How To Protect Yourself from Car Theft

Over 773,000 vehicles were reported stolen by the FBI's Uniform Crime Reports in 2017. The Insurance Information Institute (III) reports that a car is stolen in the United States every 40.9 seconds.

Therefore, how can you help prevent yourself from being a carjacking victim? If you want to keep your automobile safe, here are some things you can do:

Ensure That Your Doors Are Locked

The first line of defense against a burglar is a closed door. It's a good idea to inspect your vehicle doors regularly.

Carry Your Keys Out of The Car

The National Insurance Crime Bureau advises drivers to never leave their keys in the ignition (NICB). A criminal only needs to smash a window and drive away if your key is in the ignition.

Do Not Use a Second Key to Lock Your Vehicle.

Leaving your automobile without your keys is not recommended by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It's very common for individuals to store a backup key beneath the vehicle or in the glove compartment if they find themselves locked out, but criminals are well-versed in the practice. The inconvenience of being locked out of your car is bad enough without dealing with the added concern of having your vehicle stolen.

Close the Windows

Our team at Highway Hero Driving Academy always suggests to our students that they keep all of their windows closed at all times. If your car's window is open, a burglar can reach in and take everything they can reach, or they can unlock the door and take everything inside with them.

Park In a Lighted Area

Keep your vehicle out of the way by parking in well-lit locations rather than those difficult to see. Firestone Complete Auto Care recommends parking beneath a light in a well-traveled area because criminals may be discouraged if they know they can be readily observed.

Put an Alarm System

Placing an audible alarm system and deploying a conspicuous anti-theft device are recommended by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). When activated, an audible alarm will make a loud noise if someone tries to enter the car while the alarm is activated. According to the NHTSA, a prospective burglar may be scared away by the noise. Car alarms come in a wide range of prices, but you may need a mechanic or an alarm professional to install them, particularly if the installation entails dealing with the vehicle's electrical system.

According to the NHTSA, an alarm system's flashing light or a steering wheel lock, for example, may dissuade a vehicle burglar as well. Firestone warns that if they aren't confident they can get away with the automobile quietly or are afraid they will be caught, they may avoid it altogether.

Put In a Vehicle Immobilizer

By utilizing a vehicle immobilizer, you help prevent thieves from "hotwiring" your car's ignition and bypassing your security system. Wireless ignition authentication and smart keys may be included in immobilizer systems, according to the NICB. Therefore, an intruder will have no way of getting away with the car after they have disabled it. Choose a mechanic or expert who knows how to work with your car's wiring and computer systems to install the immobilizer.

Set Up a Tracking Mechanism

Installing a tracking system, also known as a car recovery system, may be something you want to think about. A professional installation, like with the other alarms, may be required. Your vehicle's location will be sent to the police or a monitoring agency through Wi-Fi and/or GPS technology when it is stolen, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). This might speed up the police's efforts to locate and reclaim your car.

Sound Off

Which one of these anti-theft practices is the most beneficial? Which is the easiest to do as a new driver? What else can a person do to protect his or her car from being stolen? Let us know in the comments!