No matter where you live in the country, auto theft is going to be near you. Sure, some spots are going to be hotter than others but it’s always best to play it safe in order to prevent your car from getting stolen.  Remember, you won’t want to put this off because if you find your car is gone one day, it’s going to be too late.

There are many things you can do when it comes to preventing your car from getting stolen.  Here are some of the top tips you can use –

Watch your parking spot

No matter where you go, you’re going to have to park somewhere.  If you’re going to be there late, make sure that you either park in a well lit area or a spot that many people are walking by.  People won’t want to steal a car when people nearby can easily spot them.  The same goes for well lit areas.  If a light is shining down on a car, the thief won’t like that.  They generally want a spot that is dark where no one can see them.

Get a car alarm

Car alarms are the best investment you can ever make.  For less than $100, you can either get one professionally installed or if you want to install it yourself, you can get it even cheaper.  A car alarm is great because all the thief has to do is try to open the car handle or even touch it and the alarm will sound.  This will draw attention to the vehicle and that’s the last thing they need.  If you don’t want to buy an alarm system, simply get a sticker and place it on your window.  This alone could deter them.

Always lock your door

This one is a no brainer but many people simply forget to lock their doors.  If you make it a habit to lock your doors every time you get out of the car, you will prevent thieves from breaking in.  Most of the times they are looking for an easy in and out where they can simply open the door and take what they like.  No matter where you are, make it a habit to lock your doors every time you get out.

Keep valuables out of sight

Never leave your purse, money or anything else laying out in the car.  Either bring it with you or store in a glove box.  If your glove box locks, this is even better because it’s one more obstacle that the thief has to break into.  As long as there’s nothing worth getting, they may just pass up your car altogether.

Auto Theft is happening as you read this.  As long as you’re smart about your car and you follow a few tips mentioned above, you can greatly increase your chances of preventing auto theft.  In the meantime, park in safe areas, try and use the devices mentioned above and your car should be on the safest on the block.