Crime prevention tips
Keep your car safe
Did you know that vehicle crime makes up one fifth of all recorded crime?* Fortunately, there are a few little things you can do to prevent you being part of this statistic. Vehicle crime is mostly opportunistic. If you give a car thief a chance, they’ll take it. These helpful tips will reduce the number of opportunities you give them.
Keep your belongings safe
- More than half of thefts happen when the car is parked outside the home*. So don’t leave anything in your car, even when it’s on your own drive.
- If you have to leave things in your car, make sure they’re out of sight and/or locked in your boot. Do this before you leave home so no-one sees you doing it.
- Never leave car documents or spare keys in your car.
- Be careful about where you park. Look for busy places and car parks with CCTV cameras. www.saferparking.com has a list of approved car parks.
- Always take removable stereo and Sat Nav equipment with you. The first place a thief will look for these is your glove compartment. You can also mark these with your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
Protect your car
- Don’t keep your car keys by your front door. They can be easily stolen by putting a hooked rod or pole through your letterbox.
- A car alarm or immobiliser could prevent a thief stealing from your vehicle or stealing your vehicle. A list of approved installers can be found at www.visb.co.uk
- Never leave car documents or spare keys in your car.
- You can keep your wheels safe by fitting cheap, easy to use, locking wheel nuts.
- The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) can be etched onto the windscreen, back and side windows.
Buying a new car
- Always check that a used vehicle isn’t stolen, subject to finance or should be off the road. If you don’t do this, you could end up losing the car, all your money or inherit unpaid tickets and penalties. Not to mention attracting the attention of the Police. Go to www.direct.gov.uk to find out more.
- There’s a list of the new cars that are safest from theft at www.thatcham.org.
With ASDA Car Insurance, you know that if you need to make a claim, you're in safe hands. Hopefully these crime prevention tips will give you extra peace of mind.
- Get a car insurance quote now
- Retrieve a saved quote
- For questions or quotes from mainland UK please call 0845 602 0198†
- For questions or quotes from Northern Ireland please call 0845 600 4824†
