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Car Insurance - Security Advice
With nearly 20% of all crime in England and Wales being car crime. Making sure you have good car insurance has never been so important. There are a lot you of ways to help prevent your car becoming one of these statistics. Follow these guidelines in preventing crimes towards your car and you could be looking at cheaper car insurance!
Whenever you leave your car always make sure all points of entry are secured. This includes windows and sun roofs. Even the smallest opening in a window can give a thief the opportunity to force the window open.
If you use portable satellite navigation equipment it is important to take it with you every time you leave the car. It is a good idea to remove the cradle and suction pads as well as cleaning off any marks left on the windscreen or dashboard as some thieves will look out for these signs and break into cars expecting to find the sat nav in the glove box.
The most common vehicle crime involves the theft of car stereos. If possible invest in a car radio or stereo which can be removed when you leave the car.
Vehicle documents are rapidly becoming a target for thieves as it is much easier for them to sell a stolen car if they have the log book. If the logbook is stolen along with your vehicle, it can be difficult to prove ownership. Keep your vehicle log book in a safe place and never leave it on display.
Nothing makes your car easier to steal than leaving it unattended with the keys in the ignition! It may sound obvious but many people are caught out every day when they pop to the post box or to fill up on fuel. In the winter thieves are also known to target those who leave their cars unattended whilst defrosting. The only way to prevent this kind of opportunist theft is to always lock your car and take the keys with you.
The majority of vehicle related crime is not actually car theft, but thieves stealing valuables from inside cars. Always take all your valuables with you when you leave the car. Even if you are only popping into the shop for two minutes, that’s enough time for a thief to smash your car window and get away with your treasured possessions. Even leaving an empty box or bag of clothes which may be worthless to you could still entice a thief to break in and check if there is anything valuable inside. The best and safest option is to avoid leaving anything on display.
If you have to leave something of value in your car such as a larger item like a laptop, always be sure to lock it in the boot where it can’t be seen – although it is best to do this beforehand before you park as a thief could be watching as you put it it.
The places thieves like the most are dark, quiet areas where they can break in unobserved without being seen. So don’t make it easy for them! If you have to leave your car in a public car park always choose one which is secure and manned. When parking on the road stick to well lit areas and take all your valuables with you. If possible park your car in a garage - many insurers will offer a discount for a garaged vehicle. If you park your car in your driveway then consider putting gates or security posts at the end of it. Park your car in clear view from your home so you can keep an eye on it.
Invest in an immobiliser and steering lock, and be sure to put car alarm stickers on all your windows. These small additions make your car look much more secure and much more of a challenge to steal or break into. Many thieves are opportunistic and if they think your car looks like too much hard work they are much more likely to move on to an easier target.
The opinions expressed are those of the author only. The material is for general information only and does not constitute legal, financial or other form of advice. You should not rely on this information to make (or refrain from making) any decisions. Always obtain independent, professional advice for your own particular situation by an FSA authorised company where the market is FSA regulated.