Car Theft : Don't be a victim of car thieves.

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Car Theft

Car theft statistics show a reduction over recent years . . .

. . . and that is very welcome news.

The prime reason for the reduction is that automobiles are now leaving the production line with better locks and anti-theft devices fitted as standard.

Tougher sentencing of auto thieves and more rigorous car crime fighting schemes have also helped to bring the figures down.

But car theft still happens much too frequently.

If you have ever had a vehicle stolen you will know the hassle it causes. As well as the loss of your property, and the emotional upheaval, it throws you into a spin. How are you going to get to work, pick up the kids, get the groceries and perform a dozen other tasks that you depend on your wheels for?

Statistics show that it is the older and more common cars that get stolen most frequently. For one thing these models came out of the factory with hardly any security installed by the manufacturer and, unless the owner has installed their own security devices, these models are relatively easy to steal. Also older popular cars are valuable to car thieves, not for what the complete vehicle is worth, but for the parts.

Not that newer, more expensive models don't get stolen but the older a popular vehicle gets - then the more the demand for parts increases and makes that automobile very attractive to thieves.

Places where large amounts of vehicles are parked for prolonged periods are also places where many car thefts (and thefts from cars) occur.

Stealing a car for the parts, or stealing to resell are not the only reasons for car theft. Criminals steal vehicles to carry out their crimes, including drive-by shootings.

Taking vehicles to use for a jaunt, commonly known as joyriding, is another reason that cars go missing; and then there are the boy-racers who will steal your well cared for and maintained automobile to match their street racing skills against their friends.

No mater for what reason your vehicle gets stolen, car theft is a pain.

Don't be a Victim of Car Theft.

Do not leave your car idling. Leaving a vehicle running even if just for a minute, and let's face it that minute is likely to stretch out to be several, is asking for it to be driven away by a car thief.

If you are in the habit of leaving your car with the engine running while you finish your coffee then break that habit. Sit in your vehicle while it is warming up, you could finish your coffee there if you want.

Same with nipping out of your car to use an ATM. Switch off and lock your door, it only takes seconds and could prevent the theft of your car by an opportunistic thief.

It is in no way surprising that places where large amounts of vehicles are parked for prolonged periods are also places where many car thefts (and thefts from cars) occur. Shopping complexes, entertainment complexes, railroad stations, educational institutions, apartment complexes and so on, all these places present the auto thief with a variety of vehicles and he knows that the owners are likely to be away from them for some time. Parking Lot Security.

Stealing your car while you are in it, or with it, is known as carjacking, a particularly loathsome crime. What Can Be Done to Prevent Carjacking?

What can a thief see if he looks into your car? Can he see something worth stealing?

Make it a habit not to leave things on show in your car. Even stuff that you don't think would interest a crook may seem tempting to him. Damage that could cost you plenty to get repaired, could be done to your car by a thief stealing goods worth a few dollars. More information here - Vehicle Security.

It's a simple thing, every time that you leave your car take the key out of the ignition, shut the windows all the way and ensure that you lock the trunk and all doors.

Having your Vehicle Identification Number etched onto your car windows will make your vehicle less likely to be a target of car theft. The thieves would have to replace all windows with glass etched with a fake VIN before they could sell it and to do so would be more costly than they would like.

Why do so many automobiles get left out on the drive, or in the curb, when the property has a perfectly good garage?

A car parked in a garage is far less at risk of car theft than one left outside. Sometimes the reason folks don't use their garage is because there is no room for the car. Over time the garage has become a storage space for all sorts of junk. If that is your situation, do yourself a favor and clear it out, get rid of what you don't need.

If you are left with items you must keep but have nowhere to store them, invest in a secure shed.

Use your garage to protect your car, not only from the elements but also from thieves. Make sense? Always lock the garage door and lock up your car. Do you think it takes too much time to garage your vehicle each time you arrive home, especially if you are frequently driving off to the store or someplace? It doesn't, once it becomes a habit you will not even notice the minuscule extra time, and you will be far less likely to have your car stolen.

If you don't have a garage but have a drive, use the drive to park rather than leave your vehicle at the curb. Same if your family has more than one vehicle but space in the garage for only one, park the others in the drive.

Consider also installing a gate across your drive and keeping it locked. A small inconvenience but it puts another obstacle between the thief and your car. An electronic gate will give you the security, without the inconvenience.

Your vehicle may have some form of anti-theft deterrent system fitted, this is good. If used, these systems do deter thieves. Although no car security system is unbeatable by a skilled car thief with time to work on it, in most cases, most thieves will pass on a car fitted with good security and find an easier car to steal. Car Security Systems

The Cost of Car Theft.

You do not want your car stolen. Even if it is not broken up for parts, even if it is eventually recovered you will still be deprived of the use of it for some time.

Think about the cost of car theft to you. Your recovered vehicle may be returned to you in a sorry state. It may have been deliberately vandalized or had the guts driven out of it.

Yes you have insurance, but it is highly likely that what you will receive from settlement will fall short of the cost to you. Then there is the cost of a rental car while you are waiting for your car to be returned or repaired.

Yes, you do not want your car stolen. Do all that you can to prevent being a victim of car theft.

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