So You Just Bought a Luxury Car — How Do You Protect It?

Getting behind the wheel of a luxury car is an incomparable experience, regardless of the make and model you choose. Unfortunately, owning one can also make you a target because of the vehicle’s value. Here are some things to do to keep your new toy safe.

Opt for Luxury Insurance

Contrary to popular belief, taking a trip to your local car insurance office isn’t going to be enough to protect your luxury car. Instead of cutting corners and potentially putting your investment at risk, make sure to invest in a luxury insurance policy.

These vehicles are already more expensive than your average daily driver. This means the cost to repair or replace them will also be higher. A standard policy might not cover enough to get your car back on the road after an accident or theft. 

Park It Indoors

The worst thing you can do with a luxury car is park it in your driveway or on the street. You’re putting yourself in harm’s way and making it a lot easier for thieves to make off with your vehicle. If you have an attached garage, clean it out and turn it into the perfect storage space for your car when you’re not behind the wheel.

This can also give you a convenient place to work on it, making it easier to keep up with your maintenance without running afoul of your homeowner’s association or local code enforcement office. 

Invest in Climate Control

One downside of parking your attached garage is that most aren’t designed to be climate-controlled. Unless you make a specific request during the construction stage, most garages aren’t insulated or connected to the home’s HVAC system.

This means you might be protected from rain and thieves, but your car may still experience humidity or extreme temperatures. Take the necessary steps to control the climate in your garage if you plan to use it for storage. 

Add a Security Gate

Keeping a luxury car in your garage can help protect it, but it shouldn’t be your only line of defense. Add a security gate to the end of your driveway, especially if your home is already fenced.

If you don’t have an attached garage or are parking in a carport, a security gate can help deter intruders that might otherwise help themselves to your vehicle. Security gates can also improve your home’s curb appeal and let you put your own stamp on the property’s aesthetic.

Don’t Skip Your Maintenance

Protecting your new car isn’t just about keeping thieves and carjackers away from your investment. Even luxury vehicles have a recommended maintenance schedule. Neglecting that upkeep may not take your car off the road as quickly as a thief, but it will be infinitely more expensive to get it running again.

Theft, rodent damage and acts of God are often covered by insurance. Damage caused by neglect isn’t, so you’ll be responsible for all the repair costs. Stick to the manufacturer-recommended schedule. 

Add a Good Coat of Wax

Detailing your luxury car is another form of protection you shouldn’t neglect. Even if you choose your parking spots carefully, there are always rocks kicked up by car tires or kids who open the doors of neighboring cars a little too enthusiastically. You can’t always prevent things from scratching your paint or dinging your fenders. But you can take steps to reduce the amount of damage these impacts cause. 

A full detail with a good coat of wax can go a long way toward protecting your paint. You can even go one step further and have a professional ceramic coating applied if you live in an area that sees a lot of road debris.

Drive Safely

Sometimes, the best thing you can do to protect your luxury car is to be careful about how you drive. Practice some defensive driving skills, don’t speed and be mindful of the other drivers on the road with you. It’s not a foolproof method to prevent collisions, but it can reduce your chances of being in an accident that could total your investment. 

Protect Your Investment

Owning a luxury car is something of a rite of passage for automotive enthusiasts. It’s important to take all the necessary steps to protect that investment. Something as simple as kitting out your garage with climate control or adding a security gate to the end of your driveway can go a long way toward keeping your new luxury car out of thieving hands.

Other steps, like getting the vehicle detailed and following the recommended maintenance schedule, can also help keep your new luxury car running smoothly for years to come.