Top 10 Anti-Theft Devices to Lower Your Car Insurance

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Article Contents
By Aren Mirzaian
Updated on May 07, 2025

4 minute read

Article Contentstable-of-contents

Vehicle theft has been a problem in Canada for many years. In 2023 alone, Canadians reported 70,475 stolen vehicles, according to the Équité Association’s 2024 auto theft report. As a result, insurance companies have had to deal with spikes in claim payouts, which have cost them millions and forced them to charge customers with higher premiums. View MyChoice’s study on the correlation between car thefts and insurance premiums here.

One of the best ways you can keep yourself safe is to invest in effective anti-theft devices that alert you about attempted break-ins and deter thieves. Keep reading to learn about the top 10 anti-theft devices that can help you steer clear of becoming a victim of car theft and lower your car insurance premiums.

Anti-Theft Devices and Car Insurance at a Glance

  • Choosing the best anti-theft device depends on the type of car you own. For example, a smart key proximity alarm is ideal for a keyless car because it sets off a loud alarm and notifies you if someone attempts to start the engine.
  • Insurance companies offer discounts ranging from 3 to 15% on monthly premiums for people who use anti-theft car devices. Reviewing your car insurance coverage plan thoroughly is advisable because your insurer could cover lock and window repairs from break-ins and even offer a rental car while authorities retrieve your car through your anti-theft tracker.
  • New cars have anti-theft devices already, so it’s a good idea to inquire upon purchasing to know exactly what you’re getting.

The Top 10 Anti-Theft Devices to Lower Your Car Insurance

There’s a lot to consider before buying an anti-theft device for your car, and seeing dozens of options on the market can get overwhelming. So, we’ve narrowed it down to a list of some of the most effective car anti-theft devices that are worth investing in.

1. Tag Tracking System

This anti-theft system sends a notification to your smartphone if someone moves your car without your permission. More importantly, it sends you live location data so you can pinpoint exactly where your car is in case it gets stolen. Read our full review of tag tracking systems here.

2. VIN Etching

VIN etching is an affordable anti-theft device for cars that involves etching the unique vehicle identification number (VIN) on its windows. This makes it less appealing to thieves because they can’t easily sell the car for parts after stealing it. Unfortunately, thieves may still break into the car and simply opt to sell the unetched parts.

3. Smart Key Proximity Alarms

Smart key proximity alarms are active anti-theft devices that can also be linked to your smartphone to immediately alert you in case your car gets broken into. They also set off a loud alarm to draw unwanted attention to the thief.

4. Kill Switches

Kill switches are a great protective device because if a thief can’t start the car, they can’t steal it. And because the switches are hidden, the engine won’t run even with attempts to hot wire or a relay attack.

5. Steering Wheel Locks

Steering wheel locks look physically intimidating and can discourage anyone from targeting your car. Investing in one that’s made out of durable material like steel may be enough to keep thieves away because they know it’ll take time and effort to even attempt to break the lock.

6. Hood Locks

If you’re particularly concerned about keeping your engine, battery, and fuse box safe, then hood locks offer excellent protection. Hood locks can only be opened with the owner’s key, so thieves will have no luck trying to steal these parts or hot-wiring the engine to start the car.

7. Window Security Film

One of the most common ways thieves break into cars is through the window. Window security film is an anti-theft device for cars that offers protection against this. It’s made out of a clear polymer film and works by keeping the shards of glass intact when someone tries to break the windows. This forces thieves to exert more effort to break in and can scare them away when paired with a security alarm.

8. Security Wheel Lug Nuts

An anti-theft device for car wheels and rims is necessary, especially if you live in Toronto or Vancouver, since these are usually targeted by thieves looking to make a quick buck. Security wheel lug nuts work by replacing one of each wheel’s lug nuts so that it can only be removed with the owner’s key.

9. Under-dash Lockboxes

If you absolutely must leave some valuables in the car, it pays to have a small under-dash lockbox. Even if a thief breaks into your car, you’ll at least have the reassurance that your most important valuables are likely safe and untouched.

10. Wireless Motion Sensor Alarm

This device has a sensor that detects vibrations in the car, like someone trying to break the car door lock or pry open the window. When it senses these movements, it alerts your smartphone, and a siren goes off to scare the thief away.

How Do Anti-Theft Devices Lower Your Car Insurance?

As mentioned, insurance companies give discounted rates on premiums for customers who have anti-theft car devices installed. Fewer car thefts mean fewer payouts for insurers, so it benefits them when their customers are proactive in reducing the risks of their cars being stolen.

Active, Passive, and Tracking Anti-Theft Devices: What’s the Difference?

Active, passive, and tracking anti-theft devices all serve different purposes in keeping your car safe. Here’s a quick rundown of how each of them is designed to protect you and the discounted rates you can receive from your insurance company.

Active anti-theft devices:

These devices need to be activated whenever you leave the car and protect it against multiple threats from thieves. You can expect around a 5-10% discount on your car insurance premiums when you have them installed.

Passive anti-theft devices:

Devices that you only need to install once, like VIN etching or window film. Similar to active anti-theft devices, they help prevent your car from being stolen but don’t notify you of break-ins, which is why insurers usually only offer a 3-7% insurance discount.

Tracking anti-theft devices:

These devices are your final line of defence against thieves. If both your active and passive devices fail to stop them, you can still locate your car through the device’s GPS tracker. Although it may require you to pay subscription fees, it’s an excellent anti-theft device for car insurance because it can get you a huge discount of up to 15%.

Anti-Theft Devices- What’s the Difference

Car Thefts Have Slowly Been Declining Nationwide

With the collective effort of national agencies and increased public vigilance, auto theft crime rates decreased in 2024 by 18.6%. Read our opinion piece on what this means for car insurance premiums.

Key Advice from MyChoice

  • Remain vigilant about where you park and avoid keeping unprotected valuables visible in the car, especially if you’ll be gone for a while. Parking in a well-lit area with security cameras or along a busy street helps decrease the chances of thieves targeting your car in the first place.
  • Invest in more than one anti-theft device to create multiple layers of security. This will also help you get the highest discount possible on your car insurance fees. Consult your insurance provider to clarify how you can max out stacked discounts to get the car insurance rates with the best security for your car.
  • Make sure that your anti-theft tracking device is registered with the police so that you are verified as the owner of the car, and they are automatically notified if your car has been stolen. This will also help you validate your claims with your insurer to get your payout more easily.

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