The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) has solutions for all sorts of theft; this is NCIB’s advice on anti-theft for cars. These prices are guidelines; find a solution that best fits your budget. Download the NICB fact sheet on anti-theft devices or visit the NICB site for additional theft solutions.
Warning Devices
A visible or audible device which alerts thieves that your vehicle is protected.
- Audible Alarms: Audible alarms are typically equipped with motion or impact sensors, which trigger a 120-decibel siren.
- Cost: $150 – $1,000
- Benefits: Effective in preventing thefts, burglaries and vandalism
- Steering Column Collars: Steering column collars prevent thieves from “hot-wiring” the vehicle. Some collars are installed permanently. Others must be continuously activated.
- Cost: $100 – $200 installed
- Benefits: Excellent protection for older vehicles
- Steering Wheel Locks: A steering wheel lock is a metal bar designed to prevent the steering wheel from turning.
- Cost: $25 – $100
- Benefits: Excellent visual deterrent
- Steering Wheel/Brake Pedal Lock: Prevents depression of the brake pedal.
- Cost: $15 – $80
- Benefits: Excellent visible deterrent
- Tire Locks: Similar to the circular steel “boots” used by many large city police departments, tire locks prevent the vehicle from being driven.
- Cost: $80 – $200
- Benefits: Excellent visible deterrent
- Tire Deflators: Attaches to the tire valve stem and causes the tire to go flat if the tire rotates before they are removed.
- Cost: Under $50
- Benefits: Easy and inexpensive to use.
- Theft Deterrent Decals: Theft deterrent decals visually warn thieves the vehicle is protected by an alarm or other antitheft devices.
- Cost: $2 – $5
- Benefits: Inexpensive but effective
- Identification markers in or on vehicle: Security labels marking various vehicle parts enabling the part to be identified if removed from the vehicle.
- Cost: $2 – $15
- Benefits: Inexpensive, discourages thieves from stealing the vehicle and aids in recovery
- Window Etching: Etching the vehicle identification number or another traceable number onto the vehicle’s windows makes it difficult for thieves to resell the vehicle or its parts.
- Cost: Free to $100
- Benefits: Discourages thieves from stealing the vehicle and aids in recovery
- Laminated Glass: Impact-resistant protective glazing applied to vehicle windows designed to fortify the windows against penetration or splintering.
- Cost: Standard
- Benefits: Excellent protection for vehicle windows
Immobilizing Devices
Prevents thieves from bypassing your ignition and hot-wiring the vehicle.
- Smart Keys: Smart keys contain specially coded computer chips or radio frequencies. Without the exact key, the vehicle’s engine cannot be started.
- Cost: Standard in some models
- Benefits: Effective and extremely easy to use
- Fuse cut-offs: Short circuits the electrical system, preventing the vehicle from starting.
- Cost: $40 – $90
- Benefits: Inexpensive and relatively easy to install
- Kill Switches: Kill switches inhibit the flow of electricity or fuel to the engine until a hidden switch is activated.
- Cost: $10 – $125
- Benefits: Inexpensive and relatively easy to install
- Starter, ignition and fuel disablers: Short circuits the electrical or fuel system, preventing the vehicle from starting, or causes the vehicle to stop running within a short time.
- Cost: Standard in some models
- Benefits: Inexpensive and easy to use
Tracking Devices
Submits a signal to police or a monitoring station when the vehicle is stolen.
- Tracking Devices: Most tracking devices are electronic transmitters hidden in the vehicle, which emit signals to the police or monitoring stations when the vehicle is reported stolen.
- Cost: $400 to $1,500
- Benefits: Effective in recovering stolen vehicles
Common Sense
Anti-theft devices are great but use these low-cost common sense tips, too.
- Remove Ignition Keys
- If removed from the ignition after every use, ordinary ignition keys can significantly reduce the likelihood of theft.
- Lock Doors and Close Windows
- Locked doors and closed windows effectively limit access to the vehicle’s interior.
- Park in a Well-Lit Area
- Parking under street or parking lot lights discourages thieves from approaching a vehicle because of the risk of visibility.
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