Flying may seem like the easiest and fastest way to travel, but there is a certain kind of fun only a four-wheeled machine can give. For example, using a car on an expedition has many perks as you can put your cars to almost every use imaginable: a place to eat your meals, keep your luggage, take shelter from the elements and even pass the night – depending on how far away your destination is. There are however certain risks involved in road trips and you will want to take some precautions to protect yourself, the car as well as the things inside it. Jovago.com, Africa's No. 1 online hotel booking site shares 5 helpful tips.
Hide your valuables. While it is not advisable to travel with large amounts of cash and other treasured items, when you unavoidably have to, ensure that you do not leave those materials in full view of the public. Ensure that your car is set in such a way that anyone who decides to take a look through the window, does not see anything tempting.
Avoid suggestive stickers. Unless the sticker is required by the national registry, official or indicates the possession of an alarm system, do not paste it on your car. Certain stickers suggest affluence and make you an easy mark for car thieves and maybe even kidnappers. Avoid stickers that tell what university you went to, what club you are a member of or what family you belong to.
Keep your car neat. A vehicle filled with clothes scattered around the seats suggests that the owner is careless and thus an easy target. Also, leaving wires hanging from charging ports can indicate that you may have expensive gadgets such as cameras, phones and IPad tucked away in a quiet corner and this is why a neat car is less likely to get robbed as the potential thief sees nothing but car upholstery with nothing to really stir their interest.
Always lock your windows and doors. Newer models of vehicles may be harder to rob but the challenge is with many people remembering to keep the door lock on! No matter how in hurry you are or how brief the stop, it helps to clamp the doors and windows, as leaving them open can be a green light for a mischievous person.
Make sure the alarm is working. Most people do not install alarms on their vehicles as they consider it old-fashioned or excessive. However, the system comes in very handy as it calls for attention when a stranger is trying to get unauthorized access to your vehicle. Besides, most car thieves avoid cars with alarms.
Be careful on social media. Social media has a way of spicing up a road trip as you can keep friends, family and followers informed on your whereabouts, however it could be a risk. With the internet, you cannot really tell how far news can spread. Also there is a high chance that a follower might track you with the information you provide and set you up for an attack. If you must post updates of your trip, ensure they are only visible to your family and friends.
Get insured. Insuring your car might seem like a tedious process, but there are just so many different things that could go wrong, why take the risk? While the tips above might help to dissuade a thief, the risk of something going wrong is still high. An insurance will be your saving grace in that event.
Those are our top tips. What other things do you do to protect your car from robbers when you travel? Share them in the comments below. Also, don't forget to follow us on Instagram @jovagotravel, Facebook @Jovago or Tweet us @JovagoTravel.
