How to protect yourself from keyless car theft

Want to know how to protect yourself from keyless car theft? Take note of some useful tips we've selected for you and rest easy!

You should know that newer cars have a more modern key, it works in person, not requiring it to be inserted into the lock.

The thing is, keyless car thefts can be simpler and quicker than it seems.

With hackers and cybercrimes, digital fraudster thieves have emerged who can unlock and steal vehicles.

In Birmingham, England, a video captured thieves stealing a car without keys.

Using equipment, they can “copy” the key signal and release the vehicle, thus carrying out the theft.

This crime is becoming increasingly common as the use of keyless entry increases. However, if your car uses this technology, there is no need to despair. There are measures that can help you protect your vehicle.

Image: Getty

Prevent keyless car thefts

A survey carried out in the United Kingdom between April 2016 and March 2017 identified that 85% of vehicle thefts with keyless entry occurred at night.

While drivers were at home, often sleeping, their vehicles were stolen.

Sometimes, adopting some simple habits can avoid the problem.

Block the signal

Since criminals copy your key signal, it needs to be blocked to prevent this from happening.

The first step is to not place the device too close to the front of the house, making it difficult to copy the signal.

Placing the keys in a metal box or even inside the refrigerator causes the signal to become confused and makes copying difficult.

But, if you don't want to pick up your keys in the morning and feel that they are cold, you can choose to turn them off.

In this case, you need to check the vehicle manual to see if this possibility exists and how to do it.

Use physical blockers

Do you remember the steering lock that was used a few years ago that attached the steering wheel to the pedal?

Even though they may seem quite old, they are still one of the best options for preventing the theft of any vehicle.

To remove them, the thief will have to work hard and it will take time. Because of this, they end up giving up on taking the car, even if they have already managed to hack the key signal.

Have a tracker

The tracker will not prevent your car from being stolen, but it will reduce your losses.

The chances of it being recovered in case of theft are high and will help authorized dealers to find the car as quickly as possible.

Leave the car in the garage

A survey carried out by the State Secretariat for Public Security of the State of São Paulo in 2017 showed that more than 75% of vehicle thefts occur on public roads.

This means that if your vehicle is parked in a garage with the gate closed, it has a much lower chance of being stolen.

Especially at night, when you get home, collect your vehicle and close the gate.

Keyless car insurance

Even with the most modern technology, cars without keys, as you may have noticed, are subject to theft and other accidents.

The ideal way to protect them is to have car insurance that offers the coverage the driver needs.

This way, if the vehicle is stolen, the losses will be smaller. If it is recovered with damage, the insurance will cover the damage.

However, if it is not found, the insurer will pay compensation corresponding to the value of the vehicle.

Want to know what your car insurance can cover and how it works? Get a quote online and find out more.