If you’ve been following our journey here at eTags for a while, you will have noticed that we generally like to look at the bright side of life. Automobiles can signify great freedom and ease of movement, and we believe that focusing on that kind of aspect fosters good feelings all around. Even when we’re rolling out the seemingly mundane steps of title transfer or registration renewal, there is always the understanding that beneath the doldrums lies opportunity. Think about it: a properly titled vehicle, a currently registered car…these things mean you can move about your city, state, country without hindrance.
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But occasionally we are inspired to explore topics that no one really wants to talk about, but are, in fact, necessary for vehicle owners. Today’s topic is just that.
Because there is a vehicle stolen roughly every 30 seconds in the U.S., today we get into the nooks and crannies of how prevent auto theft.
Of course, if you own a car, truck, SUV, motorcycle, or RV, you will like have auto insurance. And that policy will more than likely cover something like theft. But if you had the knowledge and chance to deter thieves, avoid having to file an insurance claim, and the headache of the claim process, wouldn’t that be a nice thing? We think it might.
Here are some keys factors in the prevention of auto theft:
Lock your doors. This is generally an obvious first step, but sometimes folks forget that the simple act of securing their vehicle can be the most important. Like many processes in life, thieves tend to look for the path of least resistance; the easier the access is to the inside of the car, the more attractive it is (even while driving, unfortunately). So the most basic and possibly most effective action is simply to make sure your doors and trunk are locked.
Keep valuables out of sight. Even if you’ve made certain that your doors are locked, leaving bags, clothes, laptops, suitcases, or anything that might seem appealing to a thief, only makes the car more attractive. The less tempting, the better. So remember to keep the interior of your ride clear of objects that might entice a wayward soul to break in and get their hands on your valuables. 
Never leave your keys in your car. Even if you’re just running into the shop or into your friend’s house for a minute, leaving your keys is basically an invitation to thieves to snag an easy score. And even if you think you’ve “hidden” your keys, the fact that your doors remain unlocked is a sure sign to a potential thief that there’s a good chance the keys might be sitting in the visor or glove box or the like.
Avoid leaving your car running. You might assume that since you are able to let the engine run while the doors are locked and the keys are with you, that no one will dream of taking your ride. Well, sadly, that’s not the case. A car with its motor on is code for: smash a window and let’s go! It’s a better idea to shut the engine, lock the doors, and roll up those windows if you are going to step away from your vehicle.
Get picky about parking. As much as you are able, choose a well-lit, public spot to park your car. Whether outdoors or in a public garage, thieves prefer to work under the shadow of dark, and are less likely to steal a vehicle that’s positioned right under a streetlight, or next to an elevator or building entrance. 
Remain vigilant. Auto theft can happen while a car is parked or while it’s on the move. It’s a smart move to be aware of your surroundings, familiar with the neighborhood, and alert in general. For example, if you may have to pass through an area that is known for car theft, choose a different route that is deemed safer, even if it may take more time to get to your destination.
Get that VIN etched. Many automobiles come with the VIN sticker attached to a door frame or pasted to the windshield. As a preventative measure, you can opt to have your VIN etched directly into the glass (as opposed to simply stuck onto it). This will make theft much more costly for a would-be thief, as he will then have to replace the entire windshield in order to use or sell the vehicle illegally.
Thieves don’t want to spend money….they want quick and easy. Etched VINs are the opposite of this!
Hold onto your documents. Don’t leave your registration, title, or insurance card in the vehicle. Any sort of document with personal information can not only be appealing to a thief and make them want your vehicle more, but can also lead to identity theft. The best bet is to keep all important identifying docs and cards with you at all times.
There are also other ways to deter thieves from attempting to steal your car, truck, or SUV. A few of these options are as follows:
Display your anti-theft system. By implementing and advertising your vehicle’s anti-theft system, you can repel the type of thief who just doesn’t want to be bothered with alarms, flashing lights, and vehicle recovery systems. The more difficult you make the robbery, the less appealing it will be to potential criminals.
Install a wheel-locking device. This, in itself, is an automatic deterrent. The time it takes for a thief to remove a club or collar from your car, is the time it could take them to just be off with another vehicle that was easier to steal.
A lot of these steps will seem pretty logical, and chances are you’ve already put most – if not all – of these elements to work by now. But it’s always helpful to have a reminder, and if even one of these points saves your ride from falling into unsavory hands, then we’ve done our duty. Because, you know…at eTags, we’re here to help!
