It takes seconds to steal most vehicles successfully so learn about state-of-the-art devices that can help prevent your car from getting stolen.
The FBI reports that a car is stolen every 23 seconds on average. It
takes less than a minute to steal most vehicles successfully, and car
thieves are getting increasingly sophisticated with their methods. As car technology advances, the technology to steal it also advances. Traditional car alarms
are not overly effective anymore because people are so used to hearing
them go off accidentally that the general public doesn’t even look over
at a car with an alarm activating anymore. However, tracking systems,
passive immobilizers, and personal alarm pagers all offer high-tech
alternatives or add-ons to the traditional alarm that make your car much
harder to steal and easier to recover.
Passive Immobilizer
The passive immobilizer system features an ignition key that has a
microchip in it. The ignition requires that chip to turn itself on.
Without the ignition key, it is therefore very difficult for a car thief
to steal your vehicle. The system is becoming more common in recent
years, and it has been proven to reduce theft rates. However, the system
can add to the overall cost of a car. On the other hand, you can get a
break in your car insurance rates thanks to the presence of an
anti-theft device.
The biggest drawback to a passive immobilizer is the fact that you
need to go to a dealer to get extra or replacement keys, and they are
much more expensive than getting a normal key copy made. The extra
security comes with some inconvenience, but it’s an overall small price
to pay if it helps ensure your car will still be there every time you
come back to it.
Personal Alarm Pagers
Personal alarm pagers work similarly to a car alarm, minus the actual
“alarm” part. Instead of activating a siren when the system thinks
someone is breaking in, it sends an alert directly to your cell phone so
you can check the vehicle or notify the police department. This is
useful because you don’t have to be in “hearing range” to learn that
your car alarm has activated. Check the specific model though, because
some of them still require you to be within a few blocks of the car for
the system to work. Others come with an alarm as well to try to startle a
potential thief away. It typically costs several hundred dollars to get
a personal alarm pager installed, so check with your auto insurance
provider to see if any rate decreases are available as a result that
would help offset the cost.
Tracking Systems
Tracking systems have become more common in vehicles as the technology has decreased in cost. Systems such as Lo/Jack and OnStar
have GPS-based equipment in the car that allows the respective
companies to track its location in the event of a theft. Not only does
this aid in the recovery of a stolen vehicle, but it also works as a
deterrent because thieves are less likely to target vehicles they know
have tracking systems installed in them. Some even come with collision
detection that notifies the company in the event of an accident in case
you need emergency services. The systems are still usually more
expensive than their other anti-theft counterparts, but not as much as
they used to be. Likewise, you’ll likely be eligible for a discount on
your auto insurance.
While high-tech equipment can help prevent your car from getting stolen or broken into, there is no replacement for safe habits and prevention.
Remembering to always lock your doors, keeping your windows closed and
parking in well-lit or secured places help form the first line of defense
against car theft. As you add more advanced theft protection to your
vehicle, it is important to never forget the basics in the process.
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