There is nothing quite like the feeling of buying that first car with your own money. Buying a car is a milestone in one’s life, and having a car is not just a matter of convenience but also about status. So, it is natural to want to prevent any kind of danger to your car. One such danger is car theft – which is not only a problem in India but also in many other countries in the world. Worse thing is, even when you are lucky and get your stolen car back, it is rarely in the same condition and may have important missing parts, which take a lot of money to repair or replace.
In India, most of us either park our cars outside our houses or buildings on the street, which puts our precious vehicles at an added risk to theft. Here are a few tips to prevent your car from being stolen:
Always check the locks:
As soon as you step out of your car, make sure you lock the car. Make it a habit to check and recheck the locks when you are leaving the vehicle unattended and going somewhere, even if it is getting down from the car to pick up some groceries. Don’t assume that it is safe to leave the car unlocked even if you are nearby. Also, if possible, make sure you park your car in a well-lit area and not a secluded one, and then lock it.
Do not keep valuables inside:
One of the surest ways to attract robbers is to keep valuable items inside the car and then leaving it unattended. Do not leave items such as laptops, jewellery, cash, smartphones, or wallets in the car even if you just want to go and grab something along the way. And if it is necessary to keep these things inside the car, then make sure they are hidden from view and properly covered.
Carry original documents with you:
Original copies of your documents such as RC (registration of your car), driving license, car insurance policy documents, and so on need to always be with you. If your car gets stolen along with these documents, then it becomes very difficult for the police to help you out.
Install anti-theft devices:
One way to prevent car theft or at least decrease the chances of it is to install an anti-theft system in your car. You can use dash-cams, anti-theft alarms, telematics devices, steering wheel locks, electronic immobilizers, etc. to keep your car safe and prevent the risk of having your car stolen.
While you are keeping your car safe, it is also crucial to have a vehicle insurance. Third-party vehicle insurance has been made mandatory by the Indian government; however, you can also go for comprehensive insurance to make sure your car has 360-degree protection. Make sure you compare the car insurance prices in the market along with the various benefits being offered by different car insurance companies and choose the one which suits you best. Lastly note that insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms and conditions, please read sales brochure/policy wording carefully before concluding a sale.
