Improving safety and security
he Co-operative Insurance work closely with the experts at Thatcham to improve car safety and security.

What else can I do?
You can take a number of simple steps to stay free from the cost, stress and inconvenience of vehicle crime:

* Take valuables with you. If you can’t, then place them out of view in the boot or in a lockable glove-box. Make sure all electronic goods are switched off.
* Always remove Sat Navs or other equipment from view and remove any cradle or suction marks that could give away the fact that they may be in the vehicle.
* Immobilise and alarm your vehicle every time you leave it unattended.
* When parking, watch for people loitering around cars, even if they are well dressed and don’t necessarily look like a ‘car thief’.
* When locking your car using your key fob, always check that the vehicle has actually locked before you leave it.
* Always park in a well-lit street or in a secure car park.
* At home, leave your vehicle overnight in a locked garage, if at all possible.
* Never leave your keys in the vehicle even for a moment, such as at petrol stations or to pop back into your house or office.
* Keep your keys out of view in a safe place. At home, place them in a drawer away from doors, windows or the letterbox.
* When leaving your vehicle, check all windows, sunroofs and doors are locked and use deadlocks, if fitted.
* Plan your journeys in advance to avoid stopping in unfamiliar areas.
* When driving, lock your doors and keep the windows closed.
* If your vehicle doesn’t have an alarm fitted as standard equipment, then have a Thatcham listed alarm professionally fitted to your vehicle by a VSIB accredited installer.
* Protect your expensive wheels and tyres by fitting Thatcham listed locking wheel nuts/bolts.
* When buying a new or used vehicle, always use the Thatcham Star Rating to check its security levels.