Car alarms

At first glance, the selection of car alarms can be overwhelming to a consumer, but after a careful consideration of the different car alarm types, the choice can be easy. Having an alarm in a vehicle can greatly enhance the protection of one's vehicle, and many car insurance companies offer discounts for covered vehicles that are armed with an alarm of some type.

The Two Branches

There are two branches of car alarms that further break down into specific types. These two branches are Passive and Active car alarms. It is important for the consumer to consider which type of alarm fits their lifestyle and their needs the best. Passive alarms are simple, basic, and require virtually no driver interaction. Active alarms often include passive systems, have more fancy and intricate tools and settings, and require the driver to arm the active system. Below is a breakdown of the basic types of systems available in each branch.

The Passive Alarm

A passive alarm is just as it sounds. It passively arms in the background and does not require being set. In one type of passive alarm, when the driver shuts off the ignition, locks the doors and exits the vehicle, the alarm is armed. Then, if a door is opened, the alarm is set off, which usually includes the horn sounding and the headlights flashing. The alarm shuts itself off after a certain amount of time, or when the driver places the key in the ignition. Though a good alarm for someone who fears they may forget to arm a system when they exit the vehicle, this passive alarm has a few downsides. The alarm only activates when the door is opened, not when glass is broken. Also, if a passenger initially decides to wait in the vehicle, then decides to exit after the driver has locked the doors, the passenger will set off the alarm when exiting the vehicle. This system can be a bit of an annoyance, but offers a good deal of convenience.

The Active Alarm

There are many choices of active alarm systems, and these systems usually combine a passive alarm with the passive one in case the driver forgets to arm the alarm. Active alarms usually involve one or a combination of these types of security: Window Alarms (activate when a window is broken), Door Alarms (are set off when a door is opened), Pressure Alarms (respond to a change in air pressure inside the vehicle), Shock Alarms (react to the vehicle being shaken or jiggled). Active alarms also usually include other useful tools, such as remote ignition which allows the driver to start the vehicle from afar.

The bottom line is that no alarm is perfect, but any alarm is beneficial in deterring thieves and saving the driver money on insurance. They are definitely worth considering.