Cars are incredibly personal items; not only do we rely on them for travelling to essential events we also leave footprints of our lives in them – personal effects documents etc. When one is stolen or broken into it can be an incredibly stressful and terrifying ordeal. While there is no guarantee that your vehicle won’t be broken into or stolen there are steps you can take to prevent that happening.
First of all for the sake of context it is essential to know which are themost commonly broken into vehicles in Canada.
1. 2015 LEXUS GX460 4DR AWD SUV
2. 2007 FORD F350 SD 4WD PU
3. 2006 FORD F350 SD 4WD PU
4. 2005 FORD F350 SD 4WD PU
5. 2001 FORD F350 SD 4WD PU
6. 2003 FORD F350 SD 4WD PU
7. 2004 FORD F350 SD 4WD PU
8. 2016 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 4DR 4WD SUV
9 . 2002 FORD F350 SD 4WD PU
10. 2006 FORD F250 SD 4WD PU
There’s a definite trend with this list. Aside from many of the vehicles being Ford F-350 models they are all either pickup trucks or SUV’s. Often these types of cars are seen as easy targets for thieves or various reasons; they may be easier to break into or because of their size are likely to hold more valuables. Keeping your vehicle from being broken into requires some vigilance on your part. There are a few simple steps that you can take to reduce the likelihood:
#1 – Always Lock Your Doors
Often many car thieves rely on unlocked doors to get in. After all it is silent and it does not look too suspicious to any passers-by. An open car door is an invitation to get your car broken into or stolen. Check outthis articleto find out if your insurance will cover a theft incident involving unlocked doors.
#2 – Never Leave Valuables Inside
Valuables attract thieves like shiny objects attract magpies. Things like your phone sat-nav your laptop or spare change can all attract unwanted people into your vehicle. Car thieves are often looking for an easy target something that they can grab quickly without much hassle. Valuables left on display make a perfect target for a budding car thief.
#3 Put Your Items in the Trunk or Glove Box
If you are not keen on the idea of carrying all your valuables with you at all times another option is to put them in the trunk or glove box. These places hide your items from view when anyone looks into your car and they are often difficult to get into quickly.
#4 Park in Secure Garages When You Can
As it is incredibly difficult to get into a garage without the key in the first place secure garages can lower the risk of theft significantly. Another factor that reduces the likelihood is that it is usually difficult to see into a garage without drawing attention to yourself and so this serves as a deterrent to thieves. There are also often cameras and other security measures which make them a less likely target.
#5 Park in Well-Lit Areas
If you have to park outside park in an area with good lighting. Well-lit areas often make car thieves feel exposed preventing them from attempting to steal your vehicle. If a car does not look inviting it is unlikely that it will be broken into or stolen.
#6 Invest in a Car Alarm
Car alarms may seem pointless to some but they serve a great purpose. Often thieves will pass by an otherwise prime target if they see that it has a car alarm installed. Car alarms are noisy and draw attention to the thief. If you do not have a car alarm we highly recommend that you get one. There are many after-market alarms that are relatively inexpensive.
It is always important to stay vigilant especially in unsafe areas and always take the same precautions regardless of how long you will be away from your vehicle for because thieves can be incredibly fast. If your vehicle has been broken into contact the police and thenyour broker.
