However, it is possible to help prevent vehicle theft by taking a few simple precautions.
1. Avoid buying a vehicle on the most-stolen list
Before buying or leasing a vehicle, check to make sure it isn’t on the top ten list of most-stolen vehicles. Choosing a vehicle that’s harder to steal is an act of prevention in itself. The Insurance Bureau of Canada has published a list of the Top 10 most-stolen vehicles in Canada. What if the vehicle you’ve been dreaming of is on the list and you still really want to buy it? Keep reading to find out how to protect your vehicle from theft.
2. Hide valuables out of sight
You should always conceal valuables out of sight. Don’t be a target for thieves. Put your valuables such as a cell phone, GPS unit, cash or other valuables in the trunk or glove compartment or take it with you.
3. Be careful where you park your vehicle
Your vehicle can be more attractive to thieves if you park it in the wrong place. Here are some tips to make life difficult for them:
· Leave your car in a well-lit area when parking in public
· If you have a garage, park your vehicle inside it when you get home.
· Park your vehicle in your driveway, not in the street.
· Whenever possible, park in a supervised lot.
4. Install a security system in your vehicle
Some examples:
· Choose a vehicle with a coded key to prevent starting
· Fit a cell phone or GPS tracking system so you can locate your vehicle more easily if it is stolen
· Have the parts of your vehicle marked or etched to make them harder to sell.
6. Lock your doors
Even though this goes without saying, always lock the doors of your vehicle and roll up the windows when you leave it. Many thefts reported to us happen because the drivers forgot to lock their doors.
7. Never leave your vehicle unattended with the engine running
It only takes a few seconds for a hardened thief to make off with your vehicle.
8. Do not keep your keys by the front door
These days many thieves are using a method called "relay theft”. Key fobs are constantly broadcasting a signal that communicates with a specific vehicle and when it comes into a close enough range, the vehicle will open and start. The thieves essentially amplify that low power signal coming off of the push start fob by bringing a device close to the home's door, close to where most keys are sitting, to boost the fob's signal. They leave another device near the vehicle, which receives the signal and opens the car. Therefore, if you do live in a house, try to leave your keys either upstairs or as far away from the vehicle as possible. The other thing that you can do is put your key fob in a box that blocks radio signals like a Faraday cage.
By taking these few measures, you’ll stack all the odds in your favor and reduce the risk of theft of your vehicle.
The content in this article is for information purposes only and is not intended to be relied upon as professional or expert advice.