With the holiday season approaching, your luxury car is particularly vulnerable to criminals. Though the season brings plenty of good cheer, it's also a prime time for thieves to break into vehicles and steal big-ticket items while people are out shopping and attending parties, leading to anxiety and potentially expensive foreign car repairs. The risk of having your car stolen is also a big concern.  Here's how to be proactive and protect your car and belongings.

How to Keep Your Car Safe This Holiday Shopping Season

1. Lock Up Manually

Any time you leave your car, ensure all the windows are rolled up, and lock the doors immediately upon exit. If possible, manually lock the vehicle. Though key fobs are convenient for locking and unlocking the doors from several feet away, thieves can use devices to trace your fob's signal as you press the button, copy it, and use the copy to get into the locked car.

2. Install Anti-theft Devices

Installing a dashcam may deter criminals from targeting your car and belongings. People often commit crimes they think they can get away with, which is why a camera can be a deterrent. You can also purchase a key fob bag with signal blocking so that you can use the fob without worrying about anyone copying the signal. 

3. Park Strategically

Parking can get hectic during the holidays because more people are out shopping and traveling. You might think it's better to park in the back of parking lots or on side streets to avoid parking lot accidents. 

Unfortunately, parking too far from shop entrances and other drivers puts you at greater risk for theft. When possible, park closer to areas with plenty of light and foot traffic. Criminals prefer to work in darkness and solitude.

Car theft is another concern.  Due to improvements in theft-resistant features on cars, criminals today are resorting to theft by towing cars (particulary luxury foreign cars).  Good news!  Thieves can't tow away your car if they can't get to the front of the car and the front wheels aren't straight.  Park with the nose of your car against a wall or parking lot island, and turn the front wheels on an angle.

4. Hide Valuables

Like most drivers, you're likely to keep essential items in your vehicle, like bags, purses, phones, and device chargers. When you're driving from store to store on a holiday shopping trip, the number of valuables in the vehicle can increase along with the number of would-be thieves out casing parking lots. Leaving any valuables in plain sight can tempt criminals and turn you into a target for theft. 

Instead of leaving items out in the open, lock valuables in the trunk. Small items like phones and chargers can be stashed under the front seat as well.

5. Have the Right Insurance

Despite the best precautions, someone could steal your car or belongings anyway. Fortunately, adding theft or break-in coverage to your auto insurance policy will take care of any damage and loss you sustain from a robbery. However, it's wise to contact your agency to determine if you can go to an auto repair shop of your choosing. Damage caused by break-ins is frequently severe and complicated to repair.  Make sure you choose a shop with excellent Google ratings, and call to make sure they have the diagnostic ability and experience to repair your make and model of vehicle, 

Foreign Exchange can help you with all of your foreign vehicle service and repair needs. For over 45 years, this locally-owned business has provided superior foreign vehicle services. Their skilled mechanics stay informed about global auto innovations and use the Autologic® diagnostic system to identify problems quickly. Call (937) 813-1231 for the Centerville, OH store, or visit Foreign Exchange online to find the nearest location.