Vehicles are costly, and their maintenance cost is often relatively high as well. None of us wants their car to be stolen. Since vehicle theft is quite common in urban areas, you should take some precautionary measures to ensure your car’s safety, so you don’t have to panic every time you park your vehicle somewhere.

In 2017, more than 773,000 vehicles were reportedly stolen, according to the FBI’s UCR (Uniform Crime Reports). Although car theft has declined in recent years, a motor vehicle is stolen every 40.9 seconds in the US, as reported by the Insurance Information Institute (III).

According to the III, thieves are now using more sophisticated techniques for stealing cars, such as using intelligent keys and swapping vehicle registration numbers to prevent detection. So, what can you do to prevent yourself from being a car theft victim? Keep a close eye on your car’s security and take precautions to keep it safe. Here are a few steps you can take to help keep your vehicle safe.

1. Install an Immobilizer or Vehicle Tracking System

When your vehicle is stolen, the police will use vehicle tracking systems to locate it. This is a standard protection feature on certain vehicles from some manufacturers. In other ways, it can be added as an aftermarket alternative or used as an option from the factory.

When the car’s engine is switched off, immobilizers disable three circuits (ignition, starter, and fuel supply) to start and run the vehicle. Only a specially coded microchip in the key you received when you acquired your vehicle will reactivate these circuits. Also, you will get a discount on your car insurance policy in some countries if you use standard immobilizers and vehicle tracking systems.

2. Invest in a High-Tech Dash Cam

While we use the cameras to monitor our homes, why can’t we use the same technique to keep our vehicles safe? Dashcams can capture high-quality videos both day and night. Featuring G-sensors, these specialized cameras can also be used as crime detectors that keep track of all unusual activities around your vehicle. The front camera swivels to give you a 360-degree view.

Vehicle monitoring and warning devices such as a high-tech dash cam capture suspicious movements or glass damage, prevent vandalism and assist in tracking the stolen vehicle.

If you hardwire a dashcam that features a parking mode into your car, it can sense motion or impact and save the video of the incident for you in a separate folder.

3. Remove Your Valuables or Keep Them Out of Sight

The valuables inside the car are the most common reason for break-ins. Since cars are easy to trace, stealing one is more complex than you would expect. But what about those small items you left in the car? Thieves can easily hide them into a small bag or pocket and walk away. That is why it is essential not to have so many things in your car or take what you already have inside with you once you exit the vehicle.

If you can’t hold things out of your vehicle, covering them is the next best option. Before breaking into the car, thieves would want to know what they’re stealing and make sure it’s valuable. Anything from backseat bags to a jewellery item hung on the rearview mirror will draw their attention.

If you cover the things, thieves may still notice that there is something in the vehicle, but they will not know what is inside, and therefore, it’s less likely that they will take a chance in this situation. To hide things out of their reach, you can cover them with a towel or blanket or place them in the trunk.

4. Make Sure Your Car has a Steering Wheel Lock

One of the most efficient and straightforward methods to stop car thieves is to install a mechanical device that can lock the steering wheel. A steering wheel lock does not discourage a committed robber, but most thieves want easy prey. A steering wheel lock can persuade a vehicle thief to move on to a less labour-intensive task.

If you ever decide to purchase a steering wheel lock or other vehicle protection system, make sure to inform the insurance provider. Many insurance companies, as mentioned, provide premiums on these vehicle security systems, meaning you might save a lot of money over time. There are a few other security options for your vehicle to save money on auto insurance as well.

5. Park Your Vehicle in Well-Lit Areas

To escape the attention, breaking into a vehicle and taking things from inside must be achieved fast. Most auto thieves work on a second-by-second basis, getting in, back, and away from the car before you even notice they’re there. Deterring criminals is easy if your car is parked in a well-lit area or on a busy street. On the other hand, It becomes much easier for criminals to break into your vehicle if you have parked it in the shadows.

Park your car in a garage if you can because it’s the safest possible location for your car. Or, you can park it in a monitored parking area where it will also remain safe from break-ins.

6. Lock the Doors of Your Vehicle

While it might seem quite obvious, many drivers won’t lock their vehicles, especially when it’s parked on a quiet street or in a parking area of their workplace. A thief might be scoping out the neighbourhood, regardless of how low the crime rate has been in your area. An unlocked car would provide him with easy access as well as a quick escape down the lane.

Therefore, make it a rule to lock your vehicle when you switch off its engine. While it may take some extra few seconds to push the button on the keychain, it will be a time well spent for the security of your car.