Prevent Vehicle Theft

Vehicle theft can happen to anyone—not just people with new cars or who park in dark alleys. In fact, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), the most commonly stolen car is the 1994 Honda Accord.  Because of older vehicles’ appeal on the black market, they are most often taken for parts that are no longer manufactured or expensive to buy.

And, just because you’re at home and your car is in the driveway doesn’t necessarily mean you’re free from risk. It's not uncommon for vehicle thefts to occur at a home or residence.

Use a Layered Safety Approach

According to the FBI, more than 700,000 vehicles were stolen in the United States in 2010. With that kind of vehicle theft rate, it is important auto owners have the right insurance coverage.  But, having the proper insurance coverage is only one precaution and having multiples devices to protect your vehicle from auto theft is key.  The NICB recommends a prevention tactic involving four layers of protection. 

1. Common Sense – People who leave keys in the ignition invite thieves.  After parking the car, roll up the windows, take the keys, and lock the doors. 
2. Warning Devices – Visible or audible devices tell thieves that a vehicle is protected.  Popular warning devices are audible alarms, steering column collars and brake locks.
3. Immobilizing Devices – Immobilizing devices prevent thieves from hot-wiring a vehicle.  These devices include smart keys, fuse cut-offs and kill switches.
4. Tracking Devices – The most extensive layer of protection is a tracking device, which sends a signal to police when a vehicle is reported stolen.  Tracking devices have been very effective in helping to recover stolen vehicles.   

Using a layered safety approach and taking other precautionary measures may prevent your car from turning into a statistic and can help you avoid a stressful situation.  

Learn more

• Auto FAQs
• COUNTRY Financial auto insurance solutions
• Safety in your vehicle