Motor Vehicle Anti-theft Devices: Research your needs

In order to end up with the anti-theft device best suited to your needs, you have to clearly understand what you are looking for and what options are available to you. This is done by researching in two areas.

Firstly, you research the market to find out what kinds of anti-theft devices are available, familiarizing yourself with the different features, styles and price ranges etc. Secondly, you examine your own unique requirements in a anti-theft device.

Research the market: Anti-theft Device essentials

The first part of the research step is to investigate just what's available in the anti-theft device market. The range of options can seem daunting, but you can make a good start by understanding the following major features:

Options: Layered protection is said to be the best way to deter a thief from stealing your vehicle. A professional thief can steal any automobile he chooses. Therefore, it is wise to consider multiplying the amount of protection that has already been installed by the factory, like keyless remote entry.

Mechanical: If your car hood latches from the outside, you might consider hood locks. If it doesn't you might consider an armored steering wheel lock. These will cost you ten times less than a full electronic security system and they work well as a visible deterrent, which might make a thief consider another, easier, target. Brake locks are also another choice.

Electronic: Immobilizers, such as a kill-switch or a switch located in a secret position might be a cost-effective option. In essence, you will have to flip a switch or a dial to allow the ignition relay to receive the charge necessary to start the engine. (Be sure to have a certified professional install anything that will connect to your car's electrical system). Another option, which is becoming less popular in cities, is a loud audio alarm. An alternative is to use an alarm that pages you should someone be tampering with your car. On the more expensive side, tracking systems and pin-number authentication systems are becoming more popular.

Cost: The cost of most mechanical immobilizers, such as steering wheel locks, are not that expensive and will cost you about the price of one month's insurance on a regular car. Paging systems are not much more expensive, but satellite tracking systems will cost you ten to twenty times that amount. Electronic immobilizers might only cost you about the equivalent of two to three months of the price of insurance.

Research your needs: Questions to ask yourself

Now it's time to determine what your requirements are in a anti-theft device. For example, do you live in an area with high crime rates or do you just need a simple deterrent for when your car is parked at the mall?

You can start this process by considering the following questions - as well as any others you think of yourself - and recording your answers.

Have I used a anti-theft device before?
	If you have used a anti-theft device, work out what you did or didn't like about the anti-theft device. You may be looking for one exactly like it, hoping to upgrade, or even trying to avoid any particular features that you found inconvenient.

What do I want to achieve by obtaining an anti-theft system?
	You might want to protect your valuable investment or want your insurance premiums to go down. Perhaps you want to have the most technologically advanced system available; for example, one that talks.

How much is my car worth?
	This is an important question because your car's actual worth might make you think about installing a certain type of anti-theft system or not. Statistically, average, medium-priced cars are stolen the most, since their parts are easily reusable.

What do I currently do to prevent my car from being tampered with?
	You might have the automobile's VIN etched in all the windows and keep it in a garage. Maybe there is a security watchman present at night. Perhaps you have to park in busy areas or you have to park along the side of the road at night.

How much protection do I really need?
	Take stock of the reality of where you reside/work. Perhaps you feel that your car needs an anti-theft device to deter a lot of criminals or maybe you live and work in an area where the potential for crime is lower.

How much money can I afford to spend on it right now?
	If you want, you can spend almost as much as the purchase price of a small car on anti-theft devices for your vehicle. Can you afford it and is it worth borrowing money for? On a budget, you can still do many things that will deter someone from breaking into or stealing your vehicle.

Understanding your needs is the key to a successful purchase and you can revisit your list of needs at any time during the buying process.

Once you complete this Research step, having informed yourself about the essentials of anti-theft devices and identified your needs, you are ready to move on to the next step: Evaluation.

Video Links

Biometric Car Security - Info
This video is about Biometric/Fingerprint Car Security Invention. It is a TV Interview of CEO of United Linkers, Mr Swapnil Kale. This TV interview was broadcasted in Dec 2004. (4m 30s)