Email

by James Neely, freelance writer: click | HERE | to inquire about writing services

The National Insurance Crime Bureau comes out in support of GPS Tracking as a means of keeping vehicle thefts on the decline.  Cited as the reason for most vehicle thefts, the obtaining of parts by professional thieves are stripped from the stolen cars and re-sold for pure profit.  Sometimes the profit margin is twice the value of the vehicle on the used car market.

The NICB always lists the top ten vehicles that are the most wanted by thieves.  This list has the effect of alerting owners to the dangers of having these vehicles and hopefully, motivating them to do something about it.  That “something” should include the purchase of a GPS Tracking device.

Even though the number of car thefts is on the decline that does not mean that efforts should be reduced or eliminated to help prevent them.  In fact, it is the active efforts by everyone that keeps the numbers from increasing.

This is all the more reason to embrace the NICB’s “four layers of protection.”

Common Sense

This includes locking your car and taking your keys every time you leave your vehicle – no exceptions.  More vehicles are stolen that are left unattended with the engine running just outside of a home or a business.  You may as well just put a sign on the vehicle that states “steal me.”

Warning Device

Yes, we have all become immune to the horn that is beeping across the parking lot.  No one looks to see if a car is being broken into, but yet, it does meet its intended goal:  capture attention.  And, often, that attention is enough to cause a perpetrator to run away.

Immobilizing Device

Many are using a “kill switch,” fuel cut-off device, or smart key to help prevent thefts from occurring.  These are effective and inexpensive ways to protect your vehicle.

Tracking Device

GPS Tracking devices that allow an owner to track in real-time, the location of their vehicle helps in recovery efforts should their car become stolen.  And, with possible reductions in insurance premiums for having and installing one, the unit pays for itself over time.

There are other reasons to have a vehicle recovery device installed as well, but suffice it to say that this topic is at the top of the list.  Taking a proactive approach to vehicle theft prevention will help keep you from becoming a victim.  And that is peace of mind we all can use.