Owning a car is one of the most convenient luxuries of modern life. From driving to work to transporting goods, cars help us run errands in a much faster and more comfortable manner. It gets you to work and even ferries the family around when required. Like several other assets,

cars are susceptible to incur serious repair bills and unexpected expenses down the road. However, it’s never too late to become cautious and ready. Here are some tips on how to take better care of your investment and possibly avoid huge expenses.

Since your car is such an important part of your life, its security should never be neglected. According to statistics conducted in 2014 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in India, a car is stolen almost every minute. However, 50 percent of these stolen cars are recovered. Can you imagine the secure feeling of being reunited with your stolen car? But most often stolen cars undergo a strip-off where certain components of the car are lost beyond the bounds of recovery. Therefore, to protect your motor investments from theft, take note of the following vital key points:

  • Keep your extra key safe at all times. Some car owners hide their spare keys under their cars. Such practices are the most basic avoidables on the list of ‘what not to do to keep your car safe’. It is advised to keep your extra key in a safe house, away from the reach and intent of thieves.
  • Double-check while leaving the car. As basic as it may sound, extra caution equals extra safety. While parking at a public driveway or even in your residential parking, be sure to double-check your car lock. Even tiny gaps between doors and windows in a car have the potential of attracting thieves. Often, just ensuring such measures prevent car owners from trouble.
  • Intelligent parking. Since criminals are growing bolder by the day, just parking in a well-lit area isn’t sufficient to ensure your car’s safety. Hence, it is wise to find a spot that is around the entrance of buildings where the security is more overt and alert. Another thing to watch out for while finding a parking spot is to locate the cameras and park accordingly.
  • Internal security system. These days most cars come equipped with a built-in alarm so make sure that you use it. Having a GPS on your car is another way to heighten the security of your car. These are directly connected to your computer, tablets, or mobiles and send alerts, helping the authorities track down the car’s precise location.
  • Never leave any valuables in the car. Leaving your valuables in the car is a bad idea considering safety measures. Even if you do choose to leave them in your vehicle, be sure to not keep them in plain sight. Valuables can entice would-be thieves to break into your vehicle.
  • Never leave your car running. Leaving the keys in the car is a common practice among car owners. However, leaving your car running is never the most secure thing to do as leaving it running only makes it susceptible to theft attempts.

Protecting Your Automobile From Natural Calamities

It is advisable to get auto insurance that protects your car against natural calamities like hurricanes, etc. Here are some ways in which you can keep your car safe during natural calamities.

  • Higher grounds: Move your car to elevated grounds if you live in a flood-prone area.
  • Park inside: Protect your car from debris by parking it in a safe and secure location.
  • Comprehensive coverage: Check your insurance policy timely to ensure that you have damage coverage.