Car thieves are always at work – stealing on average 1 car every 7 minutes in Canada. Though this crime is inevitable, you can help prevent car theft by taking some simple precautions and being smart about your own car. Keep the following tips in mind to help protect your car from theft.
Don’t Leave Valuables in the Car
This may seem obvious, but don’t leave any valuables in your car — even if you’ll only be gone for a few minutes. Visible shopping bags, purses, and even spare change can trigger car thieves to break in and grab what they can. If you have to leave stuff in the car, make sure it’s locked up in the trunk where no one can see it.
Park in Safe, Well-Lit Areas
Car thieves work better when they’re not easily seen. So, if your car is parked in a dark, isolated area, this makes it a bigger target for car theft. To protect your car from theft – and for your own safety – park in well-lit streets and near other cars in parkades.
Wait for the Garage Door to Close Before You Drive Away
Don’t give car thieves the opportunity to steal more than just your car. Whether you live in a house with a two-door garage or a condo with an underground parkade, always wait for the garage door to close before you drive away. You never know – someone could be lurking around nearby, ready to dash into your garage and break into your home as you speed off.
Don’t Leave Your Car Running and Unattended
Have you ever started your car from inside the house to warm it up? How about left the keys in the ignition as you popped into a restaurant to grab your takeout order? If this sounds like you, then you should change your habits now to avoid getting your car stolen. Leaving a running car unattended is like handing your car over to a thief. You just shouldn’t do it.
Invest in an Anti-Theft Device
Remember those steering wheel locks that used to be popular? Well, they’re still a good idea if you want to prevent your car from being stolen. There are a range of other anti-theft devices you can consider as well, including car alarms and engine immobilizers. If you want to capture footage of what’s going on around your car, consider a discreet dashcam.
What to Do if Your Car is Stolen or Broken Into
If you do fall victim to car theft, file a police report and make sure you’re covered under your auto insurance plan. Consider comprehensive auto insurance to protect you if your car is damaged or stolen by thieves. If something’s stolen from your car, look at your home insurance plan for coverage for those items.
Not sure if your insurance plan covers you from auto theft? Get in touch with a JM Insurance specialist and we’ll be happy to answer your questions.