You likely don’t expect your car to be vandalized when you leave it in the parking lot, but it can happen to anyone. Fortunately, an auto body repair shop can restore your car afterward. You can also take steps to avoid being the victim of vandals.

4 Ways to Prevent Car Vandalism

1. Park in Well-Lit, Secure Areas

Criminals often target vehicles parked in dark spots where they think nobody will see their wrongdoing. Deter would-be criminals by parking in a well-lit area at night, such as under a street lamp.

You can also park by the entrance of the establishment you plan to visit, where people going in and out might notice suspicious activity. Or if you spot surveillance cameras, park near them. Their footage can be used to identify vandals long after they damage your car.

If you can’t find a suitable parking spot, pay for valet parking to minimize the risk of vandalism. 

2. Lock the Doors

Before leaving your car, roll the windows up. Leaving even a tiny opening can allow vandals to throw trash, flammable materials, or harmful chemicals inside the car to ruin the interior. Lock all the doors and double-check each one before leaving the vehicle unattended.

3. Never Leave Valuables Inside

Sometimes, the reason for the vandalism isn’t to ruin a car. The perpetrators might see something valuable inside, such as a laptop or handbag left on the seat, and smash a window to steal the item. Take out anything that might catch a thief’s eye to prevent such incidents.

4. Add Security Features

Protect your vehicle by beefing up its security features. Some auto body repair shops sell and install alarm systems and dashboard cameras to ward off criminals. Choose a dash cam with a parking mode feature that continues to record even when the ignition is turned off.

If your car gets vandalized, take it for auto body repairs at Bob Hastings Collision in East Rochester, NY. As one of the most trusted auto body shops in the area, they’ve earned a reputation for delivering impressive results for car restoration, paint scratch repair, and auto detailing. Call (585) 383-8150 for a free estimate, or visit them online to learn more about their auto body repair services.