Car and commercial truck dealerships spend far too much on their inventory to disregard security issues. Theft and vandalism are very real threats faced by any auto dealership, and the financial toll can be considerable. In 2016, the Uniform Crime Reporting Program of the FBI listed the theft of nearly 800,000 vehicles. This figure represents a 15% increase from the previous year.
One could argue that these numbers are considerably lower than the recorded vehicular thefts in 2007. Even so, any theft affects dealerships’ investments and, ultimately, their bottom lines.
Although truck dealership insurance can ease some of your client’s concerns, preventing these incidents from occurring in the first place is always the preferable option. Here are some helpful tips on how to improve security in a truck dealership:
Install security lights
Thieves and vandals are more likely to target car lots with dark or poorly-lit areas. Your clients can improve security by keeping the premises well-lit at night.
Install CCTV cameras
CCTV cameras are essential for security, but they can also be useful for recording evidence of a crime. If your client must make an insurance claim or file a police report, the video captured by a camera could be crucial.
Install vehicular security systems
All vehicles should have security systems and mechanisms installed if possible. These include wheel locks, GPS, and immobilization systems. If it isn’t feasible to have these on all vehicles, your clients should install them on high-value items.
Store high-value vehicles indoors
Rare and high-value vehicles should be stored indoors as much as possible. If your client has no choice but to take them out onto the lot during the day, they should at least be stored inside at night.
Keep track of car and truck keys
Not all thefts and break-ins result from picked locks. A good number of incidents can be attributed to carelessness with keys. These should be always kept securely, preferably away from the vehicle.
Implement a system for signing out vehicles
Truck dealerships will benefit from having a definitive system for signing out vehicles. It’s a good idea to assign the authority to take out cars to only one or two employees and keep a log of all sign-outs.
Keep dealer plates locked away
Many thefts occur because the dealer plates are still installed on the vehicle. It would be best to keep these locked away to prevent car thieves from using them.
Make vehicles more difficult to tow away
There’s no reason to make it easy for thieves to steal cars by towing them away. Always leave the e-brakes on as standard practice and direct employees to leave the vehicles with the tires turned at an angle to make it more difficult to tow them.
Keep wholesale and trade vehicles in a secure area
Wholesale and trade vehicles are tempting for would-be car thieves because they are often parked at the rear section of the car lot. You might want to advise your clients to keep them in a more secure location with limited access.
Change locks and passwords regularly
It should be standard practice to change locks regularly, especially when someone that previously had access to them is terminated. It would also be a good idea to change passwords periodically.
Implement a more efficient system for managing inventory
Efficient inventory management is crucial to preventing theft and determining when something is amiss. An inventory management system allows dealership owners to compare the trucks on the premises to those listed in the database.
Consider augmenting your security personnel
If your client owns a fairly sizable lot, advise them to hire additional security personnel. This makes it easier to monitor the entire facility and reduces the risk of break-ins and theft.
Security issues at a truck dealership are best addressed before theft and vandalism occur. Any incidents affecting customers’ vehicles or a previous agreement between the dealership and the customer can ruin the business’s reputation.
The good news is that many of the suggestions outlined above are relatively inexpensive or even free to implement. In most cases, they require only minimal changes to your client’s current systems and procedures.
Your clients need to keep in mind that ensuring security is a collaborative effort that requires the cooperation of everyone in the firm. By getting everyone involved in tightening up security, your clients will have a much better chance of preventing unwanted incidents from occurring.
About K2 Insurance Services
Your used auto dealership clients will benefit considerably from the risk protection that K2 provides. Apart from the full range of insurance coverages, K2 also offers an ACH payment system that bills your clients directly. Call us today at (866) 429-1638 to find out how you can partner with the leading name in auto dealership insurance.
