Auto Theft Checklist
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), a vehicle is stolen every 26 seconds in the United States. However, this doesn’t take into account the number of automobile break ins resulting in the theft personal property. Either way to prevent auto theft you need to reduce your risks of being targeted.
If you implement the following strategies you will be significantly less likely to be targeted. As with most crime, prevention is the key to safety.
Learn to reduce the risks of auto theft
Secure your vehicle:
- Consider installing a steering wheel lock that is equipped with an alarm function. The more auto theft deterrents your car has the better.
- Close and lock your garage doors at home. A lot of crimes are committed as “crimes of opportunity”. By closing and locking your garage, you reduce the chance of a criminal targeting you as a quick cash atm. As well, locking your garage can help you fend off thieves with remote code grabbers. (a code grabber steals your remote garage door opener’s frequency)
- Park in well-lit areas that are secure and safe. What makes a parking area safe? Check the list below.
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- Visible security cameras.
- Security guards and parking attendants who actively patrol the parking lot
- A gated parking lot with access passes
- Well lit both at night and throughout the day
- Lots of pedestrian traffic
- Make sure you roll your windows up entirely before exiting your vehicle.
- Always lock your vehicle regardless of where you park, even at home. This becomes an automatic habit that will prevent you from forgetting to lock your vehicle in higher risk areas
- Always take your keys with you. Never leave your car with the ignition running, even if you are just stepping into a store for a minute. You’d be surprised how many cars get stolen this way.
- Don’t let them get away…Install a tracking device. The cost of GPS tracking has come down greatly over the past few years. A live GPS tracker will come with a monthly fee, whereas a passive gps tracker like the i-trail requires you to plug the device into your computer to map out the trail taken. Passive gps is generally considered better to prevent joy riding or children taking the car without permission.
- Make a record of your VIN (vehicle identification number). It is usually located on the dashboard near the front windshield or on the inside of the driver’s side door. Consider permanently etching the VIN number on your cars windshield and windows.
- Car stereo equipment = auto theft. It is a good idea to choose a car stereo that can be removed and locked in the trunk out of sight.
- When parking, make sure you turn your wheels toward the curb. This helps prevent more experienced thieves from towing your vehicle. Its also a good idea to use your emergency brake while leaving the transmission in park or in gear.
- See if your community provides a “watch your car program” like the one in Maryland, and if not, consider starting one. Essentially, neighbors and police prevent auto theft by placing stickers on their car that states they are part of the “watch your car” program. If your car is seen being driven during the agreed upon hours (i.e. 1:00 am to 5:00am) a police officer may stop the vehicle to verify ownership permission.
- Always hide valuable items such as: shopping bags, expensive sunglasses, cell phones, MP3 players and other gadgets under the seats, in the glove box, or in the trunk.
- Get a Smart Key: Keys containing radio frequencies or coded computer chips will help protect against auto theft by ensuring that your car will only start with one specific key.
- Never ever hide a second key in or on your car
So who pays for these crimes? You, your family, and your community. We’re all victims through higher insurance premiums. An auto theft can be financially devastating, not to mention a major hassle and the chance of getting your vehicle back without gps tracking is slim. The FBI indicates that only 52.7 percent of stolen vehicles are recovered.
It pays to be prepared for auto theft, and now you are.