Are you looking for ways to protect your vehicle and deter potential thieves?  Here are 5 things you should be doing.

1. Always Lock Your Car

Locking your car is a simple and easy way to prevent thefts. This will deter people who are trying to steal the actual vehicle or any items inside it. While a locked door won’t stop every thief, it will convince many to move on. Car thieves look for quick easy targets. If your car is locked, they’re more likely to be caught breaking in.

2. Install A Visible Anti-Theft System

There are many anti-theft systems available. Some remotely cut off the ignition, some send a signal that can be tracked, and some manually lock the steering wheel into place.  If a thief is looking for an easy target and sees an alarm sticker or a blinking LED light from the alarm system, they’ll be less likely to steal your vehicle.

3. Choose Your Parking Spot Carefully

Park your car in well-lit, highly visible areas. A car in a brightly lit public parking lot is harder to steal than one alone in a dark alley. Whenever possible, park your vehicle in a garage for increased protection.

4. Keep Valuables Out Of Sight

A thief is much more likely to break into a car with an expensive camera, laptop, iPod, or purse sitting on the seat than a car with an ice scraper. Keep your valuable items out of sight. Whenever possible, take them with you—if you have to leave them in the car lock them in the trunk.

5. Invest In Insurance

While there are many things you can do to make your car less appealing to thieves, there are still risks. Protect yourself and your car by investing in an auto insurance policy that covers vehicle theft. That way, if the worst should happen, you’ll be okay.

Photo by James086 (Own work) [GFDL or CC BY-SA 4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0], via Wikimedia Commons