More than 770,750 vehicles in the United States were reported stolen in 2015, per the Insurance Information Institute (III). Based on these figures, an average of 4 vehicles were stolen every 3 minutes. Here are 3 top tips for keeping your beloved automobile from ending up on that list – including the benefit of buying GPS tracking devices for vehicles.
Keep Your Valuables Out of Sight
A locked door means absolutely nothing to a determined criminal. It is important to keep your doors locked when your vehicle is unattended, especially if you have precious cargo within it. However, you should take it a step farther by removing those valuables from plain view. High-priced valuables – especially popular smartphones and jewelry – can quickly attract the wrong kind of attention.
Avoid Parking in Poorly Lit Areas
When searching for targets, most car thieves look for vehicles that are in concealed places away from the public eye. Even if it adds a little inconvenience to your trip, make sure that you park as close to well-lit areas as possible. The best sources of lighting to use are streetlights and the lights posted throughout most shopping center parking lots. You may need to walk a little farther than you might like, but at least you will likely still have a car waiting when you are done.
Invest in Tracking Technology
Even the most cautious consumer can still become a victim of grand auto theft. Therefore, it is important for you to prepare and protect your vehicle just in case it does become a statistic. Researching high-quality GPS tracking devices for vehicles can save you a lot of stress and time if your vehicle is ever stolen. Knowing that your vehicle is equipped with a GPS tracker is an effective deterrent for cautious criminals, especially those who scan the vehicle first to check for this type of equipment. You may spend a little more than you would like for a first-class tracker, but it will still cost a lot less than replacing your stolen vehicle.
