Did you know that every 26 seconds a vehicle is stolen in our country? By the time you finish reading this blog, another car will have been stolen. While you can’t always prevent theft from occurring, sometimes there are things that you can do to minimize the risk.

At Insurance Doctor, we take car safety seriously. Here is a list of anti-theft devices that are available on the market to protect you and your vehicle. Prices can range from $10 to $1000 depending on the level and type of security you choose:

Steering-wheel lock: These devices go over the steering wheel and completely locks it into place. (@$25-$100)

Brand parts with your Vehicle Identification Number: Your VIN is a unique 17-digit serial number assigned to your car. Car parts with a visible VIN are a lot harder for thieves to re-sell. (@$20)

Car alarms: These are quite good at getting every one’s attention. The price on these can vary greatly. (@$150-$1,000)

Hood locks: This will prevent a thief from accessing your battery or stealing car parts. (@$20-$50)

Tire locks: Tire locks are visible and not so easy to take on and off. Not the best idea for the car you drive on a daily basis. (@$80-$200)

Kill switch: This will actually shut down part of your engine’s electrical system when activated. Be sure to check your car’s warranty, because some car makers do not allow installation. (@$10-$125)

Vehicle tracking system: This device is linked to your local law enforcement agency. A transmitter is installed in your car and is activated once a theft is reported. (@$700)

If you decide to install an anti-theft device on your vehicle, be sure to contact your automobile insurance provider. In some cases, you may qualify for a deduction in your insurance rates.

According to the 2009 National Insurance Crime Bureau Auto Theft Study, the most popular car to steal last year (2009) was the 1994 Honda Accord. At Insurance Doctor, we want to inform you of valuable automobile information to help you in the care and safety of your car and its drivers. Here is the list of the top ten most stolen vehicles in the year 2009:

1. 1994 Honda Accord
2. 1995 Honda Civic
3. 1991 Toyota Camry
4. 1997 Ford F-150
5. 2004 Dodge Ram
6. 2000 Dodge Caravan
7. 1994 Chevrolet 1500
8. 1994 Acura Integra
9. 2002 Ford Explorer
10. 2009 Toyota Corolla

As a driver, you can take precautions against having your vehicle stolen. There are multiple anti-theft devices on the market that can minimize the threat of having your car stolen. There are also items on the market that enable you to track your vehicle for quick recovery in case of theft.

In some cases, anti-theft devices on your vehicle can qualify you for special discounts on your car insurance. Call Insurance Doctor if you have any questions about our automobile policies and possible discounts that you may be eligible for.

Every state has a traffic system that assigns points, or demerits, to different types of traffic offenses. This system is used by the state’s motor vehicle department to keep track of and record the driving habits of all licensed drivers within the state. It is typically based on some type of point value.

Point values are based on the seriousness of the offense. More serious traffic violations have a higher point value and minor offenses are assigned lower points. As an example, a traffic offense such as failure to come to a complete stop at a stop sign (a rolling stop) may carry a value of two points, whereas driving thirty miles per hour over the posted speed limit (reckless driving) may carry a value of four points. This is just an example as point systems vary from state-to-state. Repercussions can occur if a driver accumulates a certain number of points within a certain time period. In addition to DMV having access to this information, insurance companies also have the ability to review this information.

At Insurance Doctor, we know that you want the best deal available for your personal automobile insurance. Whether you are a safe driver with no points on your record or if you have just a few points, you want to be sure you are getting the savings you deserve. Call us – The Insurance Doctor is ready to help.