Your automobile is a big investment, so you want to make sure your asset remains yours. With that in mind, here are a few simple steps to protect your vehicle from being stolen.

Layer #1 - How to Protect your Auto Using Common Sense

Be smart and keep your car locked at all times. An open door is an open invitation to any thief, regardless of whether you have a car anti-theft device or not. The common sense approach to protection is the simplest and most cost-effective way to keep your possessions safe.

Layer #2 - Warning Device and Car Anti-Theft Devices

The second layer to protect your auto is a visible or audible car anti-theft device, one which alerts thieves that your vehicle is protected. These include audible alarms, steering column collars, steering wheel locks, wheel locks and brake locks.

Layer #3 - Immobilizing Device

The third layer to protect your auto is a car anti-theft device. It should be one that prevents thieves from bypassing your ignition and hot-wiring the vehicle. Some of these electronic devices even have computer chips built into the ignition keys. Other devices inhibit the flow of electricity or fuel to the engine until a button or switch is activated. Popular third-layer devices include kill switches, smart keys, fuse cut-offs, starter/ignition and fuel disablers.

Layer # 4 - Tracking Device

The final layer of protection is a vehicle tracking device that emits a signal to a police or monitoring station when a vehicle is reported stolen. Tracking devices are very effective in helping authorities recover stolen vehicles, but they do nothing to prevent them from being taken in the first place.

Follow these protective car anti-theft procedures and reduce the chances of falling victim to a thief. They might even reduce your auto insurance costs along the way.

To save money on your car insurance, make sure to shop around for the lowest rates to protect your auto. A fast and easy way to do this is to use the online questionnaire at InsWeb.com . All you have to do is answer some questions, then, insurance companies will contact YOU with their best quotes.