| In 2005, approximately 1.2 million automobiles | | | | case it is stolen. While these products will generally |
| were stolen in the United States. Thieves use a | | | | not help to prevent theft, they can be a great |
| variety of methods to steal cars, including hot | | | | backup to use in combination with a preventative |
| wiring, stealing a person's keys, and carjacking. | | | | device so that your chances of recovering your |
| While there is no way to make a vehicle | | | | car are greater. Recovery devices include: |
| completely theft proof, there are a number of | | | | - Electronic tracking devices: These are installed |
| devices that can help to prevent theft by making | | | | out of sight in a car and allow your car to be |
| it exceedingly intensive and time consuming. Below | | | | tracked in case it is stolen. Using GPS, your car's |
| is a list of common anti-theft devices that are | | | | current location, and sometimes even the thief's |
| widely available to minimize your risk of car theft. | | | | trip, can be communicated to the police. |
| Preventative Devices | | | | - Kill switch: Some vehicles have a kill switch |
| These products can help to discourage thieves | | | | installed, which needs to be physically switched on |
| from targeting your vehicle. The more visible you | | | | to start the vehicle. These can be hidden |
| make an anti-theft device, the less likely a thief is | | | | anywhere the driver chooses, such as under the |
| to mess with your car. Some popular anti-theft | | | | seat or in the glove compartment. Some kill |
| devices include: | | | | switches can be activated remotely if you report |
| - Steering wheel lock: These usually consist of a | | | | the vehicle as stolen, which will turn the car off |
| long metal bar that locks onto the steering wheel | | | | immediately wherever it is located. |
| and prevents the thief from turning the steering | | | | - VIN etching: Your VIN number can be etched on |
| wheel. Without a way to guide the car, thieves | | | | different car parts, which makes it more difficult |
| are unlikely to get far and will likely choose an | | | | for a thief to sell your vehicle to a chop shop. |
| easier target. | | | | Police can use the VIN number on parts to |
| - Wheel locks: These "boots" are often used by | | | | identify your vehicle even if the original VIN has |
| police departments and prevent a vehicle from | | | | been removed. |
| being moved. | | | | If you are concerned about car theft or live in a |
| - Alarms: Loud noises are an easy way to scare | | | | high crime area, using one or more of these |
| thieves away, as they do not want to attract | | | | devices can be an effective way of keeping your |
| attention. | | | | vehicle safe. If your vehicle is stolen, having |
| - Electronic keys: Vehicles that operate with these | | | | comprehensive car insurance coverage may be |
| types of keys can only be run with the correctly | | | | invaluable, as you can file a claim for your missing |
| coded key. Otherwise the vehicle will not start. | | | | vehicle and recover the cost through your |
| Recovery Devices | | | | insurance company. |
| Other devices can help to recover your vehicle in | | | | |