Car theft has been a problem in the United States since cars were invented. A car or other vehicle is stolen in the United States every 28.8 seconds according to 2008 data from the FBI. The chances of your car being stolen in the U.S. are 1 in 210 according to data from federal agencies and the Insurance Information Institute. The odds vary geographically. The Northeast has the lowest incidence of vehicle thefts, about 9.8 percent, and the Midwest 18.2 percent. The South and West have the highest percentage of vehicle thefts, about 36 percent each. Your chances of having your car stolen are highest in urban areas.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reported in 2007 that fewer than 60 percent of car theft victims ever got their vehicles back. Many of those vehicles were returned with body damage and expensive parts stripped off, requiring extensive repairs and body shop work. Law enforcement officials stress the need to call the police immediately if your car is stolen, but the recovery numbers are dismal. The best way to deal with car theft is to take these steps to make sure it doesn’t happen to you.
* Secure your car. The best antitheft device is standard equipment on all vehicles: lock your vehicle every time you leave it, even for a minute. Also be sure to close your car windows and sunroof before you get out and lock. Never leave your car with the motor running, even in your own driveway. Car theft is an opportunistic crime, and the sight of an unattended car sending out exhaust with no one in sight is too tempting for thieves.
* Invest in a garage if you can. If you have a garage, you can increase your car’s security (and your own) by always locking it. If you don’t have a garage, parking in your driveway is safer than a spot at the curb. Away from home, pick your parking spots carefully and avoid poorly lit, low-traffic streets, especially after dark.
* Avoid tempting thieves. Leaving an extra key somewhere in the vehicle or attached to the frame is asking to get your car stolen, because crooks know where to look. Your registration and insurance papers are another factor that can make a thief’s job that much easier–not only can he grab your car, but he can steal your identity. Instead, make copies of the papers and hand out a set to each person in your family that drives. Finally, don’t leave your valuables in your car while it’s parked. Many insurance companies have stopped paying claims for items like cell phones and music players that were stolen from vehicles, and they’re too great a temptation for thieves.
* Invest in anti-theft technology. These items aren’t foolproof, but they can make a car thief pass up your vehicle for an easier target.
Car security comes in many types and price ranges. At the most basic level, a simple steering wheel lock or brake pedal lock is an inexpensive way to secure your vehicle and is visible to thieves who might be sizing your vehicle up.
Car alarm systems have sensors that trigger attention-getting devices like sirens, the cars horn, and flashing the headlights when a thief tries to break into the car. Sensors range from basic switches that trigger when a car door is opened, to glass-breaking detectors for thieves who use the smash-and-grab approach, motion sensors, sensors that detect changes in air pressure, and tilt detectors to deter crooks who bring a tow truck with them when they go out stealing vehicles.
Some vehicle security systems work by locking out the ignition, fuel, or electrical systems until you touch a hidden switch or insert an electronically coded ignition key. Although a car thief may still steal components or tow your vehicle away, these systems deter the most common scenario of breaking in and hotwiring.
New tracking technologies have become standard equipment on high-end vehicles. Global positioning systems (GPS) can help law enforcement find your vehicle after a theft. Police can also track a vehicle using a tracking systems with a hidden transmitter to allow police to track the vehicle. An example of this type of system is the LoJack, which operates over half of the states in the U.S. Law enforcement likes these systems because they frequently lead to chop shops and other illegal theft operations and the arrest of criminals.
Avoiding the car models that are most popular with thieves is another way to keep from becoming a victim. Crooks like late-model luxury SUVs like the Cadillac Escalade and the Hummer H2 because of their high resale price. If a thief has a chance to choose between stealing an SUV and stealing a small car, odds are eight times higher that the SUV owner will be the victim.