8 ways to help you steer clear of dealership theft.

1.

Light It Up: Well-lit areas are often less attractive to thieves—as you can imagine, it’s easier to get away with criminal activity under the cover of darkness. Advancements in LED lighting technology have made it possible to keep your utility bill low while maintaining a high level of visibility, even after hours.

2.

Lock It Down: Fencing and gates are a good first line of defense from vehicles disappearing off your lot. You can include your overflow and service lots in your overall inventory protection plan. It’s best practice to store high-value vehicles indoors or in a secured lot with restricted access. If parked outdoors, surround your best rides with cars of lesser value, creating a physical barrier. Last but not least, park vehicles sideways with emergency brakes engaged and wheels turned to block exits.

3.

Cover Your Assets: You likely have a robust insurance policy that helps protect your dealer-owned inventory. But what about customers’ vehicles left overnight for service and safekeeping? Ally’s Garage package includes coverage for any vehicle left in your custody. Theft of these vehicles is especially prevalent — taking stringent security measures on your service lot can help you protect every car under your care.

4.

Make Friends: Neighboring dealerships and businesses can be valuable allies in keeping an eye out for suspicious activity. A strong community network can allow you to share best practices, security concerns and even potential costs of enhanced security measures.

5.

Vet Your Team: An inside contact can make all the difference. To help ensure your staff and any contractors are trustworthy, it’s a good idea to conduct thorough background checks on all employees, especially those with access to keys and sensitive areas of the dealership. Pre-hire screening tests are more affordable than ever before and can provide valuable insight into a potential hire’s ethics and integrity.

6.

Get Smart (Devices): With relay devices and keyless ignition hacks, thieves have gotten smarter and more digitally advanced. To outwit them, there are items on the market that can help. The latest GPS trackers can pinpoint a vehicle’s location and immobilize it once reported stolen. Hidden kill switches will cut electricity to the ignition, while recovery systems deploy radio signals to local law enforcement so that they can stop carjackers in their tracks.

7.

Upgrade Security: Strategic surveillance and a robust alarm system are a strong defense against crime. Some best practices are covering entry points, parking lots, and vulnerable areas with interactive video monitoring that relays to a remote security provider. Then, check them regularly to catch blindspots and ensure continuous reporting. Visible cameras and alarms act as a deterrent, while also providing evidence in case of theft.

8.

Manage & Mandate: It is suggested to keep detailed records of your dealer-owned inventory, including VIN numbers, makes, model, and serial numbers, as well as inventory in your service department. Then, update it frequently. Train staff on secure key handling, and keep keys locked down after business hours.