Hoot guides to preventing your car getting stolen
At Hoot Car Insurance Services, we search high and low for the best deals on cheap car insurance, and then we pass those savings onto you. We pride ourselves on working harder and going further than other car insurance companies to make sure you get a competitive car insurance quote with a superior standard of cover. But it doesn't stop with a great quote on your motor insurance, however - here at Hoot, we've got a lot more to give in terms of advice and essential info for drivers. That's why we put together this series of Hoot Guides, with titles ranging from How to pass your driving test to What to look for in a second hand car. One thing you probably don't need us to tell you, however, is that having your car stolen can be very inconvenient, no matter how good your car insurance policy is. We've put together this Hoot Guide to help you avoid the ordeal of car theft. There's no guarantee it won't happen, but if you take the advice which follows we reckon you'll be much less likely to come back to an empty parking space next time you leave your car somewhere.
Anti-Theft Kit
Make a few simple changes to your car itself and it'll look much less appealing to a potential thief. Not only that - for the few quid it costs, this kit will add corresponding value to your car and possibly lead to a discount on your cheap car insurance premiums.
1. Alarms and immobilisers
These make a great deterrent and are often fairly cheap to fit. If you're thinking about getting such a system installed, make sure it's recognised by your motor insurance provider first. That way, you'll save money on your car insurance premiums as well as making your car more secure.
2. Window etching
Car thieves often try to sell on stolen cars under an assumed identity - and this doesn't mean putting a false beard on. The more identifying marks you put on your car, the harder it is for the crooks to pass it off as another one.
Window etching makes a permanent mark where it's tricky to erase. People generally opt for their registration number or the last seven digits of their VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), either of which makes the car a much less attractive prospect for illegal resale. 3. Security marking
A similar approach to window etching, but this time you'll be marking everything valuable that isn't tied down (the CD player, for instance, or the spare wheel) with a special pen that shows up under UV light. As before, go for your registration number for maximum traceability.
UV security marking won't deter thieves like window etching because it'll be invisible to them - but at least if your car or contents are later recovered the cops will know where to send them. The pens are available all over the place for as little as £1, but check out http://www.securedbydesign.com if you want kits specifically endorsed by the police. 4. Locking wheel nuts
A brilliant idea, particularly if you routinely park in areas where the odd wheel is liable to go missing overnight. Cheap as chips and easy to fit - if not to remove!
Smart Parking
Burglar-proofing your car is a complete waste of time if you then go and park it in a dark alley with the windows open. Keep your wits about you when it comes to parking and the thieves won't give your motor a second glance.
1. Choosing a car park
All car parks were not created equal, particularly when it comes to security. Try to find one with attendants, or, failing that, lots of other cars and people milling about. The police run a Safe Parking Scheme http://www.saferparking.com which has recommendations for good sites in your area.
Also, be sure to take your car park ticket with you when you go. Not having it to hand will make the job of escaping much harder for a thief. 2.Leaving your car at night
If you don't have a garage or driveway you can use, always park in a well-lit place. Crooks are much more comfortable working under the cover of darkness, so don't make it easy for them.
3. Personal possessions
Never leave your personal belongings on display - hide them under the seats or in the boot if you can't take them with you. A nice looking camera or shopping bag might be just the bonus item an enterprising crook is looking for.
4. Windows
You might just have got them etched, but did you remember to roll them up? Be sure to batten down all the hatches when you quit the vehicle, no matter how hot it is. Think what you would rather have - an uncomfortably hot car, or an uncomfortably hot walk down to the police station to report it stolen?
5. Ignition key
Don't ever leave your car with the keys in - even for thirty seconds. It sounds a bit paranoid, but there are plenty of people making embarrassing motor insurance claims every year because they turned their back on an idling car and an opportunist thief made off with it.
The last word on stolen cars
It's one thing trying to make sure your motor doesn't get stolen in future - but what if it was stolen before you bought it? If you're thinking of buying second hand, check with HPI http://www.hpicheck.com before you hand over the money to make sure it's a legitimate sale.
Cheap car insurance is 'a steal' at Hoot
The tips in this Hoot Guide should make your car a substantially less appealing prospect to the average crook, but sadly we can't guarantee it won't get stolen.
Car theft is, and will continue to be, an ugly reality on British roads, and unfortunately there's very little you can do to stop a determined thief from making off with your ride if he or she takes a particular fancy to it. In situations like these you'll have to rely on your car insurance company to get you back on the road with a minimum of fuss and bother. Most drivers admit they'd compromise on cover for the sake of cheaper car insurance, but at times of crisis (like the theft of your car) many of the budget motor insurance firms out there can come unstuck. Luckily for you, there's at least one provider which combines really cheap car insurance with rock-solid cover and great customer service. It's Hoot Car Insurance Services, of course! At Hoot, we cut out all the unnecessary sales-type services, like a six-figure advertising budget (we don't waste a penny on adverts) and the rental charge on high street shops (we're an online car insurance company for a good reason) so you can make massive savings on the price of young driver car insurance without having to make that compromise on cover. So what are you waiting for? Click on the quote button to find out just how little a full-featured car insurance quote can cost.
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