VIN Etch helps deter auto theft

[PROZAC]

VIN Etch helps deter auto theft

Many law enforcement agencies and insurance companies believe that etching a vehicle identification number (VIN) on an auto's windshield and window glass is a significant theft deterrent. Thieves have difficulty selling a car with VIN etching and usually pass them up in favor of un-etched cars.

Some insurance companies, including AAA, offer discounts off their premium for VIN Etching.

After your car has been etched, we'll give you a completed form to submit to your insurance company for proof of protection. VIN Etching usually takes 30 minutes or less and is safe for your car.

The etching, which costs $15 for AAA members and $20 for nonmembers, includes eight etchings per vehicle. (Additional etchings are $1.50 each.) VIN Etch dates occur during the Spring through early December. For more information, please call (314) 523-7350 Ext 6821.

Missouri
May 5 KC Broadway
May 12 South County
May 13 Rolla
May 18 Springfield
June 15 Joplin
June 16 West County
June 24 Cape Girardeau

Mississippi
May 25 Jackson Kansas
June 7 Metcalf
Louisiana
April 26 Metairie
April 28 Baton Rouge
May 18 Slidell
June 15 Shreveport
June 22 Baton Rouge

Illinois
May 4 Swansea

Arkansas
May 3 Little Rock
June 8 Conway

 

[Good Times]

If you look closely at your windows, toyota already does this for you for FREE.

 

[EDGE]

What BS, it's just another way for the dealer to charge you 300 bucks for nothing, then you get a 10 dollar savings on the insurance.

They don't steal cars for the glass, they break the glass to get into the cars, when the last time someone said hey they stole my car but they found it, all the glass was gone

The etching can be buffed off or etched over with more acid plus aftermarket glass is cheap to replace the glass that is broken.

 

[toybox]

What BS, it's just another way for the dealer to charge you 300 bucks for nothing, then you get a 10 dollar savings on the insurance.

I don't think it is effective either but the original post said that it cost $15 to $20 to get it done, not $300.

 

[Sac State]

I don't think it is effective either but the original post said that it cost $15 to $20 to get it done, not $300.

I think Edge meant the selling dealer. My dealer charges $297 for VIN etch. I ordered a kit online and did it all for $25 plus 30 minutes.

And the kit literature clearly stated that this VIN etch will not prevent theft. But, the thinking goes, that if the thief has to remove all the etched windows the replacement cost of that glass is roughly $1K, which is $1K less than the thief will receive. So in theory the thief looks for unetched vehicles and can pocket an additional $1K.

You can smear out the VIN with additional acid, so it is really a no brainer, it is like wheel locks. They give you a false sense of security.

This option is hideously marked up by any dealer.

 

[MeddlingKids]

I think Edge meant the selling dealer. My dealer charges $297 for VIN etch. I ordered a kit online and did it all for $25 plus 30 minutes.

And the kit literature clearly stated that this VIN etch will not prevent theft. But, the thinking goes, that if the thief has to remove all the etched windows the replacement cost of that glass is roughly $1K, which is $1K less than the thief will receive. So in theory the thief looks for unetched vehicles and can pocket an additional $1K.

You can smear out the VIN with additional acid, so it is really a no brainer, it is like wheel locks. They give you a false sense of security.

This option is hideously marked up by any dealer.

I had the etching done on my Civic Si when I bought it back in '00. When the car was stolen, the dealership gave me $5000 in addition to what the insurance paid out for the vehicle. It was a worthwhile expenditure.

 

[Thai]

I had the etching done on my Civic Si when I bought it back in '00. When the car was stolen, the dealership gave me $5000 in addition to what the insurance paid out for the vehicle. It was a worthwhile expenditure.

Yup, that's true...there's actually a warranty that goes along with the etching. So, it's worth it IMO.

 

[bryancos]

You can get DIY kits that allow you to do this on glass and auto body parts for about $20...

http://www.autoetch.net/

 

[toybox]

You can get DIY kits that allow you to do this on glass and auto body parts for about $20...

http://www.autoetch.net/

But does this kit offer the warranty like stated above?

I wonder if the service offered by AAA includes a warranty also.

If that is the case, for $15 to $25 I think it is worth it.

 

[CVsGX470]

My father in law is a Senior Executive for a major insurance company and he insists that my wife and I do this to our cars. He gets the kits free however.

CV