Closing date July issue -> May 19
Preventing burglary or theft: 4 tips to park your classic car safely
Naturally, you prefer to store your classic car or other cars in a secure garage. But if you don't have that luxury, or when you're taking a trip with your car, it's useful to know how to keep your car as safe as possible when you park it on the street. In this article you will therefore find four useful tips.
During the winter months, the risk of car break-ins and theft is significantly higher. November, in particular, proves to be a popular month among car thieves. This is partly because it gets dark earlier and people prefer to stay indoors when it is cold and dreary outside. Use the following four tips to protect your beloved car from criminals.
- Park in a clearly visible place
According to the police, a busy, well-lit location is the ideal place to park your car as safely as possible. This is because burglars and thieves run a greater risk of being caught here, making them less likely to strike.
- Engrave your license plate
Although classic cars are often easier to find due to their unique appearance, it doesn't hurt to make them as recognizable as possible. The CCV (Centre for Crime Prevention and Security) recommends ensuring the license plate is securely attached so that thieves cannot simply remove it. Even better: engrave the license plate number on one of the windows, so your car is recognizable even if the license plate is removed.
- Check your insurance
Car insurance is of course a must, but a standard car insurance policy does not cover theft or burglary. If you would like to be insured against these things, you need a WA-Plus or All-risk policy.
Additionally, it can be beneficial to take out special classic car insurance for cars 40 years or older. This is because the current market value of a classic car is often much lower than its actual value, meaning that standard insurance pays out significantly less in the event of a break-in or theft.
- Always take your navigation system with you
Maybe you use your phone to navigate, or maybe you use a separate navigation system. In any case, it is important to always take this with you, even if you are only parked for a short time. Always leave glove compartments empty and open, so that thieves can see from the outside that there is nothing to take.
Well prepared
Your beloved classic car probably has a lot of sentimental value in addition to financial value. By parking as safely as possible in busy and well-lit areas and by not leaving valuables behind, you make your car as unattractive as possible for thieves and burglars.
When the weather is nice I often leave it in front of the garage for a while instead of in it. If a thief finds it fascinating enough, they first have to brave the all-seeing eye of the neighbors across the street. If that all-seeing eye is not there, they will have to stab you dozens of times to get off the property. Given the defective choke, it will take a while before it is driveable and then I will be standing next to it with a bat. 🙂
Mechanical aids are still the most effective.
Bring wheel clamp, extra steering or pedal lock, battery disconnect, rotor from the Delco, etc.