How to Protect Your Car from Theft
When it comes to those cars that are most likely to be stolen, you might think that they would be flashy sports cars or SUVs. Would you be surprised to know that’s not the case? (And that’s because most stolen cars are actually stripped for their parts, which can be more valuable than the actual value of the car). According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, the most frequently stolen car in America is the Honda Accord. (over 52,000 of them were stolen last year!) followed by the Honda Civic (with nearly 50,000 stolen).
None of us wants to be the victim of auto theft so what can you do to make sure your vehicle stays safe? There are quite a few options and – not surprisingly – several of them will help you save money on your auto insurance!
Common sense is your best friend when it comes to keeping your car safe. If you have a garage, use it. If you have to park on the street or are at the mall parking lot or in a parking garage, make sure your car is in a well-lit area. Never, ever leave your keys in the ignition when you run into a store and don’t leave valuables (like a briefcase, pocketbook, phone or GPS) visible when you’re not in the car.
Consider buying something mechanical like a special lock for your hood (which deters thieves from getting access to your battery to jumpstart your car). A particularly good deterrent and one that is highly visible to anyone looking inside your car is a steering wheel lock. The most popular one sold is “The Club” and it locks your steering wheel in place so that your car cannot be driven unless the lock is removed.
Just like having an alarm system in your home is a great idea, having a car alarm is also very helpful in protecting your auto. Although they are a little more expensive to install post-purchase (and many cars will come with them already included), the noise they make when someone tries to break a window or pry open your car door can be deafening. If you do have a car alarm, displaying the sticker for the alarm system on your windows might even be enough to stop people from attempting to break in!
The most expensive option on the market is a tracking system. Many times when you buy a new car, your vehicle may come with the system already included (OnStar) or you will be offered the option to buy a system as an add-on (Lojack). Both systems have transmitters embedded in the car and – if you report your car as stolen to the service – the transmitter is activated and starts sending out a signal about the car’s location. The Lojack company claims it recovers 90% of vehicles reported as stolen while OnStar helps police recover vehicles but also offers additional features like automatic door unlock (if you’ve locked your keys in your car).
Having things like a car alarm or a vehicle tracking system can definitely reduce your auto insurance costs for comprehensive insurance by 10-15%. Be sure to call one of our insurance agents so they can help you get all the discounts you’re entitled to when you take those extra steps to protect your car from being stolen.
