(BLACK PR WIRE)--Nobody wants to be the victim of automobile theft. Thieves do not steal just for the car itself, but also for its parts, equipment and owner’s valuables, which are sold underground and more difficult to trace by law enforcement authorities. 

Most drivers practice the obvious precautions. They know to lock a car securely, roll up the windows, park in well-lit areas, keep valuables hidden, park in the garage when at home, and maintain a working alarm. Some spend extra money to install special “club” locks, disabling locks and satellite anti-theft devices. Determined, experienced thieves may still find ways to circumvent these methods.

Some drivers of midsize and economy cars are complacent about safety because they figure their cars are not as attractive to thieves as luxury cars, sports cars or SUVs would be. Car aficionado magazines often print annual lists of the top car models most frequently stolen. If you get the opportunity, review this information. You may be surprised at how frequently midsize vehicles appear on these lists, and you can factor it into your decision-making the next time you have to buy or lease a car.

No matter what type of car you drive, there are some additional precautions you can take to frustrate a thief’s designs on your car:

• Don’t leave your registration and ownership documents in your car. This will prevent thieves from using them to sell your car.
• Some car models have a duplicate key that only starts the ignition and opens the driver’s door. If you must use valet parking, use this type of key.
• When you park, leave your car in “park” with your emergency break on.
• If they are not marked already, mark your vehicle identification number on your car’s equipment.
• If you don’t have the option of garage parking at your home, try to park in a space that is well-populated or has other cars around.