Automobile Theft

Getting your car stolen sucks.

Like, really sucks. You walk outside, ready to head to work or run some errands, and bam – no car. Just an empty parking spot where your trusty ride used to be. Not cool.

Car theft happens a lot too. Over 800,000 vehicles are stolen each year in the U.S. according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau. And that number has been going up lately. No bueno.

So what can you do to keep your sweet ride from getting snatched? Lots of things actually. I’ll walk ya through some tips and tricks to avoid becoming a victim. Stick with me, this stuff’s important.

Lock It Up

I know, I know. Locking your car seems obvious. But you’d be surprised how many people don’t do it. Listen, it takes like 2 seconds to hit the lock button on your keychain. Don’t give thieves an easy opportunity to drive off in your car. Double check those doors are locked every time you walk away from your car.

And don’t leave spare keys in obvious spots like under the mat or in the glovebox. Sneaky thieves check there. Take the spare key with you or hide it somewhere less obvious (but that you’ll remember!).

Park Smart

When running errands, try to park in busy, well-lit areas versus dark, isolated spots. More people around means more witnesses if a thief tries to nab your ride. And they probably won’t want to draw attention to themselves.

If you have a garage at home, park there! Keeping your car out of sight helps deter thieves scoping for targets. And make sure to lock the garage too. Sounds obvious but people forget.

You can also install motion sensor lights outside your garage or driveway. Lights flipping on will startle anyone trying to mess with your car.

Immobilize It

Steering wheel locks, brake locks, kill switches – there are lots of anti-theft gadgets out there. A steering wheel lock attaches to your wheel and makes it a pain for anyone to try and drive off.

Brake locks do the same thing by locking onto your brake pedal. And kill switches cut power to the engine so it can’t start – like an invisible anti-theft device.

These immobilizers don’t cost much but will deter a thief looking for an easy score. The extra hassle gives them second thoughts.

Get Tracking

Consider a GPS tracking system for your vehicle. You can monitor your car’s movements right from your smartphone and get alerts if your car is moved without you.

If your ride does get stolen, you can track its location and direct police right to it. Sweet justice. And your car gets returned to you in one piece.

Some insurance companies even offer discounts for installing tracking devices. So you save some money too. Win-win.

Etch It

Here’s a free and easy way to protect your car – etching your VIN number on all windows. A VIN etch kit costs like $20 bucks.

It makes it really hard for thieves to sell your stolen parts or car when the VIN is clearly etched in all the glass. Plus it signals your car has anti-theft protection.

You can ask your local police department if they host any free VIN etching events too. Some do it as a community service a few times a year. Take advantage of it!

Get Comprehensive Insurance

Make sure your auto insurance policy includes comprehensive coverage. It protects against theft, vandalism, weather damage – all sorts of non-collision stuff.

Filing a claim will cost you your deductible amount, but comprehensive coverage will take care of the rest of the repairs or even replace your ride if it’s stolen.

So those are some pro tips for avoiding becoming a victim of car theft. Here’s hoping you never have to use ‘em! But seriously, be smart and take a few precautions.

It sucks having your property stolen. My buddy had his car jacked last year and it really shook him up. The feeling of violation is awful. And trying to get to work without a car is a huge pain.

The good news is most stolen cars are eventually recovered. But they’re often stripped for parts or damaged. Such a headache.

So be vigilant friends! Lock up, park smart, immobilize your car, track it, and get the right insurance. Don’t make it easy for jerks to mess with your ride.

Stay safe out there and keep on truckin’! Or keep on Camryin’ or Jeepin’ or whatever you drive. You get the idea. Just watch your car’s back and you should be golden!