Automotive Security Systems

In today’s world, when car thefts and car jackings are becoming increasingly commonplace, automotive security systems are more than a necessary evil... They are a mandatory fitting in most cars.

In fact, most insurance companies will insist on an effective automotive security system before they agree to insure your car. There is a clause in most insurance applications that specifies that a recognized automotive security system is required in order for the insurance to be applicable.

Recognizing this need, most automobile manufacturers build in effective automotive security systems into their cars and trucks. All of the latest model cars in the market come with some or the other form of security system as part of the standard, or atleast optional, equipment.

Even if your car is an older model or came without an built-in auto security system, you can do your bit to prevent theft by installing an good one. While the initial cost may seem intimidating, it is well worth the money if it can help prevent theft. Not to mention the stress and the waste of time running around for insurance, police complaints etc.

Studies reveal that a car is stolen every twenty five seconds in the United States. You surely don’t want to be a part of that statistic! A basic automotive security system consists of a sensor fitted with an alarm that goes off if someone tries to forcibly enter your car. This sort of an automotive security system also comes with an auto locking facility that allows you to lock and unlock your car doors from a distance.

Some people claim that the alarm that goes off, when the car is broken into, is useless because no one will come to help. That's not what it's for. I once had the good (?) fortune to have it happen to me. I was leaving a movie theater when I heard my car alarm go off. I looked over to my car (I was about a hundred yards away) to see two teens running away from my car. I had stupidly left my checkbook on the seat of the car. They broke the window, the alarm fired, and they ran away. I still had my checkbook and was a little smarter.

Ever seen those shoppers in front of supermarket parking lots (or in the movies) frantically pressing on their hand held beeper to identify their car? Well, the automotive security system also has this sort of unadvertised use!

A slightly more advanced automotive security system comes with additional features like lockable wheels to ensure that even if the auto thief manages to enter the car, he will not be able to drive it away. An extension of this sort of a system also uses password protection and even digital fingerprinting to ensure that the rightful owner of the car is entering and driving the car.

The digital fingerprinting automotive security system is becoming increasingly popular. In fact, the latest series of Mercedes Benz comes with a digital fingerprinting automotive security system that eliminates the need to carry keys around. Keys can be duplicated, but nobody can hope to duplicate your fingerprint!

But these sorts of automotive security systems are of no use if the auto thief manages to beat them and still drive away with your car. Which is why, high end automotive security systems come with even more enhanced features like a silent beeper which gets activated during or after a car jacking, enabling the police to track down your car even much later after the theft. LoJack is one such system. Make sure you read the fine print when buying one though, it doesn't operate in all states (yet.)

Such automotive security systems cost a pretty packet though. But for the discerning user, who does not mind the expense, it is a sure shot way to ensure that your car remains in the hands of its rightful owner at all times. And woe betide the thief who tries to snatch it away!