Marco SRS Air Bag Suspension

Theft Wheel

Prevent Auto Theft

Just when you have finally been able to buy that long awaited car it gets stolen, leaving you not only with a huge property loss, but also with the balance payments to be settled. Far-fetched as this may sound, the fact remains that there is an incident of auto theft almost every 40 seconds in the US! As per the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), 794,616 vehicles were stolen in 2009 causing losses of almost $5.2 billion. Of these, only 12.4 percent could be cleared. Not surprisingly, TX and CA reported the largest number of cases of auto theft.

The biggest misconception about auto theft is that thieves steal only new cars, so if you have an old one, you are safe. Thieves look for practicality and not necessarily luxury. Used cars, so many of them more than 10 years old, are mostly stolen for their parts, and can help make money faster, with lesser chances of being traced.

While auto theft is not completely preventable, there are simple common sense measures you can take to prevent auto theft:

Find a well lit area, which isn't too lonely, to park your car. The more easily visible it is, lesser are the chances of someone tampering it.

Lock your car and keep your keys with you when you step out of it to do some work. Though this sounds obvious, many people not only leave their keys in the car, but also keep the car running, while they step out for a few moments to do some work. Enough time for a lurker to slip in and drive away.

Do not keep valuables in your car in open view. Laptops, cameras, GPS systems, handbags, all make you a more lucrative target for those looking to make a quick buck. A simple way to prevent auto theft is to keep valuables, in an inconspicuous place in your vehicle.

Position your car so that it's difficult to tow away. Since many cars are stolen by using heavy duty towing equipment, parking your car in such a way that it's difficult to tow away is another simple way to prevent auto theft. If you are parked at a curb, turn your wheels towards the curb so that it takes time to maneuver the car out from there. When parking in a driveway, a front wheel car should be parked front first while a rear-wheeled drive should be backed into the parking lot.

Be prepared just in case:

Keep all records of your car at a secure place. Your VIN number, details of your car like make, model, color, detailed photographs of its interiors and exteriors, all should be kept for record purposes in your auto insurance file at home. These will come in very useful in case you become a victim of auto theft and need to make a claim. Always keep handy with you, a photocopy of your license, car registration and auto insurance card so you can provide relevant information quickly to authorities in case of a theft.

Remove everything that contains any personal information about you. Bank statements, check books, debit/credit cards, and other crucial papers that can make you susceptible to identity theft should never be left in the car in your absence, even if the car is parked in your driveway.

Buy the correct auto insurance coverage. Auto theft is covered by comprehensive coverage on your auto insurance policy. It's a good idea to buy one. However keep in mind that your auto insurance company will settle your claim only according to the blue book value of your car, so you need to work out whether your car is worth paying insurance premiums for, or it would be cheaper for you to replace it out of your own pocket. If there are payments still pending on your car, buying gap insurance is a good idea, as it pays for the difference between your claim amount and what you owe to your loan institution in case of an auto theft.

Your stolen car costs you much more than just a missing vehicle. You not only end up with a missing vehicle, but also need to pay the deductible if you are claiming from your insurance company; in most cases this gives rise to your auto insurance rates sooner or later. Other associated costs include, the cost of a rental vehicle, cost of time off from work, time dealt dealing with authorities like the police, your auto insurance company, State DMV etc. Taking some simple practical steps now can go a long way to prevent auto theft. Happy Driving!

About the Author

The biggest misconception about auto theft is that thieves steal only new cars!Thieves look for practicality & not necessarily luxury- used cars are stolen for their parts, & can make money faster, with lesser chances of being traced. But some simple practical steps can go a long way to prevent auto theft.

Anti-theft Lock Nuts by Lightforce for Jeep $29.99 Made for Light Force lights;Half Dome keyed nut;Spanner wrench;M10x1.5;Sold as a pair Anti-theft Lock Nuts by Lightforce for Jeep

Lawman 2-Hooks Anti-Theft Steering Wheel Lock $24.97 2-Hooks patented design will NOT be defeated by multiple cuts! Hardened steel construction. Auto-theft is the number one property crime in the United Stated, protect your investment with high quality anti-theft devices.

SuperHooks Anti-Theft Steering Wheel Lock $34.97 SuperHooks is made of hardened steel and has two armor plates that make it tough to defeat! Plus, its longer length makes your vehicle more secure! Auto theft is the number one property crime in the United States, protect your investment with high quality anti-theft devices.

Anti-theft Lock Nuts by Lightforce $29.99 Made for Light Force lights.Half Dome keyed nut.Spanner wrench.M10x1.5.Sold as a pair

Jeep Spare Tire Covers: 29 Inch Deluxe Anti-Theft Spare Tire Cover $104.99 29 in. spare tire cover;Black denim;Anti-theft;Black Jeep logo Jeep Spare Tire Covers: 29 Inch Deluxe Anti-Theft Spare Tire Cover

Jeep Spare Tire Covers: 32 Inch Deluxe Anti-Theft Spare Tire Cover $107.99 32 in. spare tire cover;Black denim;Anti-theft;Black Jeep logo Jeep Spare Tire Covers: 32 Inch Deluxe Anti-Theft Spare Tire Cover

Jeep Spare Tire Covers: 30 Inch Deluxe Anti-Theft Spare Tire Cover $96.99 30 in. spare tire cover;Black denim;Anti-theft;Black Jeep logo Jeep Spare Tire Covers: 30 Inch Deluxe Anti-Theft Spare Tire Cover

The Club Pedal-to-Wheel Vehicle Anti-Theft Lock $44.66 Stop professional thieves and joy riders from taking your vehicle with The Club Pedal-to-Wheel Lock. The Club Pedal-to-Wheel Lock attaches the brake or clutch pedal to the steering wheel, making the vehicle impossible to steer, while preventing the brake or clutch pedal from being depressed.Attaches the steering wheel to the brake or clutch pedal, making the vehicle impossible to steer and/or stop the vehicleRed finish for high visibility Easy to install Fits most cars, vans, and small trucks/SUVsFrom the makers of the Original Club steering wheel lock -- accept no imitations

Car Security Anti-Theft Steering Wheel Lock Safty Guard $42.49 Description:Universal Car Steering Wheel Lock prevents theft when fitted to steering wheel by making driving virtually impossible. It is made of extremely sturdy and durable steel material with faux leather coated hand grip.The Security Steering Wheel Lock comes with two special tubular keys.Easy to install, it can be locked and unlocked in seconds.You put it on your steering wheel, lock it and you keep the keys. No one can steal your car because they can't steer it!This Safty Steering Wheel Lock can be used for cars, trucks, etc.It aslo can be used as a safety guard for yourself.The opening measures approx. 23cm long, 4.6cm wide.Dimension (Contracted): ~38.5(L) x 5.6(W)cmWeight: 1162gPackage Included:1 x Anti-Theft Steering Wheel Lock2 x KeysOperation Instruction:To Lock: Place the opening section to lock until around steering wheel, and turn the lock handle towords to the front, and it will automatically lock itself.To Unlock: Insert the key and turn it to release the locking mechanism and take the lock away!

Theft - $14.99 When a na?ve small-town boy falls hopelessly in love with an unrepentant criminal, the shockwave created by their forbidden union threatens to rock a conservative American town to its very core. Guy (Matthew Burnett) was always such a polite and reserved young man, who could ever suspect that he would fall for the shadiest character in town? When the flames of their passion burn out of control that they scorch the local evangelical church, these two disparate lovers quickly discover just how closed-minded small-town America can truly be. With a soundtrack by disco star Hedda Layne, an endless parade of Leathermen, and one truly over-the-top preacher, Theft is a feel-good gay film that aims to keep audiences laughing until the closing credits. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Steering Wheel Security Lock Anti-Theft Device Cars Pickup Trucks Minivans SUVs $14.99 Highly visible, this strong visual deterrent alerts a potential thief that your car is protected and inoperable. The AUTOLOCK200 is a steering wheel lock that police recommend to be the best way to deter auto theft. With auto theft on the rise it is estimated that every 40 seconds a vehicle is stolen. The AUTOLOCK200 is easily seen from outside the vehicle day or night due to the bright red coating and reflective logo.

Love And Theft $6.49 Love And Theft

Fire Theft $11.99 Fire Theft

Identity Theft $39.95 Identity Theft

Theft $9.99 The path from Europe to Africa has been much traveled in literature but rarely in such an evocative, nuanced, and even playful way as in N.S. Kenings's THEFT. Here are five seductive tales that move with grace and subtlety between the two continents and reveal with insight and wit that what seem to be very separate worlds are not so far apart after all. In Pearls to Swine, a lonely childless socialite invites her American goddaughter to spend the summer in her mansion. In Wondrous Strange, a spirit medium is haunted by the ghost of an ancient African djinn. In Setting Up Shop, a young Zanzibari woman dreams of traveling to the U.S., even as a local entrepeneur courts her relentlessly, even promising to leave his other wives for her. More praise for The Blue Taxi: The world Kenings has created in her accomplished debut is tragic and exhilarating, as is her portrayal of weary, left-behind colonialists, poverty-stricken natives and the uneasy manner in which each regards the other.--Publishers Weekly Kenings skillfully weaves together the stories of individuals from disparate cultures converging in a city that is entering a new era of political independence.--The New Yorker

The Club Golf Cart Security Anti-theft Lock $46.73 Stop professional thieves and joy riders from taking your golf cart with the Club Golf Cart Pedal-to-Wheel Lock. From the makers of the original Club steering wheel lock, the Golf Cart Pedal-to-wheel lock attaches the brake pedal to the steering wheel, preventing thieves from both steering the cart and using the brake, which deters theft.Easy to install ? hooks fit easily around steering wheel and brake pedalBright red, for high visibility deterrencePrevents the vehicle from being steeredExtends to 31.5?, fitting most golf cartsFrom the makers of the Original Club steering wheel lock

The Wrap Electronic Vehicle Anti-Theft System $74.95 The Wrap Electronic Vehicle Anti-Theft System with Remote Control Multi-Layered, Portable Protection! Mounts Easily To Your Steering Wheel. Fits 14.25 to 15.50 inch steering wheels. Remote Control arms and disarms The Wrap. Super High Impact Resistant Construction - Highly visible, space age structural resin is lightweight, weather resistant, is reinforced with a steel frame. The Wrap resists sawing, drilling, hammering and grinding. Anti-Rotation Arm - Prevents full rotation of steering wheel. The Wrap protects your air bag and covers 200 degrees of steering wheel. Keyed Lock - Part of the remote control, the key is easy to grip and turn even in cold weather. LED Warning Lights - 3 flashing lights advertise you are protected. Visible through tinted glass. Motion-Activated 120 Decibel Siren - Pain-generating sounds when the Wrap is tampered with. Batteries included. Non-Skid Lining - Securely grips and protects your steering wheel. Crime Prevention Officers Agree - An effective vehicle theft deterrent is highly visible and renders the steering wheel unusable. One-Year Warranty and $500 Deductible Guarantee

32 Inch Deluxe Anti-Theft Spare Tire Cover by Chrysler $107.99 32 in. spare tire cover.Black denim.Anti-theft.Black Jeep logo

29 Inch Deluxe Anti-Theft Spare Tire Cover by Chrysler $104.99 29 in. spare tire cover.Black denim.Anti-theft.Black Jeep logo

30 Inch Deluxe Anti-Theft Spare Tire Cover by Chrysler $96.99 30 in. spare tire cover.Black denim.Anti-theft.Black Jeep logo

Alarm Club Vehicle Anti-theft Lock and Siren $81.02 Protect your car with this anti-theft steering wheel lockSteering wheel lock sounds a 130-decibel alarm when botheredCar interior includes an easy-to-use self-locking feature -- one pull and it locksLED lights for nighttime visibility and protectionAdjustable sensitivity settings Adjustable exit timer to customize Club for your personal vehicle Two-stage alarming sequence to prevent accidentally setting off alarmLow battery light indicatorUniversal fit Works on cars, trucks and SUVsAlarm requires one 9-volt battery (battery not included)

Cystal White Wheel Nuts Caps Tire Tyre Covers Anti Theft 20pcs $13.49 Description:This is a set of Car Wheel Wheel Nuts Caps Covers includes 20 pcs and a removing tool.The Tyre Nuts Covers are made of high-quality material, it do not only look captivatingly good, but in addition to this, they protect your valuable wheels from thieves.The removing tool is make of metal. wheel nut caps can only be removed with the enclosed removing tool.Tire Nuts Covers make your car cool! Stylize your wheels!The color is Crystal whiteSize: approx. 2.1(W)cmx 2.8cm(L)Weight: 162gInstallation instructions:Install the wheel nut caps onto the wheel nut with an appropriate rubber hammer until firm.Wheel nut caps can only be removed with the enclosed removing tool.Package included:20 pcs x Anti Theft Nuts Caps1 x removing tool

Tyre Covers Anti Theft Wheel Nuts Caps 20 Pcs $15.49 Description: Wheel Nuts Caps looks cool and protect your valuable wheels from thievesNuts Caps Cystal White can only be removed with the enclosed removing tool.The removing tool is need when installingWith English Installation Instruction on the blister card's backMaterial : PVCSize of Tire Nut Cap Cystal White : approx. 3.3cm (W) x 2.6cm (H); Inner wide: 2.4cmWeight: 208gPackage included:20 pcs x Tyre Nut Cap

The Club Twin Hooks Vehicle Anti-theft Lock $47.75 Materials: Cro-moly steelWheel Size: Fits most steering wheelsLocking type: Self-lockingColor/Design: Black vinyl with gold lockActivation Start Time: SecondsCorrosion ResistantUniversal fit works on cars, vans and SUVsKeyless Locking for ease of useTwin Hook Design is tougher to defeatCro-moly steel construction resists sawing, prying, hammering and freon attacksNew and improved solid steel hooks for even greater securityHigh visibility deters theft Yellow vinyl finish protects your steering wheel.Dimensions: 22 inches long x 5 inches wide x 5.5 inches high