Anyone do DIT VIN Etching on your windows? It will lower insurance premiums and supposedly deters theft, but I'm curious how it looks. Anyone have experience with this, particularly with a Prius C?
As mentioned above you should find it on the larger pieces of your car like your hood, hatch, and doors. Posted from my iPhone via the Tapatalk app.
It looks like frosting on the glass. In my opinion it looks ugly. I'd even be reluctant to buy glass at a junkyard that has been etched. It's just another way to lighten the buyer's wallet at the dealership.
Ask your insurance agent about the $ value of the discount. The Prius C engine immobilizer is an anti-theft device so that discount may already be satisfied. If you decide to proceed, there are far less expensive alternatives than the dealer option. I suspect if my car is chopped for parts, the thieves will polish out or fill the etched numbers. Alternatively they will toss the windows in a dumpster. I don't personally see VIN window etching as much of a theft deterrent. Tom
It looks like some one etched numbers and letters in to glass. I think that it looks ugly. If the OP wants to know how it looks do a Google search for "VIN etching" and select images and knock yourself out. It looks like there are DIY kits if the OP really wants to do it. Posted from my iPhone via the Tapatalk app.
I have the vin etching which was done by Toyota when it arrived at the Port in Jacksonville, Florida. It came with the option package of the car that we selected. Honestly, with tinted windows the etching is barely noticeable, you have to look hard to even see it. My thoughts are that the concept behind etching windows with the VIN is that if the car is ever stolen, all the windows that display the etched VIN would have to be replaced. Or if the car is ever taken by thieves to a chop shop for parts, the windows are worthless. This is suppose to make a car with etched windows less desirable/valuable because of the Vin etching. Dealer direct profit, I would say yes for sure. The likelihood of a Prius C being stolen remote I think. The likelihood of the Vin# etching "saving the day" also pretty remote in my humble opinion. For what its worth.
Well....I am happy to report that the few Toyotas I have owned over the years with Vin etching never were stolen...does this count?
If you needed to replace a window or an entire door would you buy an etched one from the salvage yard? Would you buy any panel with a VIN tag from a salvage yard? I suspect VIN etched parts are legally sold every day.
I have had it done on my prius and frankly doesn't really affect the look. Quite inconspicuous. It is not meant to be super visible like neon sign-age. For insurance companies, it makes them really happy and lowers the premium ~100$ a year (at least in my case). Now getting it cost me 260$ so figure in 2.6 yrs I make the money back and continue saving afterwards. Also could be a good selling point afterwards should I decide to upgrade or part with my car. As a note: my insuranhce company told me my discount would be the same whether I etch the vin or get a tracking service keeping in mind the tracking service is more expensive to install and requires monthly fees.
Doubt it does anything for theft deterrent . I suggest not getting VIN Etched as it just another thing the dealer can screw up on your brand new car AND why put more money in their pocket?
AFAIK most dealers do not do the VIN etching themselves.....typically either a specialized company will come on site or the dealer will drive the car to their shop and have it done there.
