A car is a
valuable asset to anyone. The threat of theft is compounded due to the fact
that we often keep valuables inside, both loose assets and money invested into
the vehicle such as expensive sound systems. What's more, your car is also of
course very vulnerable to unintentional harm. It may not be your fault, but you
often end up paying for it. The hassle of fixing dents and scratches is so
frustrating and inconvenient, that it would be much better to simply avoid it
in the first place.
Be a cautious
driver and assume other people will do the wrong thing. This is a pessimistic
attitude, but when it comes to your car it could save a lot of money. Cover the
break as you drive through an intersection, for example. When you do have to
park on the street, don't park opposite a driveway. If there are spaces with
plenty of room on either side, then park here instead of in a tight spot where
you are likely to get hit.
Keep your car
off the street. This applies for both home and city parking. On a busy road,
your car is vulnerable to scratches and crashes, while on a quiet street it is
an easy target for burglars. Minimize the opportunity for a disaster wherever
possible. If you have a carport, use it. This physical barrir ensures your car
is protected from falling branches, harsh weather conditions and the odd dent,
as well as burglars. One of the most important things is to be seen, so stick
to well lit areas. Even in an underground carpark, there are dark corners that are
very attractive to thieves. Think about how a thief would need to steal
something from your vehicle. For example, if you are keeping some things of
value in the boot, then drive in so that the boot is facing outwards, in full
view. The worst place to keep registration details is in the glove box, yet
this is exactly where most people tend to store them. An experienced car thief
will find these immediately, and it will encourage them to carry out a theft,
as these documents will make it much easier to sell the car on.