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 There was a day when nobody thought about anti-theft devices for their cars. Automobiles were parked on the street or in parking lots, doors unlocked, windows wide open and nobody worried about their car getting stolen. But now you've got a $30,000 investment out there on the road and buying an anti-theft device for a car is pretty much standard practice today.
Vehicle Theft Today
Manufacturers of anti-theft devices have kept pace with the growing demand to protect cars from being stolen. And the industry has progressed from mechanical locking devices to the sophisticated radio devices that are now "standard equipment" in many luxury automobiles.
According to recent statistics, a car is stolen every 25 second in the United States alone. That's over a million vehicles stolen each year. That's just one of the reasons today's anti-theft devices have become so sophisticated. If you cannot prevent a car from being stolen, then at least you can determine where the car is located so that the car can be recovered.
Mechanical Anti Theft Devices
About fifteen years ago, there was a sharp rise in the number of cars stolen and the desire by consumers to have a simple mechanical locking device to help protect their cars and their investments. Early devices included relatively crude anti-theft steering wheel locks until the day The Club was introduced.
The Club
The Original Club(r) is still the top mechanical steering wheel lock used in the world. It includes steel construction that resists both sawing and hammering. The device was made to universally fit all kinds of vehicles - cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs.
The Club(r) LX is the latest generation of mechanical anti theft devices and it includes improvements such as laser encrypted keys and solid steel hooks. In fact, the manufacturer is so confident of the anti theft abilities of this device that they include guarantees up to $1,000.
Electronic Car Alarms and Immobilizers
Next up on the sophistication ladder of anti-theft devices for cars are the electronic engine immobilizers that are frequently installed as standard equipment in many new cars today. These electronic devices immobilize a car by shutting off a portion of the car's electrical or fuel system making it difficult, if not impossible, for a thief to steal a car.
These immobilizers can be activated through a small radio device or via an on-board system that detects an intruder tampering with the car. An audible alarm typically sounds when the car's anti-theft device is activated to further discourage the thief.
Stolen Vehicle Recovery Systems
The final two types of anti-theft devices you can buy for a car are really what are known as stolen vehicle recovery systems. These devices go beyond just trying to prevent a car from being stolen - they help the police to track and recover the vehicle.
LoJack Car Recovery System
LoJack really did some ground-breaking work when they partnered with law enforcement officials. Today, they are the only anti-theft and car recovery system that is fully integrated with the police. That's because LoJack provides law enforcement officials with special tracking devices to enable them to track and recover stolen vehicles.
LoJack Technology
LoJack uses a patented technology that consists of a small radio frequency transceiver that his hidden in the car itself. LoJack is integrated with police computer systems and is linked to the unique VIN each car is assigned.
Once the theft of a LoJack equipped car is reported as stolen to the police and entered into the police database, the LoJack transmitter emits a signal that can be tracked by law enforcement vehicles equipped with a LoJack tracking unit. More than 90% of LoJack equipped cars are recovered.
OnStar Vehicle Recovery System
General Motors has also made a huge commitment to the safety and security of its car owners. In fact, starting in 2007 OnStar became standard equipment on the complete range of GM cars, trucks and SUVs sold in the US and Canada.
OnStar is currently packaged in two different ways, but the lower priced Safe & Sound package contains a complete range of anti-theft measures for cars including:
- Remote Door Unlock
- Remote Horn and Lights
- Stolen Vehicle Location
Other features of OnStar include automatic notification of air bag deployment, vehicle diagnostics, emergency services and accident assistance. All these features are offered at a price of roughly $17 per month.
Car Insurance Discounts for Anti Theft Devices
Most car insurance carriers offer their policyholders a discount on their insurance premiums when cars are equipped with anti theft devices. The exact discount will vary by insurance company.
One rule of thumb that you can use when trying to figure out which device might offer you a larger discount on your car insurance is this - the more automated the car's anti-theft equipment, the larger the discount.
That's because automation lowers, or eliminates, the possibility of a car owner forgetting to connect or activate the anti-theft device. So if the anti-theft device engages automatically, then insurance companies can be assured the system will protect the car and pass on the potential savings back to consumers via a larger discount.
About the Author - Car Anti-Theft Devices
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