Five Car Anti-Theft Devices You Should Invest In
Over a million vehicles are stolen every year to use in criminal activities, scrap for parts or re-sell. While the police are able to locate some stolen vehicles, many more are never recovered. Having your vehicle stolen can be a major source of stress, and it’s expensive for insurance companies and car owners alike.
In order to prevent your vehicle from being stolen, you should consider installing one of the following theft devices. Not all cars come equipped with state-of-the-art theft protection devices, and you can increase your security tremendously by adding one of these. Your car insurance company will also reward you with a discount for making your car less attractive to thieves.
- The Club LX. You’re probably already familiar with The Club, a mechanical steering wheel lock that prevents the car from being driven while engaged. The company’s Club LX builds on this product by adding a laser encryption key and steel hooks, making this one of the best mechanical anti-theft devices available.
- Engine disabling devices. Many cars come equipped with a combination of audible alarm and engine immobilizer. If someone attempts to start the car without disengaging the alarm, the car will not start and an alarm will sound. If your car doesn’t come with an alarm of this kind, you can install an after-market equivalent.
- LoJack. There are many other types of vehicle tracking systems, but LoJack is the best known. Once you report a car as stolen, the police can activate your LoJack system to identify the vehicle’s location. If your car does not already come with a LoJack system, you can install one fairly inexpensively.
- OnStar takes the LoJack system and improves on it. Not only can police locate a stolen vehicle, they can also disable it from a distance. Vehicles with OnStar navigation programs are much easier to recover after a theft than cars without them. Indeed, many thieves won’t even bother breaking into a car with a navigation system because they are so easily tracked.
- Alarm stickers. Whether or not you have an alarm system, it’s a good idea to advertise to thieves that you do. Most car thieves are opportunists looking for an easy mark, and knowing that the car has a security system makes it less appealing. You can place stickers or lights in your car to alert thieves of your security system.
Many new cars are manufactured with anti-theft devices, which makes thieves more likely to target older-model cars. If your car doesn’t come with any anti-theft devices, it’s worth searching for something that you can install. Even something as simple as a mechanical device like The Club will help deter thieves and protect your vehicle. If you do install any sort of anti-theft device, be sure to inform your insurance company so that you can take advantage of any discounts you may now qualify for.
[Katie Eldridges lives and writes in London. She writes for www.carinsurance.org.uk where you can find more information on car insurance, trips, and tips for saving money when you drive.]
