GPS Car Tracking: Prevent Vehicle Theft & Increase Recovery Chances

GPS tracking is most effective before your car is stolen. A built-in tracker greatly increases the chances of recovery and reduces the risk of a total loss. This guide explains how GPS car tracking works, which preventive measures help stop theft, and what your car insurance covers if theft occurs.

Note: without GPS tracking, the chances of recovering a stolen vehicle are much lower, and insurers often wait 30 days before processing a claim.

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GPS tracking is a great way to find your stolen car. A SIM card sends a signal to a satellite, allowing you to see exactly where your car is, anywhere in the world. GPS tracking is useful when your car is stolen, but it's even better if you also take preventative measures. For example, you can reduce the risk of car theft by keeping an eye on a few (small) things when you park your car.

Can I install GPS tracking in my car?

Yes, GPS tracking can be installed in any car because it uses the OBD2 connector, which is found in all cars. The tracker runs on the car's own power. If the power fails, the internal battery takes over. If the thief tries to remove the tracker, you'll receive an immediate notification on the mobile device where the app is active.

Ways to reduce the risk of theft

In 2025, 7,497 passenger vehicles were stolen, a 12% increase compared to 2024. As a result, the total cost of claims rose sharply by 38% to over €127 million, with an average claim per vehicle of €17,061. Owners of the Toyota RAV4 in particular need to be vigilant; with 387 thefts, this model was once again the most sought-after target. We are also seeing dramatic increases for the Kia Sportage (+119%) and the Toyota Yaris Cross (+371%), which underlines the need for additional security measures such as GPS tracking.

There are a number of things you can do to reduce the risk of car theft:

  • Perform a proper car locking routine, including checking the door;
  • Remove valuables from view;
  • Make sure any burglar sees that there is nothing to steal from your car;
  • Park the car in a place with plenty of light;
  • Park the car in a place where relatively many people can pass by;
  • Install an additional immobilizer in the car to make it more difficult for criminals;
  • Do you have a keyless entry key? Don't hang it near the front door, as the signal can be picked up there. To block the signal, you can store the key in a tin.

Notable burglary trends in 2026: High-tech theft vs. the Bluetooth scanner

Car thieves’ techniques have become far more sophisticated in recent years. Whereas we used to warn people mainly about leaving valuables in plain sight, at Autoglas Concurrent we are now seeing a new, invisible threat: the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi scanner.

It’s a report we receive every week: the luggage was neatly hidden from view under the parcel shelf or the boot cover, yet the window was still smashed. How do thieves know there’s something there? Simple. They walk past the car with a scanner that picks up signals from laptops, tablets or phones in standby mode. Our top tip: never leave electronics behind, but if you really have no choice, switch Bluetooth and Wi-Fi off completely (not just to standby). It will literally save you from a smashed window.

In addition, we are seeing a number of other specific trends in 2025 and 2026:

  • The ‘Relay Attack’ is the norm: Almost 70% of thefts of cars with keyless entry occur without any damage to the vehicle. Criminals intercept the signal from your car key (which might be lying on the kitchen table, for example) and relay it to the car. The doors open and the engine starts, without a single window being broken.
  • Focus on hybrids and parts: The Toyota RAV4 and C-HR currently top the theft charts, but the Volkswagen Golf and Polo also remain popular. This is due to the huge demand for specific parts.
  • CAN bus hacking: A sneaky method whereby thieves hack into the car’s computer system via the headlight wiring or the radar unit in the grille. This allows them to disable the alarm without breaking a window.
  • EVs are less prone to theft: Electric vehicles are stolen relatively rarely because they are constantly connected to the manufacturer. To a thief, such a car is a moving beacon that is too easy to track.

What does this mean for you (and for us)?

Although high-tech methods such as the Relay Attack are on the rise, the old-fashioned ‘opportunistic break-in’ for a laptop bag remains the main culprit for broken glass. At Autoglas Concurrent, we therefore replace side and rear windows damaged in this way on a continuous basis.

Don’t forget: side and rear windows are almost always made of tempered (toughened) glass. This glass is extremely strong, but as soon as it breaks, it shatters into thousands of tiny shards. Not only does this create a huge mess inside your car, but the shards can also damage your upholstery. So prevent theft by removing any tell-tale signs; that will save you a lot of glass shards and a trip to our fitting partner.

It is particularly important to remove the opportunity and the trigger. If your car is parked in a well-lit spot, a potential burglar sees no reason to break in, and the car is properly locked? Then the risk of a break-in is considerably lower than if your car is parked at the back of an alley and an expensive car radio and sat-nav are clearly visible.

What if the car is stolen?

If your car is stolen, GPS tracking allows you to easily pinpoint its location. You then share this information with the police – you don't have to chase the criminals yourself. In most cases, your car can be recovered this way, usually with broken windows because the burglars gained access this way.

In almost all cases, they smash one of the side windows. These are made of tempered glass, making them relatively easy to destroy. Replacing the windscreen is then the only option. However, you might also find your car stripped. If the criminals have had enough time with your car to remove parts for sale, you'll obviously have considerably more work to do to restore it to working order.

The reality of 2026: Recovery rates and parts theft

Although technology has improved, the most recent figures paint a mixed picture. Of the cars stolen without a tracking system, only 35% to 40% are now recovered. However, for vehicles equipped with an active GPS tracking system, this percentage rises to over 80%. It therefore pays off immediately to invest in tracking.

Note: The rise of parts theft

A trend we are seeing increasingly often in 2025 and 2026 is that a car is no longer taken away in its entirety, but is ‘stripped’ on the spot. Criminals are targeting high-value components such as airbags, headlight units and navigation systems.

In 95% of these cases, thieves gain access by smashing a side window. As these windows are made of tempered glass (toughened glass), the window shatters into thousands of tiny pieces. This is quicker and makes less noise than forcing a lock. At Autoglas Concurrent, we are seeing a huge increase in requests for side window replacements due to this specific form of crime. We therefore keep virtually all standard side windows in stock to ensure your car is safe and watertight again.

Can I use my insurance for this?

If your car has limited or full coverage insurance, the insurer will reimburse the costs of damage resulting from the theft. Insurers apply different rules in this regard, which you'll find in your policy. In almost all cases, the theft must be reported immediately to the insurer and the police. When filing a police report, be sure to mention that you have a GPS tracker in your car. This significantly increases the chance of recovering your car.

If you use short-term leasing through your employer, you don't have your own car insurance. In this case, the claim settlement is the responsibility of the insurer and your employer. With full operational short-term leasing, the insurance is arranged through the leasing company, which handles this with the insurer.

What happens if the car is not found?

If your car doesn't have GPS tracking, the chances of it being recovered are much lower. Insurers typically wait 30 days before taking action when paying out compensation for stolen cars that are not recovered. Coverage is also available here with limited or full coverage. Insurers offer four different policies:

Day value arrangement: You will be paid the current value of the stolen car;
New value arrangement: You will receive an amount with which you can purchase the same model;
Purchase price scheme: You will receive the amount you paid for the (second-hand) car;
Equivalent car scheme: You will receive an amount with which you can purchase a similar car.


Since you'll be without your car for 30 days in all cases, installing GPS tracking is a better option, especially if you also follow the tips to reduce the risk of car theft.