Published 8 May 2026
How can I keep my car from being stolen?
2024 saw the theft of more than 60,000 vehicles in the UK. Here are a number of ways to keep your car secure and help protect it against theft…
Lock your car and keep your keys out of reach
It’s easy to forget to lock your car at times, in fact it can happen to anyone. It may sound obvious, but double-checking it’s locked might just stop it from being stolen!
If you use a keyless fob, try not to leave it anywhere near your car. Technology used by thieves makes it possible to unlock a keyless car from just outside your home.
You can get special pouches or boxes for your fob that block the signal and it may even help to keep it tucked away in a drawer.
Any type of key kept near the main doors of your home is a risk, so keep them somewhere safe and don’t make it easy for would-be thieves.
Park in a safe space
If you can park in a garage or a drive, you should. If parking on the road is your only option, try to park in a well-lit area, with other cars and houses around. Check out our handy article for more parking tips.
Security is key
GPS trackers are a great help when it comes to finding stolen cars still on the road. A VHF tracker can even locate cars in underground car parks and can’t be blocked by savvy thieves using technology. For this reason, trackers can also be a great deterrent. You could also look into locking wheel nuts, car immobilisers or steering wheel locks.
Thieves often target specific cars, such as hybrid or electric vehicles. Simple measures like installing a catalytic converter lock or marking it with Smartwater technology could be enough to put thieves off.
And finally, remove your valuables
We’re sure you’ve heard it all before, but you really shouldn’t tempt fate. Keep your valuables, and your vehicle safe by keeping things like wallets, phones and other devices out of the car. If an item has value to you, there’s a good chance it also has value to a thief.
With our Allianz Online Gold cover level, you're covered for up to £300 for personal belongings if they're stolen from your car. Our Allianz Online Silver cover level covers up to £200, with exceptions on certain items. Check your policy for more information.
Here are some tips to deter and prevent thieves from stealing from your car or its contents:
- Install or set your car alarm.
- Remove everything from your car at night.
- Hide your tech, valuables, cash, cards, or coins if you’re stopping off.
- Park your car where it can be seen.
- Park under a streetlight if it’s dark.
- Don’t leave any luggage in view when your car’s left alone or remove it if possible.
- Kid’s devices – they’re excellent for curing boredom on long journeys, but don’t leave them in the car.
- Always close your windows when you’re not in the car - even if it’s a hot day.
- Never leave keys in the car when you’re not in the car yourself.
- Never leave your car unlocked and unattended – even just for a few seconds.
We’ve all been there: It’s the middle of the night and you hear a car alarm going off. Your first thought is “that annoying sound has ruined my sleep”, closely followed by “oh no, please don’t let it be my car!”.
Other than an attempted break-in, car alarms can be triggered by a whole host of other reasons, such as:
- Low Battery - If you car battery is low, it may not send the right voltage to your alarm system which can set it off.
- Faulty parts - Your car may have sensors dedicated to detecting someone trying to steal your car, but when they become faulty or too sensitive, that may lead to your alarm going off for no reason.
Alternatively, if the alarm isn't installed properly, or one of it's parts is faulty, you could experience your alarm going off at random.
You’ll find the answer to this in the owner’s manual, which is probably buried in your glovebox somewhere! You could also look for a light on the dashboard, which flashes to show the alarm system is armed. If you’re not sure, you can ask your mechanic who could tell you during your next service or MOT.
You’ll need to check your manual, as all car makes and models can be different, but if you don’t have it to hand, try using your key to lock or unlock your car.
Call 101 and report it to the police. They’ll ask you for:
- Your vehicle registration number.
- The colour, make and model of the car.
- Any details about the theft.
- You’ll then get a crime reference number which you’ll need to give to your insurer when you make a claim.
Next, call your insurer to make your claim:
- You’ll need to give your insurer the crime reference number you got when you called the police.
- Your insurer will let the DVLA know that your car has been stolen, so no activity relating to the car is attributed to you while it’s out of your hands.
- If your car isn’t recovered, you’ll need to let the DVLA know that you no longer own the car. They’ll usually then refund you any remaining vehicle tax.
It depends on the level of car insurance you have, but you can check this in your policy documents. Third-party insurance is the minimum requirement for car insurance in the UK and won’t cover you if your car gets stolen. Third party, fire and theft cover or comprehensive cover will cover you for a stolen vehicle.
Keyless car theft
Cars with ‘keyless’ entry use a signal from the key fob to unlock your car as long as the fob is close enough. So, no more putting a key in a lock or pressing a key to open the car, you just need to know the keys are somewhere on your person and you’re good to go! But could thieves be using this to their advantage?
Thieves use signal relay devices to 'trick' your car into thinking the correct key is nearby. They amplify the existing signal between your key and your car to gain access, and with just a push of a button, they're off. While these methods might seem easy for thieves, there are several steps you can take to protect your car from theft…
How to stop keyless car theft
- Keep your key fob stored away: Keeping your key fob away from doors and windows makes it harder for thieves to amplify the signal. Plus, it stops them from grabbing your keys through the letterbox. Find a safe spot, like a kitchen drawer, to store your keys and don’t forget about your spares.
- Invest in a Faraday pouch: A Faraday pouch is an effective way to stop thieves from amplifying your key’s signal. It’s lined with a special fabric that blocks your car key’s signals from escaping once it’s inside. Keeping your keys in one of these will help protect your car from theft.
- Tried and tested methods: Don't dismiss old-fashioned car security just yet. A good steering wheel lock can be a great way to stop thieves in their tracks.
- Fit a tracking device: There are loads of options out there for all types of vehicles, but fitting a good tracking device can make it easy to locate your car if it's stolen.
How to double lock your car
Did you know there's more than one way to lock your car? Double locking is a clever feature that stops your car from being opened from both the outside and the inside.
Most modern cars have a double locking feature, but they're often not activated by default because rules about double locking vary in different countries. This means most car manufacturers have standardised their tech to single lock on the first press of the key fob.
To make sure you know how to double lock your car, it’s best to check the user manual, but as a general rule of thumb, here’s how you do it:
Most modern cars have a double locking feature, but they're often not activated by default because rules about double locking vary in different countries. This means most car manufacturers have standardised their tech to single lock on the first press of the key fob.
To make sure you know how to double lock your car, it’s best to check the user manual, but as a general rule of thumb, here’s how you do it:
- Stand close to your car.
- Press the "lock" button on your key fob twice.
- Look for the lights and/or indicators to flash.
- Your car is now deadlocked!
If you have keyless car entry as a feature on your car, it’s still worth using the physical key fob to double lock your car when you get out.
"It’s vital you keep your car secure at all times. Don’t be tempted to leave it running while it defrosts in winter or you wait for the air-con to kick in on a hot day. Even if you’re only away for a minute or two, that’s all an opportunist thief needs. Worse still, if the car’s left unattended with the keys in the ignition or the engine running, your insurance won’t be valid and your claim will be rejected."
Murad Rangoon – Motor Underwriter
.jpeg)
.jpg)
