8 Reasons You Need a GPS Tracker for Your Car 

It’s safe to say that cars are a part of life for Americans. Not only do 90% of all households have a vehicle, 58% have two or more.

With that in mind, protecting your car is a must. While insurance helps with things like car theft, medical bills, or repairing your car after an accident, there’s a simple device that can help you protect and keep tabs on your car and its drivers: a GPS tracker. 

While some may think that putting a GPS tracker in a car is generally only something spies do in movies, there are plenty of reasons to put a vehicle tracking device in your car. Here’s why.

What does a GPS tracker do?

A GPS tracker for your car is a small device that plugs into your car and uses GPS (Global Positioning System) to pinpoint the vehicle’s location.

Depending on the tracker, it may also have other features that monitor the overall health and performance of the vehicle, keep track of speed and other driving habits, and even send you alerts if your car has been moved or tampered with.

Benefits of a GPS tracker for your car

Now that you have a basic idea of what a vehicle tracking device can do (and not do), take a look at the top reasons a GPS tracker is a smart idea.

1. Find out where your vehicle is at any given time

The main function of a GPS car tracker is to provide the vehicle’s location. There are many situations where this can come in handy. For example, if you go to a parking spot and find your car gone, you can use your GPS tracker to see if it was towed. Or, maybe your spouse or teen was supposed to be home an hour ago and you want to find out where they are.

 

2. Get help in an emergency

Most would agree that getting help quickly in an emergency is the most important benefit of a GPS tracker. With a vehicle tracking device, if you are stranded or in an accident, you’ll be able to tell emergency personnel exactly where you are located. This is particularly important if you’re in an unfamiliar area.

3. Monitor your teens

Parents of teen drivers often worry about the safety of their kids behind the wheel. Lack of experience driving and greater likelihood of speeding are some of the factors that make motor vehicle accidents the leading cause of death for teens in the U.S. Or, you may wonder where they are if they’re late on their way home.

If you have a newly-licensed teen driver, a GPS tracker that also provides trip statistics can help parents monitor driving and address issues with their teens.

4. Recover a stolen vehicle faster

More than 748,000 vehicles are stolen every day. In many cases, car thieves don’t even have to break in or hot wire a car—the owners leave their keys or key fob inside, making their vehicle an easy target. With a GPS car tracker, you can provide law enforcement with the location of your car, increasing the likelihood you’ll get it back after it was stolen.

5. Get trip details and statistics

Some vehicle tracking devices also provide trip details and statistics, such as date and time a trip was started, how far your car was driven, and average speed. It even tracks potentially unsafe habits, like harsh braking or rapid acceleration. This useful information can give you insight into the driving habits of yourself or family members.

6. Get diagnostics on your vehicle

In addition to trip details and statistics, the more advanced GPS trackers also help you monitor the overall health of your vehicle, providing diagnostics for your car or reminding you when it’s time to get routine maintenance. It can also alert you to more serious issues, so you know when it's time to take your car to the mechanic.

7. Know immediately if your car is tampered with

A more advanced GPS tracking device will also alert you on your smartphone if your car is moved, towed, or even bumped in the parking lot so you can act quickly. You can be in the know no matter where you are.

8. Integrate with your security system

Some security systems and cameras, like the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro, work to protect your vehicles. If your car is parked at home and a potential thief or vandal lingers too long, the Outdoor Camera Pro will then deter the thief with a warning light and sound, letting them know they’ve been spotted and are being recorded.

Given how much we rely (and spend) on our vehicles, it makes sense that we want to protect our investments—and the ones driving. With a home security system, you can do both.

GPS Tracker FAQs

Still have some questions about GPS car trackers? Here are some of the most common questions we receive.

Can you put a GPS tracker on a car?

Most GPS trackers can be easily installed by inserting the tracker into your car's OBD-II port, which is usually located under your vehicle's dashboard or glove box. All cars made after 1996 have an OBD-II port. Installation is fast and easy and does not require tools or wiring. 

How much does a car GPS tracker cost?

The cost of the GPS tracker will depend on its features, but you can expect to spend around $200 for a high-quality tracking device. Additionally, most GPS trackers have a nominal monthly subscription fee. 

Protect your home and car with Vivint

A Vivint system is whole-home protection for you and your family. From door and window sensors that let you know any time an entrance to your home is breached to the Outdoor Camera Pro that can intelligently protect your car while it's parked in your driveway, you can rest easy knowing that Vivint has you covered.

See for yourself how a Vivint system can help you protect your car and home. Contact our Smart Home Pros today at 800.646.1469 for a free quote on a Vivint system.