Vehicle Theft Protection

By Connie Hogue, Director of Human Resources and Safety

With summers proving to be the worst season for vehicle thefts, it is crucial to think about vehicle theft prevention. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about three-quarters of a million vehicles were stolen in the United States in 2019. Nearly half of those thefts were due to driver error. To help drivers keep their vehicles more safe and secure, NHTSA is continuing its awareness of National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month throughout July.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau breaks down vehicle theft prevention into four layers – Common Sense, Warning Device, Immobilizing Device and Tracking Device. The more layers of protection on your vehicle, the more difficult it is to steal.

Common Sense

Lock your doors and take your keys. Make it a habit to always take your keys with you and lock the doors – even if in your own garage. Many vehicles come with an alarm where if someone tries to get into your locked vehicle, it will set off the alarm and will deter them from proceeding with a theft.

Hide your valuable items. Valuable items should not be left in vehicles, but if they need to be, hide them under the seats or in the trunk.

Increase your driveway or streetside security. Increasing security and lighting around your home will help scare away anyone who may be wandering your property. A few different ways to increase the security include:

• Install a floodlight camera with a live video feed connected to your smart phone

• Set up a driveway alarm that will alert you when someone pulls up to your home

• Increase the lighting on the outside of your home

• Use contact sensors on your garage door and windows

Warning Device

Install a remote car starter. Installing a remote car starter alleviates the urge to put the key in the ignition and go back inside of your home or business while your car cools down after sitting in the hot sun all day. A remote car starter allows the car to turn on, but does not allow the vehicle to shift gears.

Get a smart car alarm. A smart car alarm connects directly to your smart phone to allow you to see if the alarm has been engaged. You can turn the alarm on or off and connect to security cameras in your vehicle if you have them installed. Some of the smart car alarms can also track your car through GPS which is helpful with the tracking layer of prevention.

Immobilizing Device

Install a kill switch. A kill switch can be wired to the ignition, fuel line or battery to prevent a vehicle from starting. The kill switch should be installed in a hidden location and flipped every time you get out of your vehicle.

Use a steering wheel lock. A steering wheel lock renders your car useless unless it is unlocked with a special key. It hooks onto your steering wheel and locks into place. The sight of a steering wheel lock is enough to deter anyone looking for an easy target.

Tracking Device

Install a GPS tracker. A GPS tracker is a great layer to add to another vehicle prevention method, such as a steering-wheel lock. This strategy can divert the focus of a thief as he will likely not be looking for another protective device after he has overcome the first obstacle.

Hide an old tablet or phone in your car. When you must leave your vehicle in a place where you are unsure about safety, place an old phone or tablet that is synced with your Google or iCloud account where it can’t be seen in your car. This will allow you to track your car using the “Find My Phone” function given that your phone or tablet is connect to network.

While you can only do so much to prevent vehicle theft, these tips when layered together will help deter theft from occurring.