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Vehicle Alarms
Vehicle theft -- both the stealing of items
from within the vehicle and the stealing
of the entire vehicle -- is a major concern
for owners. With over a million vehicles
stolen each year, a vehicle alarm or other
theft prevention device is a good investment
that may also qualify you for a reduction
in your automobile insurance.
Passive Anti-Theft Devices
Passive anti-theft devices can be inexpensive
and effective. Beyond those offered as standard
equipment by dealers, devices such as a wheel
club can provide a great deterrence. Wheel
locks are a good way to protect hub caps.
Window etching systems, while more expensive,
can be a good deterrent against professional
thieves.
Alarms and Shut-Offs
Alarms (flashing lights, horns, sirens, and
verbal warnings) that sound when a theft
is detected are quite common. These systems
can be designed to trigger when your vehicle
is bumped, moved, a door is opened, glass
is broken, or motion is detected. The downside
is that once triggered, the alarm is so annoying
and so subject to false alarms that it frequently
does not get attention by others. Less aggressive
systems quietly shut off fuel flow or disable
the engine in other ways to prevent the vehicle
from being driven very far.
Tracking Systems
Heavily marketed and highly successful, tracking
systems enable the police to pinpoint the
location of your vehicle once the tracking
system is activated. Studies have shown that
such systems not only dramatically improve
recovery rate but also decrease overall vehicle
theft rates in the area. |
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