Choose a Combo Alarm System for a Truck
Installing a good combo alarm system in your truck is a smart investment to make. Not only does it protect your truck from being stolen wherever you go, but you may also qualify for a significant discount on your insurance rates when your vehicle is protected by an approved anti-theft device. With all of the different anti-theft devices available to consumers, choosing which one is right for your vehicle is important, so follow the steps below to learn how to choose a combo alarm system for a truck.
Steps
- Call your truck dealer to ask his advice. Your truck dealer knows your truck and has a professional overview of what types of alarm systems are available and will most likely be able to give you some specific pointers on how to choose a combo alarm system for a truck of your year and model.
- Evaluate your own anti-theft needs for your truck combo alarm system. Combo alarm systems for trucks combine multiple techniques to detect attempts at stealing your truck and sound an alert, but it's up to you to decide exactly which features you need.
- Research the best types of glass break and door contact sensors for trucks, as you will need these features.
- Read about passive arming, a feature that automatically activates the truck combo alarm system 15 to 20 seconds after you park your truck. This can be a very useful security feature.
- Look into key-less entry and remote start features. These allow you to open your truck and start it without keys. These features are rapidly becoming standard on most new models.
- Find out how 2-way communication systems work. These types of remotes alert you immediately when your truck is started so you can take action to stop your truck from being stolen.
- Establish your budget for your truck combo alarm system. With a better understanding of how the different features work, you can realistically evaluate which you need and how much you want to spend.
- Research truck combo alarm systems online or in truck magazines.
- Make a short list of the alarm systems that interest you.
- Go online. Read consumer reviews on each of the truck combo alarm systems to find out how other truck owners rate them.
- Decide whether you want to install a DIY combo alarm yourself or have a professional do it for you.
- Choose a combo alarm system for a truck that fits all your needs and matches your budget.
- Purchase your truck combo alarm system.
Tips
- Contact your insurance company to find out if you can get a discount on your premiums after installing your truck combo alarm system.
- Make sure you're confident about installing a DIY alarm system yourself. If not, it's better to spend a bit more and have a professional do it for you.
- Make sure your truck combo alarm system comes with a warranty, so you can return it if it malfunctions.
Warnings
- Don't let a non-professional install your alarm system. You hire a licensed mechanic so your engine works; you should expect the same dependability from your alarm system.
- Don't buy a used combo alarm system. If it's used, you can't be sure that it will work properly.
