Car Thefts » Brochures

Brochures

To make your vehicle a tough target, the Arizona Automobile Theft Authority and National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) recommend a "Layered Approach" to Protection. The more layers of protection on your vehicle, the tougher it is to steal.

1: Common Sense Tips

Lock your car - half of all vehicles stolen are left unlocked
Take your keys - nearly 20% of all vehicles stolen have the keys in them
Park in well-lighted areas - car thefts occur at night more than half the time
Park in attended lots - car thieves do not like witnesses
Don't leave your car running, even for a minute - convenience stores, gas stations, and ATMs are common hunting grounds for thieves
Completely close your car windows
Do not leave valuables in plain view
Do not hide a spare set of keys in the car -the pros know where to look
Park with your wheels turned toward the curb
Always use your emergency brake when parking
If you have a garage, use it - and when you do, lock both the vehicle and the garage door

2: Visible and Audible Deterrents
Alert thieves that your car is protected:

Audible alarms
Steering wheel locks
Steering column collars
Tire locks
Window etching - etch vehicle identification number (VIN) on vehicle windows

3: Vehicle Immobilizers
Prevent thieves from bypassing your ignition and hot-wiring your vehicle:

Smart keys
Fuse cut-offs
Kill switches
Starter, ignition and fuel disablers
High security locks and keys

4: Tracking Systems

A vehicle tracking system is a high-tech device designed to be hidden in your vehicle in order to emit a signal that the police can monitor if you report a theft.