Whether the economy is good or bad, nothing changes the fact that losing a car, truck, SUV, hybrid or electric vehicle due to auto theft is an expensive loss. Car manufacturers continue to introduce increasingly effective devices to prevent theft.
Alarms installed in many vehicles are commonly set-off when sensors detect attempts to gain access to a vehicle's doors, hood, trunk or windows. Loud horns accompanied by flashing vehicle lights are a great deterrent to many thieves. Besides alarms, a variety of other devices, varying in complexity and expense are available to protect a vehicle such as:
· Electronic (coded) Keys
· Electronic Tracking Devices
· Floorboard/Crook Locks
· Gearshift Locks
· Hood Locks
· Kill Switches (fuel or ignition)
· Steering Column Armored Collars
· Steering Wheel Lock
· Theft-Deterrent Decals
· Tire/Wheel Locks
· Trunk Locks
· VIN Etching
Another development is the tracking capability of on-line monitoring services that can assist in locating and, in some instances, disabling vehicles to aid recovery.
Recent trends show that, while auto theft continues to be a major problem, the theft of newer model cars have decreased due to modern anti-theft devices; especially when more than one type of device is used. However, the most effective tool continues to be simple loss prevention and common sense.
Thieves look for two things when going about their work: One; attractive reasons to steal and two; easy targets. Vehicles that are often stolen are ones where owners have left valuable property in the open that is easily seen by potential thieves such as GPS devices, expensive purchases, laptops and sound equipment. Another major factor contributing to theft is an owner leaving a car unattended; with its keys in the ignition. While shamefully obvious, the general, vehicle-owning public still needs education on basic loss prevention. Chances for auto theft can be substantially reduced by some incredibly simple behavior:
· Lock your car
· Hide valuables (such as placing them in a car's trunk)
· Never leave a vehicle running and unattended
Whether you own a new car or old, a luxury car or a generic model; there are people with plenty of incentive who want to steal it…..practice basic loss prevention and minimize your chances of being an auto theft victim.
COPYRIGHT: Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc. 2012
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