According to Ted Saraf, who worked with the California Police Department for over 30 years, over 400 classic cars have been stolen since 2008 from Los Angeles, and less than 2% have been recovered.
To prevent these unfortunate events from happening to your beloved classic, we have compiled the best preventive methods you can use to secure classic cars from theft.
What these thieves do is that they visit classic car shows, find the exact car they need, take the photos and show it to their buyers. They then follow the owner to their house, garage or wherever they are keeping the car, break in at night and run away with the cars.
Everyone cherishes classic cars due to their value and appeal, representing symbols of pride and joy for their owners. This makes classic car theft to be a real concern and investing significant time and money in protecting your classic car from theft should also be a genuine concern.
Classic cars are prone to theft because:
- They are easier to break into and steal due to the lack of modern security features.
- They are costly, and their parts are valuable and worth a huge amount of money.
- They are difficult to track down.
- They are not easily identifiable by licensing authorities when stolen.
- They are beginning to be in high demand in the US classic market.
To help out, let’s discuss our top 10 ways to protect your vintage ride from theft.
READ ALSO: Top Must-Have Classic Car Accessories for Vintage Car Restoration
10 Ways to Protect Your Classic Car from Theft
Modern anti-theft systems and technologies are not part of classic car features and packages. Hence, auto theft is a more significant threat for classic car owners. Here, we provide top tips and strategies you can implement to deter thieves from separating you and your cherished car.
1. Get Insurance
Before thinking of other anti-theft measures, the first thing you should do is get classic car insurance. This assures you that you won’t lose out if all other strategies fail to prevent your classic car from getting stolen. The insurance company will be able to compensate you even if you cannot recover or replace your beloved old car.
Classic car insurance is quite different from regular auto insurance due to classic cars’ pattern of usage and how they vary in terms of value and appraisal by private evaluators.
2. Choose a Qualified and Reliable Shipping Company
Thieves find it easier to steal vehicles in transit than when they have been packed in security-enhanced garages. So, before shipping, contact your insurance provider to know if your classic car is covered while in transit. You can also ask them to refer you to a trusted shipping company.
Ensure you choose an experienced, qualified shipping agent who knows what to do. The agent must be the one that ensure your shipped classic car is not on display for any potential theft. You should also verify that the shipper has reliable security and anti-theft devices in place, including CCTV cameras, high-quality locks and more.
3. Install a Kill Switch
Installing a hidden kill switch or battery disconnect is a common device for preventing valuable classic car theft. The aftermarket device allows you to connect and disconnect the battery when the car is not in use. This will hinder potential thieves from starting the car engine since it would be dead already.
Look for a professional mechanic who is an expert in installing the kill switch since an improper installation can lead to issues with the electrical system. The last thing you won’t want is to see your car stop in the middle of the highway due to miscommunication between the kill switch and ignition or power to the fuel pump. So, ensure the battery disconnect is properly installed.
4. Attach a GPS Tracker
Installing a tracker may not directly prevent car thief, but it has proven to be one of the best ways to recover your vehicle when broken into and driven away by thieves. There are several tracking devices in the market that allow you to activate in a situation when your car is stolen, thereby revealing the vehicle’s location to you and law enforcement.
Some trackers also operate using GPS, allowing you to track your vehicle’s location directly on your mobile phone. Other trackers also alert car owners of any unauthorized attempt to access their cars.
5. Put an Alarm Sticker
This only serves as a warning to potential thieves that your car is installed with a tracking device and under surveillance. This would help them think twice before breaking into your car, and if they do, you won’t give up on tracking it down and get them charged if caught.
6. Secure Your Garage
Unlike regular cars, classic cars are not daily drivers, so they can be kept for months or years without use. This makes them prime targets for thieves who know the car has been sitting unattended to for a long time.
To secure your classic car in your garage, ensure it’s always locked and covered so it won’t be visible. You can also employ security cameras for enhanced protection.
7. Park Your Car in a Secure Location When in Use
When you’re in town with your car and to park for a little or long time, always use a secured public parking space even if you have to pay more to enjoy the benefit. This is safer than parking in an unattended parking lot and then having your precious classic car stolen. Losing your valuable car to thieves is costlier than paying for an expensive parking lot that guarantees a level of security.
8. Install Anti-theft Devices For Classic Cars
Is your classic car without an alarm? Installing one will serve as a great theft protection tool to discourage theives from having illegal access to your car.
You can also use a steering wheel lock to immobilize the steering wheel, thus deterring thieves when they view your car interior from the window. If you have a classic car with an easily removable steering wheel, you can remove it when the car is not in use.
9. Add Protective Security Windshields
You can add another layer of protection to secure your car by replacing the standard glass with security glass, which makes it hard for thieves to break into it. Another option is to try security films, which offer a better aesthetic than the security glass.
10. Keep the car Keys Safe
The last but the most straightforward safety measure is to always keep your keys safe. Stealing your car keys is easier for thieves than bypassing the ignition interlock without the key, so don’t make it easy for thieves to gain access to your car by being careless with key handling.
By implementing one or more of these security measures, rest assured that your precious car is out of bounds and difficult for thieves to own illegally. However, if you’re in the market to buy a classic car, you should protect yourself from car scams or dishonest dealers by verifying the classic car’s specifications and history using a classic VIN decoder.
Conclusion
With the increasing car theft rate in the automotive market, it’s your responsibility to protect your classic car from thieves by utilizing the tips discussed in this article. If your classic car is stolen, reporting it to your local police as soon as it happens can increase your chances of recovering and reuniting with your cherished vehicle. When investing in a classic car, always prioritize safety and its protection from car theft.
