Sourced from: https://www.carinsurance.com/anti-theft-devices/

I apologize in advance for switching gears on all of our readers; we had an urgent request for information relating to anti-theft vehicle devices. It appears that a few of our followers have experienced unfortunate losses due to several unscrupulous individuals helping themselves to property not belonging to them. Last week, we discussed CPTEP and landscaping. We will now move the discussion on lighting to next week. Even though I have a planned release for these topics, I have to remain flexible so that we can address our reader's most significant concerns. 

Lately, we have seen an uptick in auto part theft based on reader complaints. This type of crime is often difficult to track because many people do not report these thefts to the police knowing that little can be done when items are not marked or serialized. Remember, this is not always the case as this belief is misleading. As a former police officer, I would encourage you to report these crimes. Not because I believe the police will be able to recover and return your property, although that is the ultimate goal. Instead, such reporting helps police direct patrols and focus investigative efforts. Without such information, tracking trends and hot-spot activity becomes difficult and minimizes the effectiveness of the police response.

The following items have proven effective in preventing auto part theft; I hope you find the information helpful.

1. Steering Wheel Lock

They've been around for decades, but one of the best car theft protection devices is the tool that locks your steering wheel into place. One of the most popular devices is The Club.

By attaching The Club or a similar device to your steering wheel, it's locked in place and can't be turned to steer the vehicle.
Cost: Beginning at around $20 

2. Car Wheel Clamp

Instead of locking the steering wheel, you could lock an exterior vehicle wheel with a tire clamp or boot device. These also rank highly on the best car anti-theft device list.

This device can prevent thieves from stealing your wheel, but it also protects the entire vehicle from theft, as a clamped tire will not rotate or turn.

Expect to pay between $30 and $70.               

3. Brake Locks

Slam the brakes on thieves by adding a brake lock to your automobile anti-theft arsenal.

These devices typically attach to your auto's brake pedal, preventing crooks from using the brake and stealing the vehicle.

A brake lock will run you around $50. Some attach to the steering wheel as well. This prevents thieves from using the steering wheel or the brake pedal.

4. Audible Alarms

The blaring sound of an alarm system can be an excellent car theft deterrent. Alarms will attract attention to your vehicle. That can be enough for a thief to move on to another target.

You can also put stickers with the name of the car alarm system on your vehicle, which is a passive anti-theft approach.

Cost: $200 and up, depending on what system and installation type you select.

5. Hidden Kill Switch

Install one or more of these switches inside your vehicle to cut the flow of electricity at the battery or ignition switch or to shut down the fuel pump.

If you install several switches, thieves will have their work cut out when they try to find them all.

Cost: Beginning for as little as $10, but you may need a professional to install them.          

6. Vehicle Tilt and Glass-break Sensors

Glass break and vehicle tilt sensors alert if your car windows are broken, or someone jostles your car and the position changes -- for example, by trying to load it on a tow truck and haul it away.

The sensors may sound an alarm, shut down the ignition or send you an alert on your smartphone.

Cost: Around $40 for a tilt sensor and $17 for a glass break sensor.

7. Battery Disconnect Switch

A battery disconnect switch is another anti-theft device for cars. This simple device allows you to disconnect your automotive battery's power, so thieves cannot drive away with your vehicle.

Many people use these devices to quickly turn their auto's battery power on and off when they are working on the vehicle. But some of these devices also allow you to turn off the power and disconnect the knob so thieves can't reconnect the power source.

Best of all, this type of switch typically costs less than $15.

8. GPS Trackers

You can use a GPS tracking device to keep track of your car's location. If your vehicle starts moving when it's supposed to be parked outside your office, you'll know you have a problem.

Text/email alerts will be sent to your smartphone. For example, you can get detailed reports on where your car has gone and where it's headed.

Depending on the device, you may be able to immobilize your car if it's stolen.

Cost: As low as $40 up to several hundred dollars. You also may be charged a monthly fee.

9. Remote Locks

Car thieves love unlocked vehicles. So, remote locks are a tremendous anti-theft car lock. If you walk away from your car and forget to lock it, remote locks let you turn to your smartphone. You can lock and unlock your vehicle from the phone if it's equipped with remote locks.

Other cars come with passive locks, which automatically lock your car doors.

Cost: Standard on some vehicles and starting around $200 for others.

10. Vehicle Recovery Systems

Unlike GPS, LoJack theft prevention uses radio frequency technology to help law enforcement track and recover your car.

Once you file a report that your car has been stolen, police computers send a radio signal to your car, and the LoJack device can be activated. This security device for cars allows law enforcement to track the silent signal from your vehicle as long as your vehicle is in a LoJack coverage area.

Cost: The basic system is $695. An upgrade that notifies you if your car is moved without your Key Pass present is $995.

11. Smart Keys

These keys have a radio pulse generator that communicates with antennas inside the car to lock, unlock or start the vehicle.

Car and Driver says these devices help deter theft because they do not send the same frequency signal each time. Instead, the keys deliver a new encrypted signal every time a door is unlocked or a trunk is opened remotely. This means that even tech-savvy thieves will have trouble getting past this deterrent.

Cost: These often come standard on new cars and can be added to other vehicles with cost depending on self-install or hiring a professional.

12. Catalytic Converter Locks

Industry reports say that the average catalytic converter thief needs nothing more than thirty seconds and a battery-powered saw blade to strip your vehicle of its converter. Usually containing palladium, platinum, and/or rhodium, a stolen catalytic converter can fetch thieves a pretty penny. It can cost you up to $1,000 in total repair costs to get it replaced. Protect yourself by neutralizing that saw and prolonging those precious seconds with the CatClamp Catalytic Converter Lock.

Cost: $200 plus

13. Tailgate Locks

Easily installed by even the least mechanically inclined, this device locks around the slip hinge side of your tailgate. It prevents thieves from simply lifting the tailgate out of the hinge and running away with your gate.

A cheaper alternative to this prevention measure is a standard hose clamp. Using the same principle idea of locking the tailgate in place, a hose clamp that is installed and tightened in place will deter thieves from quickly removing your tailgate. Since it is not an actual lock, this is more deterrence than anti-theft.

Cost: $20 - $30

14. Rim Locks

Rim Locks have been around for a long time and should be considered a requirement when purchasing high-end rims for your vehicle. These devices are easily installed and work well to prevent rim theft.

Cost: $20 - $40

I hope that you find this information valuable as you search the internet for available options. For some, this may be the first introduction to these types of devices and for others these may seem obvious based on personal experience and knowledge. Regardless of which camp you fall into, we can all benefit from knowing these options are available. Please continue your research until you find the option that best protects your property and interests.

Boss Security Screens has your back when it comes to security and best practices. It is always our goal to help guide and protect our readers. Until we start developing products for vehicles, I will have to show you the best available from some great manufacturers and distributors.

Until next week, stay safe and be vigilant.

Written by,

Michael Johnston

Chief Security Advisor at Boss Security Screens

*The author is a paid consultant and product representative for Boss Security Screens. The information provided in this blog does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials are the author's opinion and for general informational purposes only. It is recommended that you consult an attorney, certified trainers, or licensed providers before acting on any information provided. This website may link to other third-party websites. Such links are for the convenience of the reader and are not endorsed by the author.