Top 8 Anti-Theft Devices to Protect Your Car
What if protecting your vehicle was easier than you thought?
Everybody tries to protect their automobile with good car insurance, and that coverage can help you out if your car is stolen. However, there are easy steps you can take to avoid such theft and keep from having to file a claim.
For example, there are multiple anti-theft devices for cars that you can install at any time. What are the best devices, and how do they help prevent car theft? Keep reading to discover everything you need to know.
Why Anti-Theft Devices Are Important
There are many reasons why anti-theft devices are important, including the fact that car theft is a major issue in cities around the world. If your vehicle is stolen, you will likely spend plenty of time dealing with the police while most likely not getting your car back. To make matters worse, insurance might not cover everything, and simply filing a claim will increase your rates.
When your insurer pays off, the amount may not be as much as you still owe on your vehicle. Depreciation can quickly decrease the value while your total amount owed drops only by small increments. If you are buying a new car, consider add-ons such as gap insurance. Gap insurance can help bridge the difference between what you owe and what your car is worth, but why not take steps to prevent theft from happening in the first place?
Sadly, such theft is more common than you might think: In 2023, over a million automobiles were stolen in the United States. An average year also sees more than 188,000 motorcycle thefts, which means you might further benefit from learning the best motorcycle anti-theft tips.
As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. When it comes to your car, most of the devices on this list are easy to install, meaning that a few minutes could save you hours of annoying headaches. The benefits of a good anti-theft device are similar to the benefits of quality insurance — it gives you peace of mind when you need it the most.
#1 Steering Wheel Locks: A Simple Yet Effective Deterrent
When most drivers imagine anti-theft car devices, they imagine state-of-the-art technology. And while many such cutting-edge devices are available, you can also benefit from a very low-tech solution. For example, the steering wheel lock has been around for decades, and people continue using it because it is highly reliable.
How do such locks work? As the name implies, this device locks your steering wheel into place. This keeps potential thieves from driving away with your vehicle because they cannot turn the steering wheel. For additional protection, these locks typically have special keys that cannot be duplicated, giving you added security and control.
#2 Car Alarms: The Classic Protection
If you are reading this, chances are you are hoping to discover some exotic theft-prevention devices for your car. However, when it comes to preventing vehicle theft, you do not necessarily have to reinvent the wheel. Or, more precisely, you do not necessarily have to reinvent the alarm.
A very audible car alarm is one of the best ways to deter thieves because the last thing a criminal wants is to draw attention to themselves. Many vehicles come with audible alarms, but even if an alarm does not come standard with your vehicle, you can still install it as an aftermarket upgrade. Incidentally, one of the reasons many drivers prefer using such car alarms is that they will receive a very loud notification that someone is trying to make off with their automobile.
#3 Immobilizers: Preventing the Engine From Starting
The basic goal of your average car thief is quite simple. They want to access and drive away with a vehicle before the owner even notices it is missing. The owner has the equally simple goal of keeping their care safe and secure. One easy way to do this is to install an immobilizer that will keep the engine from even turning on for anyone other than yourself.
Immobilizers typically interact with the computer chip inside your vehicle to keep the engine from running unless it detects the presence of a special fob or key. In this way, you can ensure that the automobile cannot be driven by anyone other than yourself. This means would-be car thieves will likely move on to easier targets.
Installation of these devices may require the help of a professional.
#4 GPS Trackers: Locating Your Car Anytime, Anywhere
Modern technology allows us to track just about everything using GPS. This can be a handy way to keep track of where your children are or even make sure that the family pet is safe and secure at home. GPS is also a great way of tracking your automobile.
It is easy to install a GPS tracker in a vehicle. Afterward, you can directly monitor the automobile’s location or simply receive text alerts and app notifications if it begins to move. Additionally, while nobody likes to think a thief could ever make off with their car, a tracker may help retrieve a stolen vehicle after the fact. All you have to do is give the tracking info to the police and let justice take its course.
#5 Tire Locks: Securing Your Vehicle in Place
As you might imagine, a tire lock is a close cousin to a wheel lock. When a wheel lock is in place, that wheel will no longer turn until the lock is removed. Without all four wheels moving, it will be impossible for thieves to make off with your vehicle.
If you doubt how effective tire locks can be, consider the sheer number of police departments that rely on them. Chances are you have seen officers putting “boots” or tire clamps on vehicles whose drivers have committed various moving and non-moving violations. Long story short: If this solution is good enough for the police, it is good enough for most drivers.
#6 Kill Switches: The Power to Disable Your Car
Drivers who want to have a little more control over their car security should look into installing hidden kill switches. The way such switches work is deceptively simple. After you park, you hit one or more switches that will keep your automobile from starting. Any would-be thieves will be unable to start the engine without finding all of your hidden switches.
One of the few downsides to such a solution is that determined thieves may still try to tow your vehicle away. If your vehicle is going to be unattended long enough and in a remote enough location for them to pull this off, you may wish to use another anti-theft device.
#7 Window Etching: A Permanent Mark for Identification
One of the more subtle anti-theft solutions is window etching. Specifically, having the Vehicle Identification Number of the automobile permanently etched on its windshield. Doing this does not necessarily prevent a thief from absconding with your car. Instead, it ensures your car will be recognized and less easy to sell.
This method instantly alerts potential buyers that the car has been stolen. Would-be thieves would have to replace the windshield to make a profit from selling the car. Most thieves will save themselves the headache and try to steal a different automobile.
#8 Smart Keys: Enhancing Security With Technology
When it comes to anti-theft devices for your automobile, smart keys are something of a double-edged sword. These keys will unlock the vehicle automatically as you approach and communicate with your car using encrypted signals. On paper, that adds a welcome layer of security and convenience for drivers.
However, some sophisticated thieves have learned how to turn this high-tech solution into a grand theft auto. Even thieves without technical know-how can buy boxes online designed to help them break into cars that use smart keys. In some cases, the theft is as easy as extending the range of the key. This makes the car think the driver is near, allowing the thief to make off with an easy target.
If one of your car insurance questions is whether installing an anti-theft device lowers your premium, the answer could be “yes.” Speak to your agent about what discounts might be available.
Insurance You Can Count on If Your Anti-Theft Devices Fail
Car theft will continue to be a problem. You can take certain steps to help make sure your vehicle doesn’t get stolen, leaving you without wheels. Anti-theft devices can help, but having the right amount of protection is critical. Having full coverage with comprehensive insurance will pay the actual cash value for your car if it is stolen.
At InsureOne, we are here to offer you and your vehicle the financial protection you deserve. Should your car get stolen, we offer the customer service you need to make it through this stressful time. When you are ready for the best in automobile insurance, come get a quote online. You can also pick up the phone and give us a quick call at 800-836-2240. Finally, feel free to visit an InsureOne office near you.