Every year, many people fall victim to vehicle theft. According to the United States Department of Transportation, a car is stolen every 43.8 seconds. About 873,080 vehicles were stolen in 2020 based on a National Insurance Crime Bureau study.
Many people fall victim to this crime. As a result, billions of dollars are lost thanks to these larcenies. Protecting your vehicle from theft is important. This is why GBK Insurance is going to give you some tips to protect your property.
Always Lock Your Car
First of all, you should always lock your car. It is important to use common sense to prevent vehicle theft. If you are going to leave your car unattended for any amount of time, it is important to lock up. This includes rolling up windows and making sure your doors are locked. This is the simplest and easiest way to prevent your car from being stolen. After all, a car is harder to steal when the criminal cannot get inside of it.
Install Anti-Theft Devices
Although people might find a car alarm annoying, it plays a part in preventing vehicle theft. A horn alarm is considered an audible device that deters from people stealing your property. If you think about it, those car alarms startle regular people. For a criminal, these horn alarms can be terrifying. Another type of anti-theft device that can be a deterrent is visible devices like steering wheel locks. While audio and physical devices can be a visual threat to potential thieves, there are other anti-theft methods as well.
Certain anti-theft devices can help prevent criminals from taking your car. Immobilizing type devices, such as fuel cut-off switches, prevent criminals from starting a car through hot-wiring. Most of these devices prevent the flow of electricity or fuel to the engine.
However, if the criminal manages to hot-wire your car, there are ways to track your vehicle as well. Vehicle Recovery Systems are made to help law enforcement track stolen vehicles and can potentially lead to catching a criminal. Any or all of these devices and systems can help protect your property.
Don't Leave Your Car Running and Unattended
Regardless if you are going into the gas station to pay for your tank or just grabbing something inside your house, you should never leave your car running! It only takes a few seconds for someone to run to your unattended car and drive off. Even if it is only for a brief moment, you should always remove your keys and lock your doors if you are going to leave your vehicle unattended.
Never Leave Valuable Items Visible
Considering vehicles are the United State's primary mode of transportation, people are always putting valuables inside. Most people can think about some precious items that they have inside their car. Laptops, cellphones, ect. However, it is important to hide these items if you are keeping them in your car. For thieves, anything that can be sold can be targeted. Outside of car parts like GPS, your personal belongings can be stolen.
What To Do If Your Vehicle Is Stolen?
Even with all these steps, your vehicle can still get stolen. So, what do you do when your vehicle is stolen. The most important thing is to immediately call the police. You will need to report the theft to start the search for your property.
In addition, a copy of a police report is required for your insurance company. After you report the theft, you need to call your insurance company to start the claim process. You should contact your insurance company within 24 hours of theft.
Protecting Your Vehicle With Insurance
Even with all these tips, the best way to protect your vehicle from theft is get insurance. Since 1968, GBK Insurance has been an all lines independent insurance agency that provides high-quality service for our customers.
So protect your property today by getting a quote!