Please don't steal my car!
By Gordon Powers, Sympatico / MSN Finance
Insurance rates are up and so are the number of cars going missing each year.
The number one reason most vehicles are stolen is because they do not have an immobilizer, says the Insurance Bureau of Canada. Electronic immobilizers require a special key or small electronic device to start a vehicle’s engine. When someone tries to start your vehicle without this, the immobilizer shuts off the engine’s electrical system, making it virtually impossible to steal.
That’s why Manitoba, for instance, has been requiring owners of the vehicles it views most at risk to install such devices if they live in Winnipeg or commute to the city.
Most passenger vehicles and light trucks built in the last two years come equipped with an immobilizer, but these are generally two-point systems, which are far easier to defeat than more complicated three-point systems that engage starters, ignitions and often fuel pumps.
Other security devices, such as steering wheel locks, alarms, tracking systems and parts marking, can be combined with an immobilizer to provide additional layers of protection.
Steering wheel locks, like The Club, cost as little as $50 and provide a stronger visual deterrent for auto thieves than an immobilizer. Just the sight of an anti-theft device inside a car will put off many casual thieves, police say. Not that it deters the pros.
The Club Buster is intended for locksmiths, tow truck operators, and repo men, but any thief can buy it right now for $90.
Want to see things from that other side of the street? Have a look at these ‘dumber and dumber’ bait car videos.
A bait car is a decoy vehicle owned by the police that’s intended to be stolen. They’re generally models that have a high theft rate such as Ford F150s or Honda Civics.
The decoys are loaded with GPS tracking equipment, surveillance cameras and microphones. Inside the car, unlucky thieves are confronted with a device that allows police to remotely disable the vehicle.
What have you been doing to hang on to your car?
Posted by: jojo | May 25, 2021 4:04:08 PM
nothing but control, this has to stop now..we are going to be nothing but puppets and robots for this government..
"when the people fear the government, that is tyranny..when the government fears the people, that is liberty".---Thomas Jefferson
Posted by: JEFFREY COLLINS | May 25, 2021 4:29:41 PM
I think this is all a giant scam. The insurance companies will use any excuse to raise policies. Everyone can go out and buy an immobilizer tomorrow and the insurance companies will just find another excuse to raise rates
J
Posted by: Jeff | May 25, 2021 5:42:19 PM
From the first two comments it appears that they have never had to deal with a stolen car and all the headaches that involves. My car has it's original equipment imobilizer on it as well as an after market alarm system/immoblizer on it. Someone I know had an attempt to have their car stolen stopped by the immobilizerthe vehicle came with and has since installed an alarm system as well. We both consider it a necessary addition to any car, even one that comes with an immobilizer.
Posted by: Anonymous | May 25, 2021 8:53:40 PM
I agree with the first two posters, and I HAVE had my car stolen. Immobilizers may help, but they can be a PITA too. For example, the other day my coworker's brand-new truck had the immobilizer fail and stopped him from starting his own vehicle. He had to have it towed, AT HIS OWN EXPENSE , to the dealer to be reset.
As for mandatory tracking devices in cars, I say no flippin' way!!! You will KNOW that Big Brother and chips in the hand are coming soon if this comes to pass. We already have way too much surveillance and government as it is. I'll take chances with losing my car rather than my freedom, thanks!
Posted by: Steve | May 26, 2021 9:16:56 AM
What a GREAT IDEA ! This will surely lower insurance premiums. Imagine, someone takes a towtruck and tows your car into an underground garage before stripping it. Tracking is useless underground and the towtruck bypasses the immobilizer. You go to make a claim on your insurance only to be advised that it is 'impossible' to steal your car as it has an immobilizer and they pay you nothing, leaving you with car payments and an 'insurance fraud' label. HURRAH cheaper insurance for everyone else !
Beats stopping the car theives and stolen cars/parts market. Heck we won't even need police anymore !
Posted by: HID Kit | Jul 28, 2021 2:58:33 AM
I want to see the car model picture. Please show..
Posted by: Mathew Robins | Oct 8, 2021 8:41:53 AM
Fraudulence in car insurance sector is a common thing these days. People fake accidents to convince the authorities that significant damage has been occurred to their vehicles and they need the insurance money to meet the expenses. This is done by filing false car accident claims.
As large amount of money is involved in car insurance, scammers often even involve innocent drivers to make the accidents look real. Here is a list of things that you can check on to avoid car insurance scams.
http://www.createfreeblogs.com/smashing/47412/