How to Keep Your Car From Being Stolen

While another car is stolen every 27 seconds in America, this doesn't mean that -sooner or later-your car has to be one of them. Professional thieves like the theft to be "quick and easy," and if you take some precautions, you will be well ahead of people who think the situation is hopeless and don't even try to protect themselves. Also, because your insurance company bases its premiums (in part) on the likelihood of your car being stolen, vehicles with a high theft rate are generally more expensive to insure.

Here are some things you can do to protect your car:

- Keep your car doors locked at all times and install an anti-theft device if you don't already have one.

- Always park your car inside your garage (if you have one) and remember to lock the garage door.

- After dark, park your car in a safe, well-lit or well-traveled location.

- Don't store anything of obvious value in plain sight.

- Have the vehicle identification number (VIN) etched into the windows and major parts of your car. This will make it harder for thieves to resell it on the black market.

- If you park on the street, use the emergency brake, turn you wheels toward the curb, and try to park between other cars. Doing that will make it more difficult for a thief to tow your car away.

- Avoid parking your vehicle in a long-term parking lot and remove all portable electronic devices when you leave your car.

Anti-theft devices. Some states require insurance companies to give discounts to car owners who install ant-itheft devices, but if you live in a state where such a discount isn't required, your insurance carrier will probably offer one to you anyway. As a rule, these discounts are higher for automatic anti-theft devices.

There are many types of anti-theft devices on the market, and it won't be hard to find one that fits your budget and suits your needs. They include:

- Car alarms

- Steering wheel locks

- Immobilizers

- Glass sensors

- Ignition-kill switches

- Fuel-kill switches

- Radio receivers/transmitters.

Make sure that the anti-theft device you choose is installed properly, or you may risk damaging the device and your car's electrical system as well. To avoid any problems, you can always enlist the services of an alarm-installation professional to do the job for you.

Remember to take the following precautions in order to protect your care at home:

- If you warm your car up in the winter, let it run while it is locked and use a second set of keys to open the door.

- If you park a rear-wheel-drive car in your driveway, you can back it in and do just the opposite if you have a front-wheel-drive car. This will make it more difficult for a thief to tow your car away.

- Install a motion-activated floodlight to illuminate the area where you park your car.

Remember to do this when you are away from home to protect your vehicle:

- Close up your car completely, lock it and take your keys with you.

- Never leave an unlocked car with the engine running, especially if there is a child or pet inside. (Bring someone responsible with when you go on those errands that "will only take a minute while I run inside," or use drive-through windows when you are pressed for time.)

- Lock everything in the trunk when you are packing your car, and remember that "interested parties" may be watching.

- If your car is full of luggage or other items, cover them with a "disappearing cloth" (a throw of matte black material, such as felt, spread smoothly over your car's contents). Authorities tell us that his is a great preventive measure.

- If your vehicle is often loaded for one reason or another, install some dark film on your car windows. (You will need to check your state's laws for allowable density and other restrictions that may apply.)

- Avoid having a set of spare keys "hidden" in your car (above the visor, under the mat or in the ash tray), and don't "hide" them outside or under your car in Velcro or magnetic holders.

Finally, the best choice for a parking space is a well-attended parking lot. After dark, try to park near the lighted entrance of a restaurant, rather than in back. When you are traveling, find restaurants with window tables overlooking your parking spot so that you can keep an eye on things while you eat.