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Why You Should Spend More Time Thinking About Anti-Theft Devices?

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Published on June 12, 2021. EST READ TIME: 3 minutes

Cars, no matter the make or model, always remain an invaluable asset to the owner. Apart from the emotional attachment, car purchase and ownership involve hefty investment. In the case of a robbery, it can lead to huge financial losses apart from the world of heartache caused to an owner. Since these robberies mostly occur in poorly lit and unguarded areas, especially during the pandemic, simply locking the car will not work. One can consider investing in a car anti-theft device (ATD) for maximum safety. An ARAI-accredited anti-theft device will not only protect the vehicle but positively impact the insurance a car owner would pay.

Let us understand the reasons why these anti-theft devices should be installed:

1. Deters theft: Prevention is better than cure, always. Installing anti-theft devices in your car immediately deters potential robbers from stealing your vehicle. It may alert you, identify them, and in some cases, prevent theft as well. Thieves would go for the unprotected, easy-to-get-into cars than one with state-of-the-art alarm and immobilization systems.

2. Stops theft: Breaking into a car is a time-consuming process. In the process of doing so, if thieves trip your alarm system, it is likely to alarm the neighbourhood nearby, stopping the theft immediately. On the other hand, if they are able to start the vehicle and move away from the location, remote immobilization systems can jam the steering wheel and switch off the engine, leaving them stranded and exposed to the potential threat of being caught.

3. Reduces car insurance premium: Insurers are obligated to pay you for damage to the car or theft under general conditions, as laid out in terms of the agreement. While it is doubtlessly prudent to avail car insurance, the insurer might factor in discounts when calculating car insurance premium if you install anti-theft devices or make no claims. Installing these devices tells the insurer that you are proactive about your vehicle's security and is less likely to be stolen. You get the No Claim Bonus as well as the discounts by installing these devices.

4. Seamless claim settlement: In case of an unfortunate event, the insurer will view you in a sympathetic light since they know that you had gone through the trouble of installing car anti-theft devices, and yet the vehicle got stolen. When they know that you are a credible and responsible being, your claims will be settled without hiccups.

5. Avoiding inconvenience: In case of car theft, you need to go to a police station, file a First Information Report (FIR), and then contact the insurance company to prove your claim. With anti-theft devices, you can avoid these proceedings altogether if you can track down your vehicle easily in case it does get stolen or prevent the theft in the first place.

6. Safety Net: As long as you have car insurance with the right add-on, even if your vehicle is a total loss, you will get the Insured Declared Value (IDV) of the vehicle and not the amount you had paid for it. The IDV takes into account standard depreciation while also eliminating certain components from its consideration. All you have to do is buy an Invoice Protection add-on to get this benefit. However, to prevent this scenario altogether, anti-theft devices can help immensely.

What kind of anti-theft devices can you get?

• Dash Cam: Installed on your dashboard, these cameras can monitor your car 24x7, providing clear, crisp footage even at night. It can also come with sensors that detect sudden movement, broken windows, etc., to provide comprehensive protection.

• Immobilizers: Steering lock, tyre lock, and gear lock are some of the mechanical immobilizers one can use. Electronic immobilizers include the kill switch and car key protector to help prevent the engine from starting/restarting.

• Alarm and Tracking: Car alarm systems are sound-based anti-theft solutions. If they detect a break-in attempt, they will go off, alerting the neighbourhood in case of possible theft. A GPS tracking system will offer the car's real-time location, allowing you to find it easily if it gets stolen.

Our word of advice? No matter your preferred choice of ATD, ensure that you buy devices approved by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI).

Key Takeaway

As mentioned above, your car insurance premium calculation gets a boost with anti-theft devices. While third party car insurance is mandatory, a comprehensive policy with anti-theft devices installed will prove to be more cost-effective and stress-free in the long run.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

This blog has been written by:

S. Gopalakrishnan | Motor Insurance Expert | 40+ years of experience in insurance industry

A veteran in insurance industry. S. Gopalakrishnan is a name to reckon with in the field of reinsurance, he has headed the Reinsurance department and has rich experience in other fields of motor insurance. He loves to share his opinion on latest topics in the insurance industry and how he can help people in safeguarding their assets using insurance products.

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Few Other Articles:

• What is anti-lock braking system?

• Steps to prevent your car from getting stolen

• Save your car and on your insurance premium with anti-theft device

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