The area in which you live does impact the cost of you automotive insurance. It may seem a bit unfair, but it�s true. Locations that have higher crime rates tend to also have higher automotive insurance rates.

Of course, there probably aren�t too many people out there who are willing to shop for a new home in a completely new area, put their houses up for sale, and leave town just to save money on automotive insurance, and that�s completely understandable. That�s why we�re going to offer some tips on how you can possibly lower the cost of your automotive insurance and keep your home.

First, take a look at your vehicle. Was it expensive? Is it flashy? Is it a vehicle that many people would love to drive but can�t afford? If so, your vehicle is at risk for being stolen or burglarized. Vehicles that aren�t at risk for being stolen or burglarized tend to get lower automotive insurance rates. Consider trading your flashy car in for a more subtle ride.

Then, and this is especially important for those of you who aren�t willing to trade your cars in, take a look at your safety components. Do you have any kind of anti-theft system for your vehicle? Having one of these will not only protect your car from being stolen, but it will also protect your valuables inside, i.e., some crook won�t come along and break the window to get your CD collection. This means your automotive insurance rates could be lower since your insurance company won�t have to worry too much about replacing windows.

Finally, take a look at where you park your vehicle. On the side of the street? In a back alley? Consider parking your vehicle in a safe, well-lit, and guarded parking garage. Your insurance company will appreciate your effort to protect your car, and they might just reward you with lower automotive insurance rates.

A new car security system that identifies car owners through the Bluetooth element of their mobile phones is set to revolutionise the fight against car thieves. Auto-txt immediately identifies a car as stolen if the car is started with the keys but the mobile phone is not present. This unique feature allows a Bluetooth enabled device, such as a phone or PDA, to authenticate the vehicle owner, providing an enhanced level of security.

Auto-txt incorporates Bluetooth Intelligent Serial Modules from London based company, EZURiO, which pair with the driver’s mobile phone to provide a second “key” for the car. EZURiO has been working with Auto-txt in developing and refining the implementation of Bluetooth wireless technology.

Chris Cole, Engineering Director of Auto-txt, says: “The use of Bluetooth wireless technology underpins the Auto-txt system, enabling us to provide increased security for drivers and help in the fight against car crime.”

“Working with EZURiO has been great as the team there were able to provide both the technical support we needed and a Bluetooth module that works reliably across the range of available Bluetooth mobile phones and PDAs.”

Auto-txt is the first stolen vehicle protection and tracking system to have been awarded Thatcham’s Category 5 accreditation, the new insurance industry standard that is supported by the police. Thatcham is the motor insurance industry research centre which aims to develop research and standards which contain or reduce the cost of motor insurance claims.

Auto-txt has been selected by Jaguar Cars and Land Rover to supply car tracking and security systems for all their vehicles from 2006. The systems, called Jaguar Watch and Land Rover Watch, will be available in the UK and across Europe. It is the first time the prestige car manufacturers will be offering a stolen vehicle tracking system in their own name.

Auto-txt, which is available now for car owners, has been developed by the RDM Group, a Coventry based automotive supplier that has just raised funds of £4.75 million to further develop and roll out the system.

Auto-txt is the latest of a wide range of innovative solutions in the automotive industry that EZURiO has enabled with their Bluetooth modules. EZURiO’s modules offer exceptional ease of use and performance, along with the environmental requirements that are vital for the automotive sector. [PRWEB]