Car theft is a big problem, but there are ways you can protect yourself against car thieves. Car burglars rely on your sense of security. You may feel protected living in a nice area or gated community, but that false sense of security can lead to mistakes that leave you vulnerable to care theft. The best thing for car owners to do is to stow valuables out of sight to fight the new way criminals are breaking into cars, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).

Today’s car thieves are much more sophisticated. Criminals look to “scanner boxes” to pop factory-made electronic locks in seconds, according to the NICB. The new devices use technology for keyless car entry, used by car owners to gain one-click access to their cars or prevent getting locked out. “Our law enforcement partners tell us they are seeing this type of criminal activity and have recovered some of the illegal devices,” said Joe Wehrle, NICB’s president. “Unfortunately, some of these devices are available on the internet.”

In 2015, this technology was linked to car burglaries in Long Beach, California according to a report in USA Today.

The NICB does have some tips for drivers. According to the insurance crime bureau, drivers should do the following to prevent/protect themselves against car thieves:

Lock your vehicle no matter where you park it.

Car thieves bank on your sense of security, so they target affluent areas where drivers are more likely to leave car doors unlocked, leave keys hidden in the vehicle, and carry more valuables. Whether you’re parking your car in your garage, or in the mall parking lot, lock your vehicle to help avoid theft.

Close windows and sun roofs.

Don’t forget to roll your windows completely up, and close sun roofs to prevent easy access into your vehicle. Leaving your window open even a crack, can help a car thief gain access to your car and what’s inside. Check all your windows and sun roof before walking away from your car.

Hide your valuables.

Most drivers know to hide cell phones and sun glasses out of site from potential thieves, but it’s important to keep navigation systems, phone adaptors and power plugs out of site as well.

Conceal shopping bags, and take your items inside.

While it’s completely unsettling to think about, car thieves will often watch potential victims, to spot the best time to strike. Keep your shopping bags in your trunk during shopping trips, but bring all items inside at the end of the night. During the holidays, thieves expect car owners to be carrying around valuable cargo. Bring your shopping bags inside after shopping trips, to prevent theft.

Comprehensive coverage will protect you if your car is stolen, or if permanent parts of your vehicle like windows or locks are stolen. Comprehensive auto insurance coverage does not cover other items like purses and wallets. You’ll need homeowner’s insurance, or renters or condo insurance coverage to cover those types of losses. Compare homeowner’s insurance quotes on Insurance Best Prices now to protect yourself and your items from car thieves.