8 Ways to Help Prevent Your Vehicle from Being Stolen

Did you know 850,708 vehicles were stolen nationwide in 2024? That’s the latest total provided by the National Insurance Crime Bureau. Their reports also show that the two previous years each had over 1 million cars stolen! It’s clear that vehicle theft happens often, adding up to billions in losses and impacting hundreds of thousands of drivers.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration discovered that almost half of those vehicle thefts were preventable if the driver had taken simple safety precautions. Considering so many thefts are preventable and July is National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month, it’s a good time to assess your safety habits and take any actions to help deter someone from stealing your vehicle.

Common Tactics Thieves Use to Steal Vehicles

The traditional way to steal a car is to break in and hot wire it. However, now with key fobs, smart keys, and keyless entry, car thieves have evolved their methods. Now thieves can use a relay attack.

Criminals work together to pick up a key fob’s signal. One criminal will stand near the key fob with a device to pick up its signal and another criminal will stand near the vehicle with another device to receive the signal. The signal is relayed from the key fob to the vehicle via their relay devices. This technique can unlock and start the car, making it easy to drive off with it.

The devices these criminals use can pick up the signal from a key fob from a distance. So even if your key fob is tucked away in your purse or on your nightstand, a criminal standing on an exterior wall to your key fob’s location may be able to pick up the signal and gain access to your car.

Are you as protected as you think you are? Reviewing your current personal auto insurance coverage and assessing if you have enough is a good idea.

The licensed agents at InsureOnline.com can help you understand what you need legally and help you shop around for coverage that helps meet your needs and budget. Give us a call at (844) 358-5605 today to discuss or complete our online form to get started.

Tips to Help Prevent Your Car from Being Stolen

There are several simple and effective ways to prevent your vehicle from being stolen. Let’s look at some of the basics as well as other less thought of tactics to prevent vehicle theft.

1. Lock up. Always lock your doors, close your windows, and set your vehicle’s alarm, even when parked for a short time. A robber does not need a long time to steal your car. Don’t be an easy target.
2. Never keep valuables in your vehicle. Don’t leave anything valuable in your vehicle and especially not in sight. Seeing an expensive laptop or wallet may tempt someone to break in.
3. Where you park makes a difference. Choose well-lit, high-traffic areas whenever possible. At home, garages, driveways with motion lights, or even security cameras can help reduce your risk.
4. Keep your key with you. If you still have a traditional key, don’t leave it in the ignition or in the car. Always take it with you when you exit the vehicle.
5. Store key fobs wisely. If you use a key fob, avoid leaving it near entry doors or windows where its signal could more easily be picked up by thieves using relay devices. Consider investing in an EMF-blocking storage pouch or metal key box to block the wireless signal to prevent relay attacks from working.
6. Invest in additional security devices. Steering wheel locks, brake pedal locks, tire clamps, and other anti-theft devices may deter a criminal from even trying to take your vehicle. Did you know some insurance companies offer discounts if vehicles have certain security devices installed? The licensed agents at InsureOnline.com can help you shop around for auto insurance policies and make sure you’re getting every discount for which you qualify. Start an auto insurance quote online or call us at (844) 358-5605 to get started.
7. Never give someone the keys without verifying their identity. Even if they claim to be a valet or tow truck operator, make sure they are who they say they are and that you were expecting them.
8. Make it easier to find your car. If your car is stolen, having a GPS tracker on it can make it easier to recover it.

Do what you can to prevent vehicle theft. Small actions like making sure your windows are all completely rolled up can deter a thief. In the unfortunate event that your vehicle is stolen, make sure to contact law enforcement to file a police report and call your insurance company to let them know as well.

Take some time this July, in honor of National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month, to evaluate your vehicle safety and add any protective measures to help keep your vehicle more secure.

About InsureOnline.com

InsureOnline.com is a digital insurance agency that provides affordable insurance to consumers who want to shop and purchase insurance online while still having the option to work with an agent if they wish. The agency offers auto, home, life, health, and commercial as well as other specialty lines of insurance. Our goal is to provide an easy, fast, convenient, and safe online shopping experience for consumers looking for the best price by utilizing all the latest and greatest technology. Based in Bedford Park, Illinois, we are licensed to write business in many states and have a multilingual staff licensed and certified in a variety of insurance lines. We partner with many highly rated insurance companies to help provide the best insurance solutions to meet your individual needs and your budget. Buy insurance online or talk to a licensed insurance agent! It's your choice.

For information and quotes on insurance coverage, please visit InsureOnline.com or call (844) 358-5605.

The general and educational information here supports the sales, marketing, or service of insurance policies. Individuals should seek advice from their own qualified and duly licensed independent tax or legal advisors based upon their own particular circumstances.

Share