How can I protect my car from being stolen?
Here are more of Confused.com’s top tips to help protect your car from being stolen:
• Lock your vehicle – it sounds obvious but double checking that your car is locked could save you time and money. Also, your car insurance policy may not pay out if your car was left unlocked when it was stolen.
• Invest in multiple layers of security – having a steering wheel lock or handbrake lock helps to secure your car and act as a visual deterrent for thieves.
• If you have keyless entry software, invest in a Faraday pouch to help protect your car against keyless hackers.
• Park somewhere secure. If you don’t have secure parking, aim for a well-lit street.
For more ways to secure your car, and for answers to more common car security questions, take a look at our guide on protecting your car from theft.

Keep your paperwork at home

Never keep your car paperwork inside the car.
Always store the logbook and your car service records safe at home.
The most important document is the logbook, or V5C, which is your car’s registration document.
Although VED car tax and driving licences are now digitised, the British logbook, a paper-based hanger-on, has held out.
If your car is stolen with the V5C inside it, you must tell the police and your insurer immediately.
You should also get a crime reference number.
And if you’re buying a car, make sure the logbook has a ‘DVLA’ watermark and that its serial number isn’t:
Between BG8229501 and BG9999030
Between BI2305501 and BI2800000
If it is, the V5C might be stolen.

Watch out for catalytic converter theft
A catalytic converter is part of a vehicle exhaust and filters out harmful engine emissions. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) warns that catalytic convertor theft it’s a growing problem.
“They have become targets for thieves because of the high value of the metals they contain, rhodium and palladium,” the ABI warns.
“Rhodium currently sells for just over £10,000 an ounce; palladium for just over £2,000 an ounce.
“Thieves crawl under vehicles, sometimes sawing off the converters so causing more damage.
“The repair bill can typically range from £2,000 to £3,000.”