Knowing how to protect yourself from car theft is a critical skill to have. Once you learn how to drive and have the responsibility of operating an automobile, it is critical to take steps to keep the car safe.
While it might seem blatantly obvious that you should protect yourself from car theft, there are multiple risks and disadvantages of potentially having your vehicle stolen. A car is a major financial investment, often second only to homes in terms of size of your budget. If you didn’t fully insure your car, then losing a car to crime can mean losing money overall.
Being without a car is inconvenient, but can also mean loss of income or inability to get to work. Depending on when and how a car is stolen, it can also put you in physical jeopardy.
Fortunately, there are easy things you can do to protect yourself from car theft. Locking your car doors at all times is a great first step. This should happen both whenever you leave a car, but also while you are in it. Locked doors make carjacking a lot harder, and also increase your chances of surviving an accident too!
When you park your car, do so as close as possible to the entrance to the building. Also do so underneath a light if it is dark outside. Car thieves are far less likely to strike if you are entering and exiting your vehicle in a well-lit spot.
If you carry a purse or handbag, have some kind of protective device on your person. As a matter of fact, all individuals can carry miniature pepper spray devices on their key chains (where legal). You only need a second to get in your car and get away. Most carjackers are just looking for a car, not a fight.
Car alarms, electronic keys, and remote ignitions are all modern technology options that help you keep a car safer, so take advantage of them when you can. Also familiarize yourself with the most commonly stolen makes and models of cars, and do what you can to avoid driving them.
