As a driver, it’s important to take the issue of car security seriously. After all, having a vehicle broken into or stolen isn’t a pleasant experience. As well as the inconvenience this can cause, it can leave you out of pocket.
Even if you can claim for the loss or damage through your insurance policy, you’ll have some costs to cover. As it states on the website of specialist brokers Chill.ie, all policies include some level of excess, meaning you won’t be able to recover all of your expenses. The good news is, there are simple steps you can take to increase the security of your vehicle, and here are some of the most important.
Don’t take chances
First and foremost, never take chances when it comes to security. To keep your vehicle safe, you must get into the habit of checking that your door is locked each time you leave your car. If you’re using a remote button to lock the vehicle, watch as you press it to see if the indicators flash. If they don’t, your key fob may not be working.
Also, never step out of your car while the engine’s running. Even if you’re only planning to be out of the vehicle for a matter of a few seconds, this is an open invitation to opportunistic thieves. As well as increasing the likelihood that your car will be targeted, this will invalidate your insurance, meaning you won’t get any pay out.
Park in the right places
Park in safe places too. When you’re looking for a spot to leave your vehicle, try to find an area that’s well lit. Meanwhile, if you’re parking in a driveway or car park, make sure you get as close as possible to occupied buildings and preferably choose a space that can be seen by people. Even if you don’t have a view of your vehicle, other people might notice if something untoward seems to be happening to your car.
Don’t leave valuables on show
It’s also important to take any valuables with you when you get out of your car. Leaving things like wallets, phones and sat navs on display can be a big mistake. Bear in mind that objects that don’t seem valuable can also prove alluring to criminals. For example, they might be tempted to break into your car if they see a jacket or jumper on the off chance that these clothes are concealing a wallet. Don’t leave important paperwork on view either as thieves can target this for the purposes of identity theft.
Invest in extra security features
Modern cars are generally fitted with alarms and immobilisers. However, there are other security features that you can take advantage of to increase security. For example, locks that fit over your car’s steering wheel or gear stick can be an added deterrent. It’s also possible to purchase tracking devices. These sophisticated pieces of kit mean that if your vehicle does go missing, the police will be able to locate it.
It’s impossible to completely eliminate the risk that criminals will target your car, but by being savvy and bearing tips like these in mind, you should stand a better chance of keeping your vehicle safe.
How to make your car more secure
As a driver, it’s important to take the issue of car security seriously. After all, having a vehicle broken into or stolen isn’t a pleasant experience. As well as the inconvenience this can cause, it can leave you out of pocket.
Even if you can claim for the loss or damage through your insurance policy, you’ll have some costs to cover. As it states on the website of specialist brokers Chill.ie, all policies include some level of excess, meaning you won’t be able to recover all of your expenses. The good news is, there are simple steps you can take to increase the security of your vehicle, and here are some of the most important.
Don’t take chances
First and foremost, never take chances when it comes to security. To keep your vehicle safe, you must get into the habit of checking that your door is locked each time you leave your car. If you’re using a remote button to lock the vehicle, watch as you press it to see if the indicators flash. If they don’t, your key fob may not be working.
Also, never step out of your car while the engine’s running. Even if you’re only planning to be out of the vehicle for a matter of a few seconds, this is an open invitation to opportunistic thieves. As well as increasing the likelihood that your car will be targeted, this will invalidate your insurance, meaning you won’t get any pay out.
Park in the right places
Park in safe places too. When you’re looking for a spot to leave your vehicle, try to find an area that’s well lit. Meanwhile, if you’re parking in a driveway or car park, make sure you get as close as possible to occupied buildings and preferably choose a space that can be seen by people. Even if you don’t have a view of your vehicle, other people might notice if something untoward seems to be happening to your car.
Don’t leave valuables on show
It’s also important to take any valuables with you when you get out of your car. Leaving things like wallets, phones and sat navs on display can be a big mistake. Bear in mind that objects that don’t seem valuable can also prove alluring to criminals. For example, they might be tempted to break into your car if they see a jacket or jumper on the off chance that these clothes are concealing a wallet. Don’t leave important paperwork on view either as thieves can target this for the purposes of identity theft.
Invest in extra security features
Modern cars are generally fitted with alarms and immobilisers. However, there are other security features that you can take advantage of to increase security. For example, locks that fit over your car’s steering wheel or gear stick can be an added deterrent. It’s also possible to purchase tracking devices. These sophisticated pieces of kit mean that if your vehicle does go missing, the police will be able to locate it.
It’s impossible to completely eliminate the risk that criminals will target your car, but by being savvy and bearing tips like these in mind, you should stand a better chance of keeping your vehicle safe.