Ford theft deterrent system reduces vehicle insurance rates

THORNHILL, Ont., – A Canadian-made security system found on most Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars and trucks is so effective in preventing vehicle theft, insurers have begun offering rate discounts to owners of these vehicles.

At its annual automotive forum held here, the Vehicle Information Centre of Canada said Ford’s SecuriLock™ is the first system to meet its anti-theft standard. Many insurers, such as Canada Life Casualty, will soon respond with lower comprehensive insurance rates.

Tom O’Sullivan, vice president and Actuary, Canada Life Casualty, said a SecuriLockä-equipped 1999 Ford Windstar, for example, attracts at least a 33 percent lower annual comprehensive premium than a comparable vehicle without SecuriLockä. "On average, owners of vehicles equipped with SecuriLockä can potentially save hundreds of dollars in premiums over the life of the vehicle."

"SecuriLock™ gives our customers peace of mind and reduces the cost of vehicle insurance," explains Gilles Contant, Ford of Canada’s vice president, Customer Service.

SecuriLock™ is sourced from several suppliers including Visteon Automotive Services, a division of the Ford Motor Company, in Markham, Ont.. The no-extra-charge, factory-installed system will be standard equipment on 88 percent of the Ford, Mercury and Lincoln vehicles during the 2000 model year. In all, some 240,000 retail customers may benefit from lower premiums.

The key to SecuriLockä is found…in the key! Each key contains an encoded microchip with one of 72 quadrillion possible codes. Wireless technology instantly sends the code to SecuriLockä the moment the driver turns the key to start the engine. The engine computer will only start the engine upon receiving the correct key code, thus common theft methods of hot wiring, using a false key or removing the ignition cylinder are rendered ineffective.

"SecuriLock™ has met the Vehicle Insurance Centre of Canada’s rigorous anti-theft standard...the first such system to do so," said Henning Norup, president and chief operating officer, Insurance Information Centre of Canada. "As a result, we have adjusted the national insurance rating tables for vehicles where SecuriLock™ is standard equipment."

The National Insurance Crime Bureau reports thefts of the Ford Mustang GT are down 42 percent and there has been a similar reduction in other models. In recent years it has become increasingly rare to find any Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models on "Most Stolen Cars" lists in North America.