5 Car Security Tips to Protect Your Ride
Protect your car from theft and vandalism with these car security tips.
How to ramp up your car security
Imagine opening your front door in the morning, only to find your driveway completely empty. Car theft happens every day (according to police reports, approximately 85,000 vehicles are stolen each year across Canada), and if you fail to properly secure your ride you could be the next victim. Here are five simple car security tips that can help reduce the risk of car theft, damage and vandalism. Â
Park your car in the garage
If your garage has become a spare storage room, you might want to clear it out and actually put your car there instead. Parking in the garage is one of the best ways to keep your car safe from harm. If your car is parked on the street, it’s prone to all sorts of dangers, from falling branches in a storm to potential thieves and vandals.
Make sure you never store this in your garage.
Keep your valuables out of sight
Leaving your iPhone, laptop or Louis Vuitton bag in full view on the passenger seat is asking for trouble. Take a few minutes to bring your valuables indoors and safely out of sight. If you’re not able to bring your valuables in at night, at least lock them in the trunk where they’ll be less of a temptation for would-be thieves.
Find out 15 more things you should never leave in your car.
Invest in a steering wheel lock
Locking the steering wheel is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to deter car thieves. A steering wheel lock may not stop a determined thief, but most criminals are looking for an easy target. Placing a lock on your steering wheel could convince a car thief to move on to a less labour-intensive job.
If you do buy a steering wheel lock or other car security device, be sure to tell your insurance agent about it. Many insurers provide discounts for these security devices, so you could save a lot of money in the long run.
Discover more ways to lower your car insurance premium.
Lock your car
It may seem obvious, but many drivers fail to lock their cars, especially when they are in the parking lot at work or parked on a quiet residential street. No matter how low the crime rate is where you live, a thief could be casing the neighbourhood. Get into the habit of locking your car every time you turn the engine off. It may take an extra second to tap that button on your keychain, but it’s time well spent.
Beefing up your home security as well? Here’s how to outsmart porch pirates.
Consider a car alarm
Car alarms have become ubiquitous, and that has somewhat diminished their effectiveness. Even so, a blaring car alarm can scare off a thief in the middle of the night and keep your car from being the next one stolen. Look for a quality car alarm, with a sensor that isn’t set off by a strong gust of wind or a cat leaping onto the hood.
Next, check out some of the best car anti-theft devices on the market.
