OIP News - The Best Defense Against Auto Thieves... Immobilizers
Vehicle theft can be an extremely traumatic event – emotionally, physically, and financially. In addition to the pain of the loss, there’s also the time required to fill out police reports and deal with your insurance company.
The best defence? Avoiding theft by a National Standard of Canada approved immobilizer.
Immobilizers are electronic devices incorporated into the circuitry of the automobile that automatically disrupt the power to the starter motor, ignition, and fuel pump circuits, making it impossible to start the vehicle without the key. While no measure can completely prevent theft (keys can be stolen or the vehicle can be towed and later stripped for parts), immobilizers are the best deterrent against criminals.
Most new vehicles come equipped with a National Standard of Canada approved immobilizer. To find out if your vehicle already has an immobilizer, click this link: http://www.ibc.ca/en/Insurance_Crime/documents/immobilizers/TDS_APPROVED_E.pdf. If you do not have an immobilizer, you can have one installed. When you do so, be sure to contact your insurance company, as many companies provide a discount for client installed immobilizers.
When you purchase a vehicle with an immobilizer already installed, this is factored into the price of your insurance through the vehicle rating system (referred to as Canadian Loss Experience Rating). While it may not appear to be a direct discount on your insurance, it is already included into your overall insurance price – as you pay less to ensure your vehicle with an immobilizer than you would for the same make/model without an immobilizer.
Source: Insurance Bureau of Canada
Want to Know More?
Call us toll free 1.888.681.2862, or via email at ovma@csib.org. The OIP is administered by Cornerstone Insurance Brokers, Ltd.