Defend Your Car from Being Stolen
A Glimpse into the Mind of a Thief
Did you know a car is stolen every 24 seconds in the United States according to the Insurance Information Institute? Despite constant advice on how to thwart car thieves and the invention of new theft-deterrent technology, car theft continues to thrive as a menace in our society. So what can you do? In this blog, we will help you learn how to defend your car from being stolen by giving you a glimpse into the mind of a thief. Here are the top 10 ways cars are stolen, along with counter defenses you can take to stop them from happening to your vehicle.
- Bump the car to check for an alarm. It’s no secret that virtually no one pays attention to a car alarm anymore. Anything from a big truck passing by to a clap of thunder can set of a car alarm, so they do little to prevent car theft. Instead of a motion-sensitive alarm, you might instead install one that will page you once the alarm is activated.
- If there’s a steering wheel lock, cut the steering wheel. Even a steering wheel lock is no match for the most cunning thieves, as they will simply cut the wheel itself to circumvent the lock. Instead, you might consider a starter disable system.
- Break a window or pick the lock to enter a car. Thieves often use this method to gain entry into a car when they see valuables in plain sight through a car window. Keep valuable items out of sight in your car, and remove the face place to your car stereo if possible and take it with you.
- Look for car alarm decals for hints on how to disable the alarm. Don’t put up stickers that reveal what type of car alarm or car stereo equipment you have. You might also consider using a hood lock to prevent thieves from accessing your battery or alarm.
- Look for exposed wiring to be cut. Thieves will try to find exposed wiring or the central mechanism of your car alarm to disable it. You can thwart this effort by having your alarm put in by a professional alarm installer instead of at a retail chain store. A professional alarm technician will know what it takes to make your car immune to thieves.
- Get into an unattended running car. While you are at the ATM, returning a video you rented, etc., a thief can jump in your unlocked, running car and steal it in a split second. Don’t ever leave your keys in the car even for just a minute or two.
- Find the car’s title, registration, or anything with your personal info on it. You should keep your registration and insurance information with you at all times. Don’t ever leave any personal information in the car.
- Stake out major events. Car thieves love the large parking lots of theaters, sporting events, etc. because they offer a large selection of cars in one area. Try to park where there is security, foot traffic, or parking attendants.
- Copy vehicle info & get a replacement key made. Instead of etching the VIN number onto the major parts of your car, drop your business card into the doors through the window.
- Find the spare key the owner hid. Don’t leave spare keys in your car or attached to it. Thieves know where to look.
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