Vehicle theft is a serious problem that affects millions of drivers every year. According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, a car is stolen every six minutes on average in this country. Not only is it a hassle and a loss for the owner, but it also drives up insurance rates for everyone.
Fortunately, there are some simple and effective ways to protect your vehicle from being stolen. In this blog post, we will share five tips that can help you keep your car safe and secure.
1. Use anti-theft devices
One of the best ways to deter thieves is to use a device that makes it harder or impossible for them to drive away with your car. For example, you can use a steering-wheel lock, such as The Club, that prevents the wheel from turning. You can also use a visible theft deterrent, such as a sticker or a flashing light, that warns potential thieves that your car has an alarm or an immobilizer.
If your car has a wireless key fob, you should also keep it in a Faraday box or pouch to block its signal. This prevents thieves from using a device that can capture and amplify the signal from your key fob and unlock or start your car remotely. This is known as electronic or relay theft and it is becoming more common with newer vehicles.
2. Park your car protectively
Another tip is to park your car in a safe and well-lit place where it is less likely to attract thieves. Avoid parking in dark alleys, isolated areas or places with poor visibility. If possible, park in a garage or a gated lot with security cameras or guards.
If you have two cars in a driveway, you can also park the less valuable one in such a way that it blocks in the more valuable one. This makes it harder for thieves to access or tow away your car.
3. Make sure you have an immobilizer
An immobilizer is an electronic security device that only allows the engine to start if the correct key is present. Most vehicles on the road today have an immobilizer, but if yours doesn’t, you should consider installing one. An immobilizer prevents thieves from bypassing the ignition and hot-wiring your car to start its engine.
You can check if your car has an immobilizer by looking for a symbol of a car with a key inside on your dashboard. If you see this symbol when you turn on the ignition, it means your car has an immobilizer.
4. Install a tracker
A tracker is a device that sends a signal to the police or a monitoring service in the event your vehicle is stolen. A tracker may not prevent theft, but it can help you locate and recover your vehicle faster. Some trackers can also alert you if your car is moved or tampered with.
There are different types of trackers available, such as GPS trackers, radio frequency trackers or cellular trackers. You can choose one that suits your budget and needs. Some insurance companies may also offer discounts if you have a tracker installed on your car.
5. Lock your doors and windows
Last but not least, always lock your doors and windows when you leave your car. This may sound obvious, but many people forget to do this or leave their windows slightly open for ventilation. Leaving the windows open or the keys inside can let a thief slip in a tool to open the door or start the engine.
You should also never leave your vehicle running unattended, even for a few minutes. This makes it easy for thieves to jump in and drive away with your car. Additionally, don’t leave any personal information or valuables in your car, such as wallets, phones, laptops or documents. These can tempt thieves to break into your car or use your identity for fraud.
By following these five tips, you can reduce the risk of having your vehicle stolen and save yourself from a lot of trouble and expense. Remember, prevention is better than cure when it comes to vehicle theft.
