How to Keep Your Car From Being Stolen

While another car is stolen every 27 seconds in America, this doesn't mean that -sooner or later-your car has to be one of them. Professional thieves like the theft to be "quick and easy," and if you take some precautions, you will be well ahead of people who think the situation is hopeless and don't even try to protect themselves. Also, because your insurance company bases its premiums (in part) on the likelihood of your car being stolen, vehicles with a high theft rate are generally more expensive to insure.

Here are some things you can do to protect your car:

- Keep your car doors locked at all times and install an anti-theft device if you don't already have one.

- Always park your car inside your garage (if you have one) and remember to lock the garage door.

- After dark, park your car in a safe, well-lit or well-traveled location.

- Don't store anything of obvious value in plain sight.

- Have the vehicle identification number (VIN) etched into the windows and major parts of your car. This will make it harder for thieves to resell it on the black market.

- If you park on the street, use the emergency brake, turn you wheels toward the curb, and try to park between other cars. Doing that will make it more difficult for a thief to tow your car away.

- Avoid parking your vehicle in a long-term parking lot and remove all portable electronic devices when you leave your car.

Anti-theft devices. Some states require insurance companies to give discounts to car owners who install ant-itheft devices, but if you live in a state where such a discount isn't required, your insurance carrier will probably offer one to you anyway. As a rule, these discounts are higher for automatic anti-theft devices.

There are many types of anti-theft devices on the market, and it won't be hard to find one that fits your budget and suits your needs. They include:

- Car alarms

- Steering wheel locks

- Immobilizers

- Glass sensors

- Ignition-kill switches

- Fuel-kill switches

- Radio receivers/transmitters.