Car alarms were developed to deter theft by drawing attention to a vehicle, to scare off a would-be thief. However, their tendency to be triggered by a bump or simply hitting the wrong button on your key fob means that by and large, when they do go off, they are ignored. This learned indifference is the exact opposite of the intent of car alarms.
So, do car alarms actually prevent theft? For the most part, the answer is no. Even setting aside how acclimated we are to hearing them, a practiced car thief could likely disable a car alarm as quickly as an owner can find the right button to push to turn off an errant alarm.
There are other, more effective anti-theft tools available.
Are car alarms effective?
A frequently cited study found that anti-theft alarm systems for cars are not very effective at preventing theft, largely due to the fact that they are commonly activated inadvertently and that people have become accustomed to ignoring them. On top of that, if someone is stealing a car, the only safe step for a bystander to take is to call the police. The typical person on the street is not going to stop a car theft in progress.
Fortunately, there are other options for vehicle security systems. And, if the worst does happen and your vehicle is stolen, comprehensive car insurance does cover theft. Itâs important to note that a lot of vehicle theft involves stealing property inside of the car, rather than the car itselfâand those losses may need to be covered by your homeowners or renters insurance policy.
What types of anti-theft devices & equipment are available?
Anti-theft devices generally fall into two categories: physical locks, and electronic options. Examples of physical locks include steering wheel locks, wheel locks, and hood locks.
Electronic options include GPS tracking devices that are either built in by the manufacturer or installed by a certified technician in your vehicle, or immobilization systems that disable the car when it is out of a certain range from the key.
OnStar, LoJack, and Immobilization systems
OnStar is owned by General Motors, and was originally formed as a collaboration between GM and Hughes Electronics Corporationâinnovators in satellite communications and the company that founded DirecTV. The first model year OnStar was available in GM models was 1997, included in certain models of Cadillacs. It can be used to communicate with emergency services, connect with apps, and allows for remote access to the vehicle.
OnStar operates under a service fee model, where customers pay a monthly subscription rate for various services, including security features. Examples of OnStarâs security offerings include stolen vehicle assistance, which can track or slow down a stolen vehicle, or prevent it from restarting once stopped.
Designed and patented in 1979, LoJack was one of the first electronic systems designed to prevent theft or aid in the recovery of a stolen vehicle. The original system included a small radio transceiver that was installed in the vehicle, along with registering the carâs vehicle identification number (VIN) and LoJack device number in a database.
If a vehicle with an original LoJack system was stolen, the owner would report the theft to the police. This would then cause the LoJack reporting system to send a radio signal to the device, turning it on and notifying police in the area near the stolen vehicle. Technology has changed considerably since 1979, and LoJack now uses cellular and GPS technology in its vehicle recovery systems.
Installing and activating LoJack in your car or truck could save you money on your insurance. In fact, adding any additional anti-theft systems might help you to save money on your premiums, but the amount will likely vary by insurer and by system.
If youâve purchased a new or used car or truck that was built in the last 20 years or so, your vehicle is likely equipped with an immobilization system. The key fob holds a chip that sends a signal to a receiver in the ignition, allowing it to start. If the receiver and the fob are not within a certain physical range from one another, the car will stop. This transponder chip is an effective anti-theft device, as the chip and the passcode in the ignition system must match to start the car.
Attempts to start the car with the wrong key will either sound an alert or not work at all. Immobilizers offer one big advantage over OnStar or LoJackâas part of a vehicleâs ignition system, thereâs no monthly fee or activation necessary, itâs part of the car and is automatically âon.â
Steering wheel, hood, and wheel lock systems
A steering wheel lock device is placed on a steering wheel and locked into place by the vehicleâs owner that prevents the steering wheel from turning while itâs in place.
Unlike the electronic systems outlined above, which are designed to be unseen, physical lock systems offer a different type of protection: they are visible and send a signal to a would-be thief to move on to a car thatâs an easier target.
Hood locks are exactly what they sound like: a lock for the hood of your car. This can prevent a thief from accessing your engine to disable electronics, including anti-theft devices or software, and it can protect your car from having valuable parts stolen. If you have an older or classic car, a hood lock can prevent a thief from âhot wiringâ your car.
Wheel locks protect your carâs wheelsâthatâs right, someone might steal just the wheels to your car. Car tires can be very expensive, particularly those for performance cars. This makes them a target to be stolen and resold. Wheel locks look very similar to typical lug nuts, but can only be removed by using a special wheel lock key.
What can I do to prevent car theft?
There are a number of actions individuals can take to prevent car theft. As mentioned earlier, theft risks exist for both your vehicle and your belongings. Some of the steps you can take will prevent both types of threats, such as parking in safe, well-lit places. To prevent âsmash and grabsââwhere thieves break your window to steal items youâve left in your carâmake sure that valuable items arenât visible.
- Park in secure, well-lit places whenever possible
- Roll your windows up
- Lock your car doors when you leave, even for very short periods of time
- Donât leave items of value visible in your car, such as purses, cash, electronics, shopping bags, etc.
- If you have an SUV or hatchback, use the privacy cover if there are items in the trunk
- Take your car keys with you when you leave your vehicle
In short, the most important step in anti-theft prevention is to not make it easy for a potential thief. A surprisingly high number of car thefts happen because people have left keys either in or near their vehicles when they are unattended.
Can I get an auto insurance policy that covers car theft?
Yes, there are vehicle insurance policies that will protect you if your car is stolen. Car insurance that covers theft is known as comprehensive insurance. This is the type of coverage youâll need to protect your car for claims that are not the result of a collision.
If you have a car loan or lease your vehicle, youâre most likely required to carry comprehensive car insurance by your lienholder or the bank. Even if you are not required to have comprehensive car insurance, itâs a good idea to have that protection.
Talk to the experts at Rate Insurance to learn more about ways you can protect your car or truck from theft, and find out which insurers can offer you the policy that fits you best.
Disclaimer:
*Savings, if any, vary based on the consumerâs profile and other factors. Contact your insurance agent for more information. Restrictions apply.
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