If you have bought your own vehicle, you have probably put a lot of work into acquiring it. Even if it was a gift, it could be the key to your livelihood and the most necessary piece of property in your life. It is worth too much for someone just to take it from you, and you have every right to defend your property at any cost. There are some smart ways to deter thieves from even trying to take your vehicle though. Here are five preventative measures to ward off potential car thieves.
Garage It
When thieves come to a residential area to steal cars, they prefer cars in the driveway or on the street. If your car is in a secure building, it is far less likely to get stolen. It is an investment in your home and its value. Additional security to the garage will also require home security pricing comparisons because this is an expensive investment in your property and car’s protection.
Beef up Home Security
Speaking of home security pricing comparisons, building a garage may not be an option for a variety of reasons, or it may not be able to accommodate all of your vehicles, so you can add extra home security. Flood lights, alarms for your home and car and other measures will all be expensive, but they will protect your car, property and add to your overall property value. Do a thorough home security pricing comparison for supplies and security companies to install and possibly monitor.
Don’t Leave Valuables in Sight
According to a report published by the Center for Problem-Oriented Policing, opportunity is “the principle cause of crime.” If this is the case, then most crime can be prevented by making it inconvenient or unappealing. All you have to do is put yourself in the thief’s position. If you saw two cars and one had a bag of fast food trash while the other had a tablet and watch in open view, you would opt to steal the car with the bonus gifts. Put your valuables out of site to prevent your car from being stolen or broken into.
Hidden Kill Switches
A car thief has the hardest time starting a car without the key during the robbery process. Your problem is the thief is acutely aware the ignition is the way to get the car started, but a kill switch means the thief also needs to find a hidden connector to get the car started, which is usually hidden under the passenger seat.
Take Your Steering Wheel With You
A thief cannot drive your car away without a steering wheel, and they will probably not try breaking in to take the car if they see no steering wheel. If your car’s steering wheel has a quick-release hub, use it to pop off your steering wheel. You can have one installed too. The thief and your car will not go anywhere if you make driving it impossible.
I hope you put these tips to practical use in your life. Trying to recover a stolen car is an arduous process, especially getting it back in the condition it was before it was stolen. Also, your insurance company will be sympathetic personally but often not financially. It is better in the long run to take preventative measures to protect your car.