Anyone have either? Do you think window etching your VIN really deters theives? Couldn't they just replace your windows, or chop everything else? Does anyone have insurance that will give you an etching discount?

How about GAP? The amount owed on a loan less the value paid by insurance. My insurance offers 25% value GAP towards the remaining loan for $35/year.

I found a site that offers full GAP coverage for $300 (pay in full) and an etching kit for $50 more. For my 5 year loan that's $60 year. Plan on paying sooner, maybe 4 years = $75 year.

Found another site for etching $20 basic or $35 kit . 35 includes 15 labels for parts, great for all your mods.

Thinking I'll at leat get a VIN kit.

 

Gap is really nice cause cars dont hold there value and if something happens the second year you own a new car then you are out a couple of thousand of dollars if you got your car at invoice. I totaled a car this winter because of the weather conditions and it really sucks to owe a thousand dollars on something you cant drive.

Ill i can just say is that is nice not to owe anyone any money after a total.

Instead of gap through your insurance try to get it through you loan company. I have a 3yr loan on my max and the gap is only 200$ over the life of the loan.

 

In NY, the NYPD does VIN etching for free. You just have to make an appointment.

 

for the loan gap, i had to get it at the purchase date only. wasn't eveb offered to me. $300 at http://www.autoetch.net/ is 90 days of purchase. Had it barely over 30 days, so don't quyalify for others.

I'd rather pay $20 to etch myself than drive to NY. probably only free for residents anyway.

Going to search for insurance with etching discount, dobt will find any. Read some states require insurance to discount for etched cars.

 

I have VIN etching that was on the car when I bought it. It's hard to say if it's a deterrent or not. Smart people would not buy a stolen part from anyone but I'm sure that you could buy an etched part from a salvage yard that came from a totaled car. If I were to buy such a part, I would make sure I got a detailed receipt for it from the salvage yard.

 

I'm not saying to come to NY. Just ask your local PD if they offer that service.

It's not a deterrant as much as it is an insurance break.

 

I know you're not saying that. Sorry, over 24 hrs no sleep. My state police has dates set up. Guess I'll wait til Sept 20 to get it free. My current insur. doesn't care, one I'm looking at for next year does.

Then I might get the $20 parts labels. http://www.autoetch.net/vinlabelkits.htm

thanks for the tip.

 

Info I'll let my girlfriend know since she just got a new Rav4 back in April. The dealer offered it to us for ~$120 but I declined it since I saw it as nothing more than an unnecessary upcharge. My friend got his Rav4 back in December 2003 from NJ and wasn't so fortunate. He said the dealer "claimed" it was a requirement... that and the $100 "application" fee

Do I just call my local precinct or is there a special number / place I go to get this done? And is the insurance savings only for new cars or my "old & busted" eligible too?

 

In NJ, it seems all cars at dealerships get it... no questions asked... might be a state thing or not... you just get charged for it