Having your vehicle stolen is one of the most frustrating and distressing experiences you can go through as a car owner. Even in the event your car is recovered, it will most likely require extensive repairs in addition to your having to fill out forms and paperwork galore and quite possibly engage in turbulent talks with unsympathetic insurance companies.
If you’re looking to avoid having to deal with all the headaches and heartaches that tend to come with having your car, or its contents, stolen, here are a few steps you can take to help reduce the odds of your vehicle being taken:
Have a thievery deterrent installed. Devices like “The Club” and “Lo-Jacks” are relatively inexpensive and serve as a good visual deterrent to potential thieves. If your car didn’t come with an alarm system installed, it’s not a bad idea to buy one and make sure its presence is well-advertised by stickers and such.
Park in well-lit areas. Car thieves tend to avoid high-traffic areas and instead target parts of town that they won’t be seen – alleys, dark garages, etc. Parking near the entrance of your destination or close to a lot security booth is also smart.
Keep your keys with you at all times. Leaving your car running on its own is never a good idea, even if you’re just letting it warm up on a cold morning or heading into a convenience store to quickly grab a soft drink. You never know who may or may not be monitoring your actions, waiting for the perfect opportunity to steal your vehicle.
Don’t leave valuables alone in your car. This includes removable stereos, which you should take with you every time you leave your car. It’s also a bad idea to have stickers advertising your high-end audio equipment being on board – those can act as magnets for burglars. If you do need to leave anything of value in your unattended car, make sure that they are well-hidden or inside your glove compartment.
While you can never be completely safe from the threat of car theft, follow these simple steps and your odds will improve greatly. If your car has been stolen and needs repairs, call us at 361.444.1355 and we can set up an appointment to help you get it back to its pre-theft condition!