Effect of Anti-Theft Device and Its Impact on Car Insurance Premium

1) Prevent Theft:
ATDs can help prevent theft by discouraging thieves from attempting to steal the vehicle. For example, if the thieves have the option of stealing two cars – one with a tyre lock and an alarm and another having no such security. Which one do you think the thieves will go for? The answer is obvious, hence, anti-theft devices are helpful in reducing vehicle thefts. 

2) Car Insurance Discount:
Installing certified ATDs and letting your insurance company know about them can fetch you a discount while buying or renewing a Comprehensive car insurance policy. In case you have installed the ATD and want to benefit from the associated discount, you will have to be proactive and inform the company about your security measure via call or email. Usually, such a provision is not available in the online policy purchase/renewal flow.

3) Seamless Claim Settlement:
Installing an ATD showcases your desire to safeguard your vehicle. In case of a theft claim, such an act can mean that you had actively taken measures to safeguard your car, but despite that, it got stolen. It can help the insurance company in understanding that you did what you could do to prevent the theft and this can result in seamless claim settlement.

4) Avoiding Inconvenience:
Facing the trauma of car theft, visiting the police station for filing the First Information Report (FIR) and coordinating with the insurance company can prove to be inconvenient. As there is a high probability that ATDs can avoid all this, then why not install one? ATDs can be beneficial in avoiding such kinds of inconveniences.

5) Financial Safety:
A loss is a loss – it cannot be sugar-coated. Even if you claim insurance for the stolen car, you shall receive the Insured Declared Value (IDV) and not the price you paid to purchase it, unless you have an Invoice Protection Add-on. ATDs can prevent such a loss by preventing theft.

1) GPS Tracking:
This device can come in handy in tracking the stolen vehicle. It works based on the Global Positioning System (GPS) and offers a real-time location of the vehicle if the system is active.

2) Car Alarm:
This is a sound-based ATD. If anyone tries to tamper with the car, the system will sound an alarm alerting the people around the car. A car-alarm based anti-theft device is usually not too costly.

3) Electronic Immobiliser:
Some advanced car keys are fitted with a technology that sends signals to the vehicle to start the engine. Without such signals, the car does not start. You can use such anti-theft electronic immobilisers to keep your car safe.

4) Mechanical Immobilisers:
Mechanical immobilisers have a variety of options under it. These devices are not hi-tech, and as a result, are not that expensive. They make use of mechanical devices to stop the car’s mobility. Tyre Lock, Steering Lock, and Gear Lock are prominent examples of mechanical immobilisers.

5) Kill Switch:
This device involves a switch that can switch off a part of the car’s engine, rendering it immobile until the switch is on. Such types of switches can be installed in a hidden location in the car to prevent thieves from accessing it.

Deterrence: Deterrents like steering wheel locks, alarms, security stickers, etc., indicate that the car is guarded.

Detection: This is done through devices like motion detectors, GPS tracking, glass break detection systems, etc. These detectors detect any entry and inform the owner.

Response Mechanisms: Once a threat is detected, the device will respond with an alarm about the attempted theft. 

Technology Integration: Many anti-theft devices are integrated with mobile phones, allowing users to track, control, and turn off the devices if necessary. 

Choose: First and foremost, choose the right anti-theft device. You can choose from a GPS tracker, immobliser, car alarms, etc.

Read the Instructions: Read the setup process and install it as per the instructions.

Sync: If it is applicable, you can sync the ATD to your mobile device and handle the functions remotely.

Inform Your Insurer: Let your insurer know about which device you have installed and avail discounts on the premium.

Check Regularly: You must periodically check the devices you have installed to be sure that they are working properly or need any repairs. 

Check your vehicle type: Choose devices compatible with your car and ensure that they integrate with it. 

Check security ratings: Look for devices based on your security needs as well as check their ratings.

Opt for tech-based features: GPS trackers, engine immobilisers, and alarm systems offer better control and alerts.

Ease of use matters: Select a device that’s simple to install, activate, and maintain regularly.

Budget: Choose a reliable device within budget without compromising essential features.