6 Ways to Prevent Car Theft

3. Scratch up your car

No, not the way you’re thinking. We’re talking about etching the vehicle identification number (VIN) in more places on your car (it usually comes stamped on the driver’s door, near the windshield and on the engine).

Why? It deters thieves who want to steal your car to chop it up for parts or even just steal specific parts, says Gould, adding that “parts marking is a great way to deter theft and recover components, and we recommend it to the extent that it is practical and feasible.”

The Victoria, Texas, police department website suggests adding the VIN on each of the windows as an especially good deterrent; it puts the thief in the position of having to replace and dispose of about 100 pounds of identifiable glass — which is often more than they want to deal with.

You can ask a service shop to etch the car’s VIN onto parts like the catalytic converter, the glass surfaces on the windows, the moonroof and the headlamps.

4. Install a remote kill switch and visual deterrents

You or your mechanic can install a remote kill switch in your car that can cut the power to a few different vital car systems — like the fuel pump — using your key fob.

“The remote-style kill switches are a great product and can serve to prevent a theft, as well as limit the distance a stolen vehicle can travel,” Gould says, adding that some versions of the switch will even shut the car off after a short time if they don’t sense the exact fob that came with the car. 

There’s also a button, which Gould calls the secret switch, that you can install somewhere inside the car, like under the dashboard. You have to press this button before the car will start, even if you have a key. “The secret switch is of course only as good as the hiding place or the thieves’ knowledge of the vehicle,” Gould says. “But for the cost and effectiveness of the secret switch, it’s one of my go-to recommendations for vehicle theft prevention, especially on older vehicles.”

Gould says it would be wise to add a visual deterrent (such as the aforementioned stickers or The Club) along with a kill switch so a thief doesn’t end up damaging doors, windows or steering columns trying to steal the car before they realize it can be immobilized.

5. Secure your license plates

Thieves often remove the license plates from the cars they take, making identification harder. Thwart them by swapping out the standard Philips or hex head screws with an anti-theft version, which comes packaged with a special screwdriver bit. Chances are crooks won’t be carrying the same special bit around, which makes removing the plates harder and stealing your car less worth their time. 

“Tamper-proof license plate screws of all varieties are great and low-cost,” Gould says. “License plate theft goes hand in hand with auto theft.”

There are many incidents where folks have their plates stolen or switched and don’t even notice for a long period of time until they receive an outrageous toll bill, or an unexpected call from law enforcement saying their plate was recovered, says Gould.

6. Have a commonsense parking plan

It sounds basic, but is worth mentioning: Park in well-lit areas, even if that means walking a bit further. Street lights or parking lot lights make it harder for thieves to work on a car unnoticed.

Gould says it is important to make the car as visible as possible so it’s harder for the thief to steal the car unnoticed.

And if your car does get stolen? Have a plan of action

Report the stolen vehicle immediately. Call the police first, states the National Insurance Crime Bureau website (NICB). Often the insurance company requires a police report. But do call the insurance company soon, says Wakeman, because the quicker you do, the quicker they can start your claim. And there are few key pieces of information you should have ready that will make reporting easier and faster.

Have your car’s identifying info at the ready. You will need the make/model, color, license plate and VIN. The VIN is often on your insurance policy or the proof of insurance card. You can also find the VIN stamped on the car, either where the dashboard meets the windshield (visible from the outside corner on the driver’s side), the driver’s side door or in the car’s app.

Get a vehicle recovery system. This might not prevent someone from stealing your car, but it can help you get it back, according to the NHTSA. There is a wide range of GPS trackers on the market, from simple DIY options that plug into the OBD-II port on a compatible car (typically under the dashboard) to more elaborate ones that might require professional installation. Car and Driver magazine has a list of their best for 2024. GPS tracking is different from an Apple AirTag, which doesn’t have the same range but can still be useful in finding a car if the device is detected by other Apple users. Some police departments, including those in New York City and Washington, D.C., are even handing out Apple AirTags as a means to track stolen vehicles.