How To Prevent Car Theft On A Road Trip
Taking a road trip has always been a favorite pastime of many Americans. However, getting your car broken into or stolen will take the joy out of your road trip even if you are the happiest fellow around. Take these measures to prevent such a killjoy on your road trip:
Don't Leave Valuables in The Car
Try thinking like a thief for a moment and guess which of the following two cars you are likely to break into. One car has a MacBook Pro, Samsung Galaxy S8, and a backpack on the backseat while another car doesn't have any visible valuable. Ten times out of ten, the thieves will target the car with visible valuables. Therefore, don't leave valuables in your car while it's parked; that's just a way of inviting criminals to break into it.
Park in Well-Lit Areas
You will not have access to your secure garage or parking spot while on a road trip. Choose your parking spots carefully to avoid giving thieves an easy time of breaking into it. for example, thieves like working in the dark to avoid detection, so choosing well-lit parking spots will go a long way in deterring some of them.
Etch the VIN All Over the Vehicle
Car thieves love anonymous vehicles that can blend easily with other cars on the road. The more your car is easier to identify, the more it will not be appealing to thieves. An ingenious way of making your car identifiable is to etch the vehicle identification number (VIN) on as many parts of the car as possible. This may include the windows, side doors, and bonnet, among others. Those who steal cars to sell as their spares would also be discouraged by such marked parts.
Install Immobilizers
Believe it or not, thieves like hard work as little as the next guy. You want to make your car as difficult to steal as possible for a potential thief. A good way of doing this is to install immobilizers that make starting the car or driving off with it difficult. Examples include ignition, key, remote, and remote immobilizers.
Hopefully, the above tips will prevent your car from being broken into or getting stolen while you are on your road trip. However, they aren't foolproof and thieves may still target your car. If that happens, contact the police, your vehicle tracking company, and your auto insurance company as soon as possible; remember to provide them with all information relating to your car.