Let’s pretend that you’re sitting in a nice restaurant enjoying a meal, when all of a sudden from outside you hear the loud “whoop whoop whoop” of a car alarm. One of two things will happen - you’ll either think to yourself, “There goes someone’s stupid car alarm,” or you’ll run out of the restaurant with your napkin tucked into your pants to make sure it’s not your car that’s screaming. Not too long ago, the first scenario would have been the familiar one; but, in recent years, more and more consumers are equipping their car with some sort of security or anti-theft device.

Buying a new car with a pre-installed security or anti-theft device, or even having one installed on your existing car, makes sense from a couple of different perspectives. But, for many consumers, the primary reasons to consider it are peace of mind, and the potential savings that lead to cheap auto insurance premiums.

There are four basic types of security devices. The first and simplest is an anti-theft mechanism which limits the car’s movement by locking the steering wheel or the brake, or a combination of both. An alarm system which activates a piercing sound or causes the cars lights to flash is the second type. The third type of anti-theft system involves the installation of a tracking device, which can be activated by the police or the security company; the problem with this system is that you actually have to be aware that your car is missing. Finally, the electronic immobilizer, which shuts off the car’s ignition system, is often considered the crème de la crème of protection.

Some of the devices are automatically turned on when you turn off the ignition or lock the doors; these passive security devices work exceptionally well, especially if you occasionally have memory lapse issues. Other security devices need to be turned on by you either by flicking a switch or pressing a button; effective, but only if you remember to set them.

Most car insurance companies offer a discount for installation of anti-theft devices, but it’s important for you to check with your insurance carrier to determine which device will yield you the best savings while still offering you the best protection. In general, though, you can expect to see savings up to 25% or even 30% by having a security system installed. Some insurance companies may require evidence of purchase and/or installation, so be sure to keep all of your receipts.