choose to park contributes to keeping your car safe. If you live near a secure carpark or are lucky enough to have a dedicated space that comes with your home (such as a driveway or carpark under an apartment building), parking here will always be safer than on the road. Secure carparks are usually equipped with CCTV and require a code to enter, which makes these effective in protecting your car from theft.
If you must park your car in a public place or unsecure carpark, make sure you choose a space that is well-lit and preferably in a populated area surrounded by other cars. A brightly lit area will help with car theft protection, as the chances of a criminal being caught is a lot higher than in a dark, secluded place.
Investing in a GPS tracking device is another effective method to help protect your car. A tracker will inform you of your vehicle’s location, including in the event of it being stolen. You may need to get one installed by a professional - however, if your car is taken by a thief, you can pass the tracking information onto the police who may be able to recover your vehicle more quickly and easily.
Unfortunately, something that can easily be done by accident is leaving your keys inside your vehicle. Always triple-check you have your keys before you leave your vehicle to prevent car theft.
To help deter a thief from your car, never store valuables in your car – even if you’ve hidden them in your glovebox or boot. Make sure that there are no belongings left on show that may entice thieves into breaking into or stealing your car. Never leave any of your vehicle documents inside either, as a thief could use them to pretend to be the owner.
Immobilisers are one of the best ways to prevent car theft. The device works by blocking the engine from switching on until the correct key or transponder signal is recognised. This means that the vehicle physically can't be moved by someone who does not own the keys. It’s been mandatory for all cars manufactured since 1998 to have a factory-fitted immobiliser, so it’s likely that your car already has one. You can check the owner’s manual to find out if your vehicle has an immobiliser or not.
If you park your car at home, a simple way to help protect your car is to install CCTV - making sure you mount the camera somewhere where your car can be seen. Having the ability to see your car from an app on your phone will help to prevent car theft by giving you the opportunity to stop a theft before it happens. Alternatively, CCTV can be used as a form of evidence if the worst does happen and your vehicle gets stolen.
So, if you’ve been wondering what will help you to keep your car secure, we hope our top tips have given you some food for thought. For assistance with installing devices to prevent car theft, please don’t hesitate to contact your local centre. Or, if you want to double-check your car is running smoothly, then you can book a service.
