It is fair to say that we’ve all been either a victim, or know a victim of vehicular break-ins, and it’s extremely inconvenient if it’s your family vehicle. It can happen at any time and anywhere, even in your own garage. These immoral crooks will either smash their way into the vehicle to make a grab for the goodies they can spot through the windows, or take off with the car in attempt to sell it as a whole or in pieces. The car doesn’t even have to be an expensive new model like you’d find in a car magazine – in fact, it’s more likely to be a less-well-protected older car! Pay attention to the following tricks and advice, and adding yourself to the climbing car crime statistics.
Before you go off to purchase the most advertised car alarm on the market, know that even the most pricey car alarm will have virtually no effect on a seasoned thief who is already in the process of hot wiring the engine. The psychological deterrence still stands among the more fledgling car thieves however, and you can try using it to your advantage. Instead of getting an alarm, just get the advertising sticker of the alarm company and paste it over your vehicle.
The time a victim takes to get inside a vehicle is a golden opportunity among muggers and carjackers. Pay attention to your surroundings as you approach your car, and make sure to have your key ready so you may enter the vehicle in the shortest span of time. Lock the doors the moment you get into the seat, since a seated driver is extremely vulnerable to a hijack attempt.
After you park your vehicle, take some time to ensure that you and your passengers’ belongings are not left inside the car within a clear view from outside. Either move them into the trunk instead, or tuck them under the seats or mats if necessary. Do not give the thieves any ideas. An mundane bag can potentially arouse their interest, which from their perspective may contain promising goods inside.
The presence of a steering wheel lock can give headaches for a car thief. Many of these criminals have revealed that when it comes to comparing the difficulties they face on their “job”, disarming one of these bar clamps surpasses the processes of breaking in or hot-wiring your car. Make sure to purchase one with high quality and install it whenever you have to leave your car unattended for a long period.
It is unfortunately more and more vehicular criminals have started using tow trucks, as it is highly unlikely that passerby will find them suspicious as they forcibly remove your vehicle in plain sight. To make their job difficult, turn your front wheels sideways as you finish parking your car.
Finally, it is imperative that no matter how little time you think you will take, never ever leave your car with the key still in the ignition. A few seconds is all they need for car thieves to emerge out of hiding, make a run for your car, then take off whilst laughing at your carelessness. There is no need to commit this easily avoidable mistake, and then lamenting at the fact you never got car insurance. Whether you have a family Toyota or something more expensive and exclusive, take every precaution you can to safeguard your family car.
We definitely do not want to reward criminals’ efforts. When you have your mind set on a used vehicle, check the web for the vehicle information to ensure that it is not a stolen car.