Did you know that there were 873,080 vehicle thefts in the U.S. in 2020 alone? This is a 9.2% increase in thefts since 2019. Hence, it’s imperative to theft-proof your car.
Are you wondering how to theft proof your car? Theft-proofing is the process of making your car as unattractive to thieves as possible to prevent it from being stolen. The faster a thief can steal your vehicle, the more attractive it is to them.
When car thieves are looking for target cars, they often look for vehicles that are easy to steal. For example, an unlocked vehicle parked in a basement parking deck of a commercial building without enough security is the perfect target. While buying a car is exciting, it also comes with great responsibilities.
Every day, car thieves find new and unconventional ways to steal cars. Hence, you need to outsmart them and install a sophisticated security system.
There are many other things you can do to theft-proof your car.
Purchase a Vehicle Alarm System
A car alarm is one of the most basic security measures available for car protection today. While it’s also the most effective way to deter thieves, the majority of car owners underestimate the importance of a vehicle alarm. If you have a car, it’s advisable to have an alarm installed.
The alarm will be remotely activated and go off any moment someone tries to break into your car. Whether they break a window or try to open the door, the alarm will go off immediately, alerting you to the presence of a car thief.
A vehicle’s alarm system deters most car thieves, and they move on to the next car. In fact, they could even leave the parking lot and move to the next one to avoid being caught. That’s because the alarm often draws attention to their actions.
Kill Switch
A kill switch is another great invention that prevents car thieves from stealing your car. In most cases, the kill switch comes with an alarm system of its own. This is another excellent way to scare away car thieves.
The kill switch is a device installed in your car and can turn off the engine if someone tries to steal the vehicle. When the switch is installed, you will be given a plastic key to turn it on. Every time you turn on the car, you also turn on the kill switch.
In most cases, the switch is placed at a secret location of your choosing. Therefore, if someone tries to steal your car and doesn’t know the location of the switch, it will automatically shut off the engine, ensuring your vehicle is safe.
Some models of vehicle kill switches require a plastic key and an entry cord for maximum security. Unfortunately, one of the significant drawbacks of a kill switch is that in case of a malfunction, you can’t drive your vehicle either until someone comes to repair it. But this is just a minor inconvenience compared to a car thief getting away with your vehicle.
Steering Wheel Lock Bar
The steering wheel lock bar is one of the best car anti-theft devices on the market today. It’s also an inexpensive way to theft-proof your vehicle. This device is made from rugged metal, making it very difficult to cut.
When you install a steering wheel lock bar, it will be very challenging for any thief to steer your car as the wheels will not turn when driving. The thief will get frustrated and abandon your vehicle without stealing it. And on top of being inexpensive, the steering wheel lock bar is also easy to install.
Car Tracker
A car tracker is one of the well-known anti-theft car devices. Some people have installed car trackers in their cars to know where they are at every point of the day. While this technology was used mainly by companies with a large fleet of vehicles for fleet management, today many car owners have a tracker installed.
You don’t need to worry if you have a car tracker, even if the vehicle thief manages to steal your car. The installed tracking device will show you exactly where the thief is taking your car. These devices use GPS locations to locate the car and help the police officers retrieve your vehicle safely.
Apart from locating stolen vehicles, a car tracker will also come in handy if you’re involved in a vehicle accident in a remote area. Your tracker will help you get the emergency assistance you need after the accident.
Some vehicles come with already-installed GPS trackers. If yours doesn’t, look for a third-party company that can help you with the installation. If you want to find the best GPS trackers, ensure you purchase one from a reputable company.
Fortunately, car trackers are affordable and easy to install. Some vehicle insurance companies also offer car tracking devices for their clients.
Brake Lock
A brake lock is an effective but inexpensive car theft prevention device. It’s installed and placed at the vehicle’s brake pedal. This prevents anyone from using the brake when they start the car.
The brake lock is made from strong and thick metal that’s not easy to cut through. And unless you remove it, you can’t use the car. The most feasible option for the car thief is to leave your vehicle, as it’s not sensible to cut off the brake pedal.
Now You Know How to Theft Proof Your Car
Most car owners don’t care about theft-proofing their car, as they assume the insurance will handle the loss in case of theft. Before assuming this, make sure your coverage also includes vehicle theft. Today, thieves are finding the most unconventional ways to steal vehicles without detection.
Therefore, the only way to stay ahead of them is theft-proofing your vehicle. Read the above tips on how to theft proof your car and stay safe.
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