Keyless car theft in the dark months: how to protect your car

Car Insurance11/13/2026
Keyless car theft: how to protect your car this winter | Rooster

Keyless entry is convenient: walk up to the car and it unlocks, press a button and it starts. But the same technology can be exploited by thieves, often in under a minute and without breaking a window. Long winter nights give them more hours of darkness to work in.

This guide explains how keyless theft works, the cheap and simple ways to protect your car and what your insurer will expect if the worst happens.

Last updated 9 November 2026.

Key takeaways

  • In a relay attack, thieves use devices to pick up the signal from your key fob inside your house and relay it to your car.
  • Keeping keys in a signal-blocking (Faraday) pouch or metal box is one of the simplest protections.
  • Keep keys away from your front door and windows, and switch off keyless entry if your car lets you.
  • A visible steering lock and parking in a garage or well-lit spot deter thieves.
  • Comprehensive and third party, fire and theft policies cover theft, but claims can be refused if you left the car unlocked or the keys in it.

In this guide

How keyless car theft works

A keyless car looks for a signal from its key fob when someone touches the door handle or presses the start button. If the fob is close enough, the car unlocks and starts.

In a relay attack, thieves usually work in pairs. One stands near your house with a device that picks up the signal from your key, which may be just inside the front door. The device relays the signal to a second device held by the other thief next to your car. The car thinks the key is nearby and unlocks.

Thieves also use devices that plug into the car’s diagnostic (OBD) port to program a new key, or electronic tools that exploit weaknesses in some models.

Why winter is a higher-risk time

Dark evenings and mornings mean more hours when thieves can work unseen, and fewer people are out on the streets. Cars left running to defrost on a cold morning are another easy target. See our guide on leaving your car running to defrost.

How to protect your car

No single step makes a car theft-proof, but layering a few makes it a much less attractive target.

  • Use a signal-blocking pouch or box. A Faraday pouch or metal tin blocks the key’s signal. Test it by standing next to the car with the key inside and trying the door.
  • Keep keys away from doors and windows. The further from the car, the harder a relay attack is.
  • Turn off keyless entry if your car allows it in the settings, or check whether the fob has a sleep mode (often activated by a button sequence; see your handbook).
  • Use a steering wheel lock. A visible lock is a strong deterrent, and it takes time to remove.
  • Fit an OBD port lock if your car is a high-risk model.
  • Park smart. Use a garage if you have one, or park in a well-lit spot or covered by a camera.
  • Consider a tracker. It will not stop a theft, but it improves the chance of getting the car back. Some insurers offer discounts for approved trackers.
  • Keep software up to date. Some manufacturers release updates that improve keyless security.
  • Never leave keys in the car, even for a minute.

What insurance covers if your car is stolen

Theft is covered under comprehensive and third party, fire and theft policies. Third party only policies do not cover theft of your car.

Insurers can refuse a claim if:

  • the keys were left in or on the car
  • the car was left unlocked or with windows or a sunroof open
  • the engine was running and the car unattended
  • you did not use security devices that were a condition of your policy

Check your policy wording for theft conditions, and tell your insurer about any security devices you fit.

What to do if your car is stolen

  1. Check it has not been towed by contacting the local council or police.
  2. Report it to the police on 101 (or 999 if the theft is happening) and get a crime reference number.
  3. Call your insurer as soon as possible.
  4. Tell your finance company if the car is on finance.
  5. Tell the DVLA once your insurer has settled the claim.

Our guide to what happens if your car is stolen covers the process in full. If your keys were stolen too, see replacing lost or stolen car keys.

Frequently asked questions

Do Faraday pouches really work?

A good-quality pouch or box blocks the key signal. Cheap ones can wear out, so test yours regularly by trying to open the car with the key inside the pouch.

Are some cars more at risk than others?

Yes. Thieves target popular models and those with known security weaknesses. Your insurer’s premium for a model partly reflects its theft risk.

Will a steering lock reduce my insurance?

It may not lower your premium, but it can make your car less attractive to thieves. Approved trackers and immobilisers are more likely to affect your price.

Sources and further reading