Protect your car: insurance, anti-theft and maintenance checklist

The humble motorcar has travelled a long way in a short time and many of us would struggle without the help of our loyal four-wheeled friends. It's only natural, then, to look after your vehicle to prevent any unexpected malfunctions, incidents or accidents. You can start right now by taking a peek at this handy anti-theft, safety and car insurance checklist.

Have your wits about you

As you might have noticed, the roads and highways are extremely busy these days, so watching your speed, driving cautiously and making allowances for other drivers are three factors that will go a long way to keeping your car out of trouble.

Speeding is major cause of accidents, don’t be tempted to step too heavily on the gas, even if you’re running late. Heavy, late braking is also bad news and will wear down your tyres and brake pads in no time - increasing your chances of having an accident. Obstacles abound and seemingly appear out of nowhere - so beware the plethora of potholes, speed ramps, chicanes and high kerb stones, all of which can cause major damage to your car if you’re not concentrating.

Parking prangs

Finding a place to park your car can be quite a chore and there’s a tendency to try and squeeze into the convenient spaces barely big enough for a bumper car. Even if you skilfully manage to wedge your car into a tiny gap, the other drivers might not be so adept when it’s time for them to leave the scene - meaning your car might look a little different when you return. This is also true in big retail car parks where hurried drivers and reckless trolley pushers might put a big dent in your pride and joy and make a sharp exit without owning up.

So try parking a little out of the way where there is much more room. It’s also nice to stretch the legs and walk back to a dent-free car.

Hard to steal

Being a victim of theft is an unpleasant experience, to say the least, so take all necessary measures to protect your car and valuables.

Choosing where you park your car overnight can make a big difference with security (and your car insurance premium), so if you have access to a garage, driveway or private car park, use it. If you park on a public road, then choose a place that is well lit and can easily be seen from your property.

Don’t leave any belongings on display inside the car, including CDs or items of clothing. Opportunists won’t think twice about smashing a window and grabbing what they can, especially if there’s nobody about, and even if your coat’s not their style, they might be tempted to see what’s in the pockets.

If your vehicle has a factory-fitted alarm and immobilizer then you should advertise it with an anti-theft sticker on your window. For vehicles of high value, invest in some quality precautionary measures like an upgraded car alarm and a tracking device.

Maintenance

The inner workings of your car might seem like a mystery to you, but you don’t need to be a qualified mechanic to keep a regular check on the basics.

Remember to check things like oil, coolant, windscreen washing fluid and tyre pressure on a regular basis. Consult your car’s manual for details and recommendations. If you keep a close eye on the essentials, you’re less likely to have major issues that involve a trip to the garage - and your car will run more efficiently and economically.

Cover for your car

One of the best ways to protect your car is to choose an car insurance policy that will give you all the cover you need - and don’t forget, the fewer accidents you have and the more secure your car is, the cheaper your premium will be.


This post is a guest post brought to you in conjunction with the Sainsbury's Bank Family Blogger Network.