How to Safely Hide Valuables in Your Car

We’ve all seen those warning signs advising us not to leave valuables in our cars. Yet, there are times when carrying them with you seems riskier—whether you’re heading to the beach, riding attractions at a theme park, or hiking through the wilderness.

Sometimes, you may forget items are in your car before heading out, or perhaps your journey requires you to keep certain belongings in the vehicle. Whatever the reason, there will likely come a time when you need to securely hide valuables in your car to reduce the risk of theft.

Hiding items is crucial to keeping them out of sight from anyone outside the vehicle. Ideally, you’ve already locked the doors and rolled up the windows to prevent easy access. Leaving valuables in plain view significantly increases the chances of someone breaking in or smashing a window to seize an opportunity.

Additionally, opportunistic thieves might break into a car simply hoping to find something of value. In such cases, it’s essential to avoid leaving items in obvious spots like the glove box or under the seats. Taking these precautions can help minimize risk and keep your belongings safe.

Glove Box Treasure

If the glove box or under the seat doesn’t work as a secure hiding spot in your car, what other options are there?

A lockable glove box can be a useful choice, but keep in mind that a locked compartment might signal to thieves that something valuable is inside—after all, why else would it be locked?

Most vehicle break-ins are quick and opportunistic. Thieves are unlikely to spend time searching every corner of your car. Instead, they'll target the most obvious hiding spots first, so it's wise to think beyond the usual places.

Secret Compartments

Cars often come with surprising hiding spots, some of which you may not even be aware of. A good first step is to check your owner’s manual—it might reveal hidden compartments built into your vehicle. You’d be surprised by the clever places valuables can be stored.

Common hiding spots include the seat crevices, between the seat cushion and seatback, in the spare tyre compartment, or even under floor mats. Small items can also fit inside empty drink containers for added discretion.

For those looking to get creative, here are some ingenious DIY hiding spots that can outsmart even the savviest of thieves:

• Towel Pockets: Use a Towelmate with a built-in pocket or sew your own hidden compartment into a towel. Clothing with concealed pockets works just as well.
• Tennis Ball Hack: Cut a small slit into a tennis ball to store tiny items. The cut is nearly invisible unless the ball is squeezed.
• Toiletry Containers: Sanitary product boxes or tissue boxes are often ignored by thieves. You can also use the bottom of a tissue box or a tampon box to discreetly stash valuables.
• Everyday Containers: Empty containers, like sunscreen bottles with removable tops, make for excellent hiding places—perfect for use at the beach. Small items, like a phone, can also be placed inside cleaned-out containers that don’t look suspicious.
• Cardboard Trick: Create a fake top for a cardboard box, making it appear full of trash or newspapers. Store your valuables underneath the hidden layer.
• Hollow Books or Fake Manuals: A hollowed-out book or a fake vehicle owner’s manual can keep items safely out of sight.

When using any container for storage, make sure it’s clean before placing your belongings inside. Alternatively, put your valuables in a ziplock bag for added protection.

If you need to hide your car key on the vehicle itself, invest in a secure key storage box, such as a surf lock. These boxes can be securely attached to the car’s exterior, often to a wheel or other fixed point, and use a combination lock to keep your key safe.

However, be cautious when using such devices with key fobs. Some fobs automatically unlock the car when they’re near the vehicle, so double-check that your car stays locked when storing the fob in one of these boxes.

With a little creativity and preparation, you can ensure your valuables stay safe and well-hidden, no matter where you park.

If you need to store valuables in your car, always conceal them before arriving at your destination. Hiding items after parking increases the risk of someone noticing where you’ve placed them.

While there’s no way to guarantee your vehicle won’t be targeted, following these simple steps can reduce the chances of theft. Always lock your car, be mindful of where you store items, and take proactive measures to avoid drawing attention. These precautions can help protect your belongings and give you greater peace of mind.