Did you know that car theft is a major and growing issue in the UK? Cars that are stolen can be hard to recover and this could lead to a tricky situation financially as comprehensive insurance providers will only pay the current market value for a car in a payout. On top of this, you have the disruption of having your vehicle stolen, along with the impact that this can have on your mental health. Therefore, it is so important for motorists to know how they can keep their car safe, to protect the vehicle and for peace of mind.
Always Lock the Doors and Close the Windows
First, you should always lock the doors and close the windows when leaving the car. Even if you are just popping inside, and the car will only be out of sight for a minute or so, you should always lock the doors and close the windows to prevent a criminal from gaining access. Otherwise, you are making it much easier for them.
Do Not Leave Valuables in Clear Sight
When leaving your car unattended, you should always remove, or at least hide, any valuable items from sight. Leaving something like a laptop or suitcase on the passenger seat is dangerous and will be an invitation for a criminal to break into the car.
Park in Safe Areas
If you can, you should always try to park your car somewhere safe. Ideally, this will be somewhere off the road and in a private garage. This is not possible for all, so you should at least try to park the car somewhere that is within sight of the house and/or somewhere that is well-lit.
Install an Immobiliser
An immobiliser is a great security device to install that can prevent your car from being stolen. Essentially, this is a device that stops the engine from being started without the right key. This can prevent a criminal from “hot wiring” the car, which is often how cars are stolen these days.
Use an Auto Locksmith
Following this, if you ever have your keys stolen, or lose them, then it is a good idea to speak to an auto locksmith. An auto locksmith can replace lost car keys and replace the locks so that your new set will be the only ones that work. Car criminals will frequently attempt to steal car keys, so you should try to keep these on your person and never near a door or window at home.
Install a Tracking System
A car tracking system is also a useful security device that will help you to track down your car if it is ever stolen. Cars that are stolen are often hard to find as criminals know how to conceal them, but with a tracking system, you will be able to help the police find the car as quickly as possible.
These are the best ways to protect your car and, hopefully, this will allow you to keep your car safe and provide peace of mind.
