How to Get an Anti-Theft Auto Insurance Discount (2024)

You can’t steal half a car. For that reason, every unanswered auto theft results in a total loss claim, meaning that if you’re fully covered, your insurance company is left to shell out the entire cost of replacing your vehicle.

Anti-theft devices lower the risk of such an occurrence, so insurance companies are happy to see them installed. Plus, they’re happy to reward you in terms of monthly savings.

Anti-Theft Devices

Put simply, an anti-theft device is any item/system which would prevent a would-be carjacker from following through with their intentions. Not all of these will grant discounts on your insurance, but each can help force the hypothetical crook in question to rethink their ways.

Here are a few anti-theft measures you may see out there:

• Locking systems. More mechanical than technological, locking mechanisms are old-school, but they work. Some options are listed below.
• Wheel clamp: This one is a favorite of repossession specialists. If the wheel won’t spin, the car can’t move.
• Steering wheel lock: Same concept, but from the inside. If you can’t turn, there’s no point in screeching forward.
• Brake lock: If you lock your brake to stay engaged, your vehicle will remain immobile by default.
• Kill switches. These do exactly what the words imply. With the flip of a “switch,” so to speak, the engine dies. You can install these yourself or have a mechanic set one in place. The devices themselves are relatively inexpensive when compared to the risk being avoided. Certain lenders will install these, as well as subscription services like OnStar.
• Remote lock. A decade ago, it was high-tech if you had a car key with a clicker on it. Nowadays, that technology has evolved. You can connect your remote signal via smartphone, so should you forget to lock your car doors, you won’t be trudging all the way back to where you parked.
• Smart keys. Modern keys tend to operate less manually than in the past. Rather than sticking a milled slice of metal into the lock and cranking it to the left, the newest keys operate by radio frequency, lowering the likelihood that an amateur can crack your car’s code.
• Vehicle alarm system. Nobody likes being yelled at, even if the one doing the yelling is a parked automobile. Alarms are loud and embarrassing. Plus, they draw instant attention. When coupled with blinking lights, those reverberating echoes are both powerful and effective. Alarms may feel antiquated, but they’re still around because they get the job done.

While some anti-theft devices are included when you purchase your vehicle, you may be able to add devices to increase security.

How Anti-Theft Discounts in Auto Insurance Work

Most companies nowadays offer anti-theft discounts, and oftentimes, the discount is built into the price based on the anti-theft features installed by the factory. Vehicle specs are registered by VIN, from trim level to anti-theft devices, so entering your vehicle identification number is usually required in order to get a final price quote or initiate an auto policy.

Remember: this is how auto manufacturers keep their prices affordable. Your auto insurance carrier naturally has to factor the full replacement cost of the vehicle into your rate.

Adding the latest anti-theft features allows the vehicle manufacturer to mitigate some of the cost of ownership of their product. They know that insurance companies are much happier to insure vehicles that are less likely to be stolen. It’s a win-win for all parties involved, carjacker excluded.

Types of Anti-Theft Discounts

As said above, most anti-theft discounts and car alarm discounts will apply automatically based on your vehicle’s VIN. Others, however, may vary. If you’re an OnStar member, this usually grants a separate discount which may be usage-based as well.

For aftermarket installs and upgrades you’ve made post-purchase, specific auto insurance discounts won’t be offered by all manufacturers. Be sure to ask questions as you gather your quotes to find out which may apply.

Other Ways of Preventing Auto Theft

Even if it’s fully covered by your insurance company, nobody wants to ring up the proper authorities, file the paperwork, bear the stress of the search, replace the vehicle, register new insurance and taxes, and deal with the day-to-day trivialities in the meantime.

Fortunately, the constant advance of technology is making it more and more difficult to make off with a car that isn’t yours. These aren’t discount-worthy per se, but here are a few tips to keep your precious transport safe:

• Park near people. It can be tempting to park on the far side of the lot to avoid the weirdos, but one major crime deterrent nowadays is the smartphone. The threat of videos held by a myriad of witnesses can stop would-be criminals in their tracks.
• Park in well-lit areas. It makes any attempt riskier, as the culprit has a higher chance of being seen. Plus, if your vehicle is stolen, the first step is to call the authorities, at which time they will look for cameras in the area. Having a well-lit view of the suspect helps your vehicle to be retrieved sooner.
• Consider installing a GPS tracking device or signing up for a service like OnStaIf if you feel the threat of auto theft is likely in your area. This can remotely disable a stolen vehicle. You can’t always prevent unwanted action, but you can take all steps necessary to prepare and to be ready should the time come.

Find out if insurance covers you if someone breaks into your car.

The Bottom Line: Finding the Best Anti-Theft Discounts for Auto Insurance

Not all auto insurance companies are created equal. They’ll offer varying percentage discounts for the safety features which came with your vehicle when you bought it. Plus, they can have different offerings for those upgrades which came later.

Still, the anti-theft features under the hood are a single data point in a mosaic of factors that affect the overall cost of auto insurance. Your age, driving history, credit score, insurance history, location, and other personal information form part of the picture too.

Price should always factor into your decision, but don’t let it be the only measure by which insurance companies are measured. As you gather quotes, check consumer ratings. Great rates aren’t so great if you don’t feel you’re covered.

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— AutoInsurance.org (@AutoInsurance) April 12, 2023

In an emergency, who do you trust to take your call? Claims are expensive, reliable vehicles are in higher demand than usual, and even under the best of circumstances, nobody wants to spend all day on the phone with their insurance company. Remember: you aren’t just paying for insurance. You’re paying for peace of mind. If you aren’t getting what you paid for, it’s time to do some shopping around.