One of the things that comes with owning or running an organization is also owning a fleet of vehicles to drive around either members, clients, or staff. But one of the things about owning vehicles is the possibility of auto thefts. 2020 saw a dramatic increase in car thefts after a largely downward trend previously, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). 

This NICB report states around 873100 vehicles were stolen last year, probably due to the pandemic, the economic downturn, loss of juvenile outreach programs, and relatively limited budgetary spending on public safety. This is because thieves are opportunity seekers and they may have been taking advantage of the lockdowns to steal vehicles that are constantly parked in the same spot. 

An increase in crime leads to an increase in insurance rates. The NCIB reported that 1/4th of comprehensive auto insurance premiums is used to pay out claims related to auto theft. So the best way to keep those rates down is for everyone to take better care of their vehicles!

Here’s a few anti-theft safeguards you can follow to ensure your vehicles don’t get stolen:

1. Basic protections - Don’t leave the keys in the ignition, even if people keep needing to use the cars. Keep the keys inside a building in a common, secured area if need be. Lock car doors and windows, park in well-lit areas, hide valuables away from plain sight, and don’t store spare keys inside the vehicle. Never leave the vehicle unattended with the engine running and doors unlocked. 

2. Warning devices - Visible audio alarms are available for all makes and models of cars which can be installed by a qualified mechanic. Brake locks, steering wheel locks and column collars can also fortify your vehicle even more.

3. Immobilizing devices - These little gizmos can prevent thieves from hot-wiring your vehicle. They come in the form of smart keys, fuse cut-offs, kill switches, starter and ignition disablers, and wireless ignition authentication. 

4. Tracking devices - Tracking systems installed inside vehicles can emit a signal to the police or a monitoring device when stolen. Some systems combine GPS and wireless technologies to allow remote monitoring of your vehicle. This way, you can track your vehicle on your computer if a thief tries to move it. 

Adding layers of protection to your vehicle minimizes the risk of theft and makes it a much more difficult target for even seasoned criminals. But sometimes, all the protection in the world can’t save your vehicle. That’s where financial protection in the form of auto insurance comes into the picture. Getting the right coverage for your vehicle or fleet is essential to cover the unexpected, unavoidable, and rare but possible occurrence of your vehicle being stolen.