Vehicle theft is more common than you'd think, even in Canada.
Although some models are more prone to vehicle theft than others, any car can get targeted by car thieves. That's why drivers in Canada do everything that they can to protect their vehicles.
There's no one-size-fits-all solution for car thieves; each thief has their own way of accessing and stealing vehicles. That's why drivers need to utilize as many techniques as they can — continue reading to learn more about how to prevent car theft and keep your vehicle (and valuables) safe.
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Three of the best vehicle security tips that can help drivers prevent car theft in Canada
Here's a list of tried-and-true tips and tricks that can decrease the chances of thieves targeting your vehicle:
Tip #1 — Park your car in your garage while at home
Your garage is far more than a place for you to store your yard tools and gardening supplies — it's also the perfect place to park your vehicle.
Parking your vehicle in your garage makes it nearly impossible for car thieves to see your vehicle, let alone break into it. This tip is particularly effective for drivers with lockable or mechanical garage doors (that only open with the use of a key code or a remote fob).
If you use a key code to open your garage doors, we suggest that you cover the keypad with your hand.
Doing this prevents passersby from seeing the combination, which could potentially lead to someone breaking into your garage.
On a similar note, if you use a fob to open your garage doors remotely, we suggest that you keep the device in a jacket pocket, purse, etc.
Keeping the device on your person prevents someone from stealing the fob if you forget to lock the door in a public place, like a grocery store parking lot. The thieves can then use documents commonly left in the vehicle (registration, proof of insurance, etc.) to find your address and use the fob to access your garage without a sign of forced entry.
Tip #2 — Use port blockers to prevent keyless car theft
If you want to learn how to prevent keyless car theft, you should take a moment to research port blockers. Port blockers are innovative tools that prevent car thieves from accessing and stealing keyless vehicles.
Many modern vehicles feature computers that allow drivers to lock, unlock and start their vehicle with a fob.
Keyless vehicles are a bit of a double-edged sword; they make life easier for drivers, but they are also easier for car thieves to steal. Car thieves can, for lack of a better term, "hack" into these computers via the "port". Once the car thief has access to the vehicle's computer, they can reprogram the device to a new fob. Once this is done, the thief is able to steal the vehicle.
However, if you have a port blocker, the car thief is unable to access the car's computer. A port blocker uses a combination to protect the vehicle's computer. Port blockers are highly beneficial for drivers who own a high-end model and/or live in an area with an above-average vehicle theft rate.
Tip #3 — Keep your valuable belongings out of plain sight
It's not uncommon for drivers to leave valuables in parked vehicles. Keeping valuables in their vehicles makes it easier for drivers to access them when they're on the go.
Some common examples include the following items:
- Electronics (smartphones, tablets, laptops, GPS units, etc.)
- Clothing and footwear
- Accessories (sunglasses, cologne, etc.)
Many drivers also leave items like backpacks, purses and gym bags in their vehicles. Bags are, by themselves, generally inexpensive, but most thieves are more interested in what's inside of the bag. Bags can have all of the items listed above, along with other expensive items like post-secondary school textbooks.
Because of this, car thieves generally target vehicles that have valuables in plain sight (from one or more of the windows).
If you're parking your car in your driveway or in a public place, you can keep your valuables safe by taking a moment to hide the items that you don't need to take with you. Some effective spots to stash your belongings are:
- Centre storage consoles
- Glove compartments
- Under the seat/s
- Hidden trunk compartments (if featured in your vehicle)
Taking the time to hide your belongings will drastically decrease the chances of a car thief targeting your vehicle.
We highly recommend taking the time to do this if you are parking in your driveway overnight or leaving your car in a public space (roadside parking spot, parking lot, etc.) for an extended period of time.
Want to learn more about how to prevent car theft at home and on the road?
Do you have unanswered questions? Would you like to learn more about how you can protect your vehicle from thieves? Be sure to scroll through our blog! We have several in-depth articles that are chock-full of useful information about protecting, storing, buying, and, of course, insuring cars in Canada.
If you have specific questions about your car insurance policy and if you're financially covered in the event of car theft, feel free to reach out to your Surex insurance advisor.
