Common sense and a layered combination of anti-theft devices is recommended to help prevent your vehicle from being stolen. All vehicle theft prevention equipment helps deter criminals. Many anti-theft devices are also effective in protecting your vehicle from burglaries and vandalism. The following are types of anti-theft devices that can be used to protect your vehicle.

Steering Wheel Lock:
A long metal bar with a lock that fits on the steering wheel and is designed to prevent the steering wheel from being turned. Also acts as a visual deterrent for thieves looking in car windows and may prevent air bag theft.
Cost range: $25 to $100
Benefits: Inexpensive way to keep would-be thieves away; especially good device to use when "layering" protection.

Car Alarms:
Typically equipped with motion sensors, impact sensors and a loud siren or series of tones in the 120-decibel range.
Cost range: $150 to $1,000
Benefits: The best alarms arm themselves automatically when you leave the vehicle and include an automatic kill switch. The best models also flash the headlights and honk the horn in addition to sounding a siren.

Kill Switches:
A hidden switch that needs to be flipped on for the car to start, otherwise preventing the flow of electricity or fuel to the engine. (Also growing in popularity: starter disabler.)
Cost range: $10 to $125
Benefits: Inexpensive and easy to install.

Electronic Tracking Devices:
An electronic transmitter hidden in the vehicle emits a signal that is picked up by the police or a monitoring station.
Cost range: $400 to $1,500
Benefits: Very effective in helping authorities recover vehicles before they can be stripped or chopped up.

Electronic Keys:
Pre-installed electronic anti-theft systems that allow the vehicle to operate only with a correctly coded key.
Cost range: Standard equipment on some cars.
Benefits: Systems are easy to use and reliable.

Tire Locks:
Similar to the circular steel "boots" used by many larger city police departments; make the car nearly impossible to move.
Cost range: $80 to $200
Benefits: Greatly hamper thieves looking for a "quick getaway;" also provides a strong visual deterrent and a formidable challenge for would-be car thieves.

Window Etching:
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) etched onto the windows -- as well as other parts of the car -- to discourage thieves and aid in recovering the vehicle if it is stolen.
Cost range: $20 to $100
Benefits: Makes your vehicle less attractive to thieves since chop shop rings thrive on vehicles that have easily removable VINs or none etched on at all.

Theft Deterrent Decals:
Typical decals identify the vehicle as protected by either an alarm system or a national theft prevention company.
Cost range: $2 to $5
Benefits: Inexpensive way to bluff a car thief.

(Information provided by USAA Magazine and the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Unit)