How to Make Your Van Secure
A van is an asset that is worth having, usually carrying expensive tools and equipment. Making your van secure should be a top priority, and there are many ways to stop thieves from entering your van and keep your tools safe.
Slamlocks lock doors as soon as you close them, which can be useful for couriers that make small drops or are susceptible to forgetting to lock the van. Other improvements include security stickers covering windows or tinting them and installing a lockable tool vault.
Security locks
With the increasing number of vans utilized as a means of transport as well as storage space mobile, it is vital to protect their contents against theft. The right van security measures will deter criminals while also protecting your belongings. This will allow you to travel in peace.
Door locks are the primary line of defence, securing the van's doors and preventing unauthorized access. Locks that are standard, usually installed by the manufacturer, provide the most basic protection but can be easily bypassed by a determined thief. Upgrade to advanced security locks that resist cutting, drilling, or picking. This is a good investment for peace of mind.
When selecting a vanlock, you must consider the material, build quality and if it is certified by Thatcham. This designation ensures the lock is of high-quality which makes it harder to compromise or break. The slamlock is another important consideration. It locks automatically the doors of the loading area when it closes and requires a special key to unlock. This is ideal for couriers who may forget to lock up their vans during deliveries. Another option is the hook lock which provides additional security to the side and rear doors and helps prevent 'peel and steal' attacks.
It is essential to regularly clean and lubricate your van locks to ensure their function and the strength of the mechanism. This helps prevent corrosion and rust and ensures smooth operation. Regular inspections allow you to identify any signs of wear or damage and fix these issues promptly, thus making sure that security vulnerabilities are not uncovered.
Installing the right security system will save you money on van insurance. Many insurance companies are aware of strong security solutions, offering favourable terms and additional coverage options in return.
Slamlocks
One of the most effective ways to deter thieves is by strengthening your van's locks. By installing slam locks or high-strength locks your van's doors will be more secure and difficult to break into. This is especially important if you intend to use your van to transport expensive tools or valuable cargo.
The lock is activated automatically once your door is shut. You don't need to press any keys to activate the mechanism. This means it's less likely to be stolen and is ideal for couriers and tradespeople who are constantly in and out of their van all day and may not remember to lock it after each trip. It also helps in battling opportunistic thieves who simply open the lock on your vehicle and steal whatever they can get, which includes the tools that you need for your work.
There are many different types of slamlocks available. Some offer extra security features like anti drill and anti pick technology, or a steelplate that blocks drilling. Others are suitable for a specific application like multidrop drivers, or those that transport a lot of valuable goods.
If you're looking for more security than a locks that slam can provide, there are options like deadlocks. They function independently of the locking mechanism used by the manufacturer and can only be opened with a key that is supplied that is fully controlled by the driver. You can also invest in a hook lock that works similarly, however, it provides extra security by using a deadlocking hook bolt that is inserted into the opposite body section and is operated with the supplied key under full control of the driver.
Dashboard cameras
Include a dash camera into your van if you want it to be more secure and secure. These cameras can aid you in avoiding collisions and accidents while driving. They are also useful in showing your innocence in the event of an accident or traffic offense. They convert incoming light into electrical signals, and then convert those signals into digital data. These can be powered either via the battery of your vehicle or by an cigarette-lighter.
A majority of the dashboard cameras that are available have SD cards or flash drives for saving recordings. These devices overwrite old footage in order to make room for new recordings. However, they can be upgraded to accept larger memory cards if additional video data is needed. Some dashboard cameras also come with cloud storage capabilities, which eliminate the requirement for memory cards. These kinds of dashboard cameras connect to the Wi-Fi or smartphone network and upload their data at various intervals.
Wireless or hard-wired cameras are also worth considering. Hard-wired models are less susceptible to interference from cell networks or other sources. They are also more durable, and some models are able to withstand weather.
Some vans come with dual dash cameras that can record video from both the front and back of the vehicle. This can be useful when reversing into tight spaces or when you're in a parking space. Some cameras come with night vision, which can enhance the images in low light conditions and improve visibility. Many van owners add this feature to their system. Some dashboard cams can be remotely monitored, which is an enormous benefit for van owners who spend long periods of time away from their vehicles.
Alarms
Van life is becoming increasingly popular among those who love to travel and explore - but it's not without risks. People who live in vehicles are often at risk of theft. Thieves may take aim at the vehicle and its contents. There are a variety of ways to secure your van and its cargo but one of the best is to install an alarm system. Alarm systems can be linked to your keypad, so that you receive alerts in the event of a burglary. These systems can also lower the cost of insurance. This can save you thousands of dollars over the life of your vehicle.
A good alarm system will have an alarm base station, keypads, and entry sensors that protect against door peal. Some even have a built in motion sensor that can detect movement inside your van and alert your phone. This can be a powerful deterrent for any potential thieves and could aid in identifying the criminal before they do.
Add deadlocks to your van's doors to make it more secure. These are locks that require a key to operate and are more difficult to break than regular locks. It is a good idea to get some that are equipped to operate with a smartphone app, so you can check the status of your van while away.
A majority of van alarms are fitted with an engine immobilizer which will disable the engine of your vehicle in the event that the wrong key is used to start it. This is a great precaution to consider, but it will not stop a thief who is determined from taking the entire engine. Better to have a low-power tracker which prevents the engine from starting, and will send you the exact location of your vehicle whenever it's being relocated.
Insurance
For a lot of businesses, their vans are vital resources, and protecting their contents is a top priority. Not only can a strong van security system give peace of mind, but it also helps reduce insurance costs since insurers take van owners' security measures into account when calculating premiums.
The make, model and year of your van will impact the cost of insurance as will your driving record. The area in which you live and work will also impact your rates as higher crime rates can result in higher rates. Insurance providers will also take the use of your van into click here consideration as commercial vehicles typically cost more to insure than personal ones.
If you're planning to make any major modifications to your van, it's important to consult with your insurer beforehand since this could have an impact on the price of your policy. Additionally, adding extras to your vehicle that aren't standard will increase your insurance. A Thatcham Category 2 -approved dash camera is an effective way to deter vandals, since they'll think twice before trying to gain entry into.
Another crucial aspect of van life is insurance that covers the equipment and tools you keep in your vehicle in the event that they are stolen. You can purchase comprehensive physical damage coverage along with roadside service plans that cover breakdowns as well as other emergencies.
It's important to keep in mind that the cheapest insurance policy doesn't necessarily mean the best. Compare the limits of coverage as well as deductibles and other benefits to find the right policy for you. In addition to comprehensive coverage, it's also important to consider gap insurance because it will pay for the difference between your car's actual cash value and any remaining amount on your loan if it's repaid in total.