Auto theft hits a 20-year low

Is vehicle theft a thing of the past? Not likely, however, technology is making it harder for auto theft. Auto manufactures are developing more sophisticated anti-theft technology for new makes and models. USA Today reported that 

vehicle theft has fallen to a 20-year low even as the number of vehicles on the road has doubled, as manufacturers install sophisticated anti-theft technology in cars and police target organized car-theft rings.

Many vehicles come standard with factory alarms, ignition immobilizers, and GPS tracking devices. However, not all autos include these standard luxuries, especially base models and older vehicles. Read our post Older cars still valuable…to thieves to find out what the top 10 vehicles are being stolen today.

If you don’t have some type of anti-theft or tracking device for your car, consider one. At minimum, an alarm system is the cheapest way to go because it can help deter a thief.  If you have a little extra to spend, there are satellite tracking systems that can help police track your vehicle (and hopefully, before it’s stripped into a bare frame). These systems include Sat Track and Guidepoint and both will help police locate your vehicle anywhere in the United States, Mexico and Canada. A cheaper version of a GPS system is Lojack. And instead of satellite tracking, Lojack uses radio frequency technology. This limits the area of the signals reach. Just think of your cell phone as Lojack and a GPS system as satellite radio, like XM radio.  And, in my experience, my cell phone won't work when I need it the most.

In addition to keeping your vehicle safe, most insurance companies will provide discounts on your premium for having a theft-deterrent or auto-recovery system. Contact your insurance provider for more details on applicable discounts.

If you’re interested in investing in a product listed above, contact Auto Expert for more information at 1-800-359-4567.