Car Protection Checklist

Before you shell out any money on vehicle alarms or steering wheel anti-theft locks, go over the following checklist to see if you observe these common sense car protection rules.

• Do you always lock and remove your keys even when it is cold outside and you are positive you will be inside the grocery store for a few minutes?
• Do you make a conscious effort to lock your valuables in the trunk?
• Do you park in a garage or in a well-lit, highly trafficked area?
• Did you make a copy of your title and vehicle registration? Did you write down somewhere your license plate number at home? You will need all of this information in the event your car is stolen.
• When parking at the curb, do you turn your tires completely toward the curb and engage the parking brake? By doing this, you make it difficult for a car thief to steal your car.
• Do you keep a copy of your door key in your wallet or purse in the event you lock your keys in your car?
• Did you put one of your business cards somewhere inside the door of your car? By doing so, this helps authorities determine that your car is your car even if the thief changed the VIN.
• Do you remove all electronic devices (such as radar detectors) that use the cigarette lighter hole when you park the car?
• Do you remove the faceplate to your expensive car stereo when you park the car?

If you have answered yes to all of these questions on this checklist, then you have observed all car-protection procedures in safe guarding your vehicle from vandalism, car theft, or burglary.

Help take a bite out of crime by safeguarding your valuables as well as your self.  An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.