Car Owners Are Using GPS Technology to Keep Their Cars From Getting Stolen
It’s 3 a.m. Do you know where your car is? Hopefully, it’s in the garage or wherever you last parked. But if not, then it could be stolen, which means that you can report it and hope that it will be returned to you in one piece. However, many car owners nowadays are turning to a much more technologically advanced way to keep track of their car’s whereabouts.
GPS tracking is an effective way to keep tabs on your car
Considering the car theft rate is increasing across the nation year after year, it’s important to take whatever measures necessary to keep your vehicle safe. Many car owners are using GPS trackers to keep tabs on their cars. Some of these systems are built-in while other systems can be purchased in the aftermarket.
If you currently own a Ford, Hyundai, or GM vehicle, then you can utilize the car’s built-in OnStar, FordPass Connect, or Hyundai Blue Link to track your vehicle. There is typically an added monthly fee to access the tracking features on these devices, however, it’s well worth the added cost.
If your vehicle doesn’t have factory-installed GPS tracking software, then you can find a reputable car audio and alarm installer in your area to have an aftermarket device installed in your car. The device is typically installed in your car’s dashboard and wired directly into its wiring system. Some devices even allow you to shut down the car at will from an app on your phone. Just remember that some of these devices require a monthly subscription as well.
A GPS tracker is helpful in other ways
While installing a GPS tracker in your car is a great tool for protecting it against theft, it can also be used in other circumstances. For example, if you have a teenager that likes to borrow the car from time to time, then you’ll be able to track their whereabouts straight from your phone. Also, if you have a significant other that may be involved in nefarious affairs, then you can technically use it for that too. However, it’s more than likely that they’re just stuck in traffic and will be late coming home from work, so don’t worry.
As an added plus, you may be able to receive a discount on your auto insurance if your car is equipped with a GPS tracker.
Here are a few examples of aftermarket GPS trackers
If you’re in the market for a GPS tracker, then there are many of them listed on Amazon.com. Here are a few top picks from Forbes that don’t require professional installation, but require a monthly subscription fee:
Bouncie GPS tracker: $77 + $8/month fee
- Easily plugs into the vehicle’s OBD port
- Notifies you of any accidents
- Refreshes data every 15 seconds
- Provides roadside assistance
- Allows geofencing perimeter and alerts when it’s crossed
LandSeaAir 54 GPS tracker: $30 + $20/month fee
- One of the least expensive trackers on the market
- Battery lasts up to three weeks
- Magnetic case allows you to stick it almost anywhere on the car
- Waterproof
Optimus 2.0: $40 + $20/month
- Provides notifications when the vehicle moves
- There’s an SOS button that allows you to call for help
- Allows you to create geofence zones of any shape
- Sends data to your phone every 60 seconds
As we can see, there are plenty of good reasons to install a GPS tracker on your car if you want to keep it and your family safe. For a low price of entry and a low monthly fee, there are plenty of trackers that can be had for cheap. Just make sure to do your research beforehand and find the best one for your car and your budget.
