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Whether you own, lease, or rent while you're on vacation, a car is a pretty big expense in your life. And unfortunately, cars are often targeted by thieves. Some burglars might be seeking to steal any valuables you left inside your car. Others are after valuable parts of your car, or perhaps even the whole car itself! But there are things that you can do to deter potential thieves from targeting your vehicle. We've asked the experts to share the things burglars look for in cars, so you can better protect your property. Here are six things car thief look for—and exploit.
Unlocked doors or open windows
Yes, this is an obvious one, but you'd be surprised at how many people fall victim to car theft due to something as simple as leaving their door unlocked! Many car thefts are crimes of opportunity, and if your doors aren't locked, or your windows are rolled down, your vehicle is an easy target. Even leaving your windows open just a crack could be a problem—thieves can thread tools through the window that can unlock your car door.
Leaving your car running while unattended
Also in the yes-people-actually-do-this category is leaving your car running. Maybe you want to leave the air on for your puppy while you pop into a restaurant to pick up your to-go order, or it just seems easier to leave the engine on while you run to pick up the umbrella you forget, but a humming car motor is an open invitation to thieves. "Never leave your car running unattended," says Andrew Zeglin, national auto product manager at COUNTRY Financial insurance company. And while you might think your driveway is a safe place to leave your car running, it only takes a second for an opportunistic passerby to hop in and drive away. Cars that were running in a driveway have even been stolen with car seats holding an infant or child inside.
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Visible Valuables
Leaving something expensive like a phone, laptop, or camera in your car is a huge no-no—even if you're just running into a store for a few minutes. "Never leave personal items, especially valuable ones, in plain sight inside your car. Thieves look for easy targets, so the best way to protect your items is to hide them or not have them in your car in the first place," says Carol Sheehan, claims director for the insurance company Plymouth Rock Assurance. Even visible change in your cup holder can be a temptation to someone desperate for cash.
Dark, obscured parking spots.
Thieves are more likely to target your car when it's located somewhere without potential witnesses, such as an alley with low foot traffic. Unsurprisingly, they don't want to get caught! "When parking your vehicle, choose well-lit and secure areas such as garages, parking lots with attendants, or areas covered by surveillance cameras. A visible and secure location can act as a deterrent for potential thieves," says Zeglin.
High-end cars
If a thief is after the car itself and not just valuables left inside, expensive cars are at a higher risk of being stolen. "Generally speaking, thieves try to get money from the items they steal. It therefore stands to follow that expensive car models will get more attention from criminals than cheaper models," says David Brewer, founder of UK-based insurance brokerage Protect Line. "SUVs, in particular, are known to have higher theft rates, not only because of their popularity and worth, but also because of their internal components, as these can be sold separately on black markets."
Older models
It's not just fancy cars that seem to be wearing a "rob me" sign. Brewer also notes that older car models are also targeted by thieves. "They have poor security systems in place, which makes it much easier for them to be broken into. They're also discontinued, so there remains a high demand for their internal parts across multiple markets," he says.
How to Stay Safe
Beyond avoiding these situations, you can also improve your car's security by adding certain features. And there's a bonus benefit to doing so. "Adding extra security to your vehicle may also save you money on your car insurance," notes Zeglin. Here are some expert-recommended tips for securing your vehicle.
- Install a tracking device in your car to help police locate it if it's been stolen.
- Etch your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) into your car's windows.
- Use a steering wheel lock.
- Set up a dash cam with parking mode—it'll start recording if the car is disturbed.
At the end of the day, it's all about making your car visibly unappealing to potential thieves. "If the technology itself is hard to make visible, some car owners choose to display security stickers, indicating the presence of an alarm system or tracking device," says Brewer.
Stefanie Waldek is a Brooklyn-based writer covering architecture, design, and travel. She's worked on staff at Architectural Digest, ARTnews, and Oyster.com, a TripAdvisor company, and has contributed to Condé Nast Traveler, The Washington Post, Design Milk, and Hunker, among others. When she's not dreaming about midcentury chairs, you can find her re-watching The X-Files, likely in an airport lounge or on a plane.
