| How safe do you think your car really is sitting in that | | | | shutting off the alarm. |
| parking gargae all day while you're at work? What | | | | - What are some of the ranges of the anti-theft |
| about sitting outside your house, even? The truth is | | | | systems you are looking at? The most popular |
| without an anti-theft device installed in your car, it never | | | | systems include options such as audible alarms, a |
| really is safe. A recent study showed that every 25 | | | | concierge system or cellular alarms that notify police. |
| seconds someone's vehicle is reported stolen. That | | | | Other systems you'll find have locking steering-wheel |
| totals 1.2 million car thefts each year. One of those | | | | covers, steering-column covers, locking steering-wheel |
| cars can be yours next. | | | | bars, kill switches, fuel-system locks, tracking devices |
| So you have to decide if the extra money you put out | | | | and delay devices. |
| for buying a car alarm system is a worthy investment | | | | - How much protection are you looking for? Do an |
| compared to losing your car. This is the only question. | | | | evaluation of how far you are willing to go and how |
| You're next faced with ones like, which car safety | | | | much you are willing to spend. You'll find that some |
| system should you buy? Which will best protect it? | | | | alarms, reasonably priced in the $150 to $1,000 range, |
| A professional car thief can and will steal any car, if | | | | will arm automatically. Some alarms come equipped |
| they want it bad enough. You're job is to at least | | | | with tracking devices and are priced from $400 to |
| make them work hard if they plan on trying to steal | | | | $1,500. These types of systems help locate the car if |
| yours. Law enforcement officials recommend using | | | | it's stolen. Steering-wheel locks and column locks are |
| common sense combined with a good anti-theft | | | | priced cheaply but must be manually put on every |
| devices to thwart thieves. | | | | time. |
| There are many different anti-theft devices out there. | | | | - Create a budget for how much you are willing to |
| Here are a few tips to help you protect your car: | | | | spend now and in the future for any additional costs. |
| - First off, think about where you normally park your | | | | Cheaper anti-theft devices such as mechanical |
| car at home and at work. If your alarm was to go off, | | | | immobilizers don't need to be professionally installed, |
| would you or anyone else for that matter, hear it or | | | | but you're also not getting the best deterrent system |
| notice it? If it was to go off, would it simply be ignored? | | | | either. |
| - One great way to deter potential thieves is buy a | | | | - Low-tech, cheaper anti-theft systems can be found |
| heavy gauge steering wheel lock or tire locks. They | | | | in nearly any auto parts store or even in the |
| will run you about $100-$200 but it's worth the cost in | | | | automotive section of a major retailer. However, for |
| peace of mind. Another trick is use indicator lights or | | | | the more sophisticated alarms, your best bet is to find |
| window stickers that give off the impression of the car | | | | a stereo shop or parts store that specializes in |
| having an alarm installed. | | | | automotive electronics such as sound systems, alarms |
| - Do some research of just how effective certain | | | | and radar detectors. They can even do the install for |
| theft-prevention measures actually are. If someone is | | | | you there. |
| determined enough to break into your car, they will find | | | | - Once you have your new alarm system successfully |
| a way. Certain systems just make it more difficult | | | | installed, call your insurance company to see if you are |
| such as cutting through certain steering immobilizers or | | | | now eligible for any discounts. |