Although it is unfortunate, we live in a society where the crime rate continues to increase. In an ideal world, we wouldn't have to worry about improving the security of our cars. However, we don't live in a perfect world, and because a vehicle is one of the most valuable things that most people own, it is important to ensure that it is as secure as possible.

While car manufacturers include some security measures on the cars that they make, typically, these security measures only provide a minimal amount of security. If you are serious about ensuring that your vehicle is as secure as cab be, you will need to invest in aftermarket car security accessories. Fortunately, there are a huge variety of options available to assist you.

In fact, as there are so many unique options available, it can be confusing to figure out which accessories you should buy for your car. To help you make the most informed decision possible, we have taken the time to provide you with an overview of the advantages of the different accessories below:

Vehicle Alarms: While your vehicle most likely has a standard alarm already, you can upgrade your alarm to a greater quality one that is more effective in deterring thieves. This can include adding extra sirens and/or flashing LED lights to your existing alarm system.

Immobilisers: An electronic immobiliser can prevent your vehicle from being started or from running correctly. An immobiliser can be used in conjunction with an aftermarket alarm, and can literally stop thieves in their tracks if they attempt to unlawfully take your vehicle.

Sensors: Sensors can be used to increase the efficiency of your car alarm system. Available sensors include microwave sensors (used to create an "invisible bubble" over cars with a soft top), tilt sensors (triggered if your vehicle is jacked up; highly effective for protecting your wheels), shock/impact sensors (deters thieves from attempting to tamper with your door locks) and glass break sensors (triggered if a thieve breaks one of your windows).

In addition to the wide range of accessories that are designed to improve the safety of your vehicle, there are also a lot of other solutions that can enhance your driving and vehicle ownership experience. Some of the most popular aftermarket accessories among consumers are:

Fleet Management: If you are a business owner with a fleet of cars, a Vehicle Asset/Fleet management (VAM) systems can provide you with everything from recording the location of all your vehicles to monitoring the times when the vehicle is running. All this information is visible live on an online system and can help improve operational efficiency.

Car Phone Accessories: Because it is becoming increasingly important to be connected as often as possible, car phone accessories make it possible for you to safely talk while driving. Popular car phone accessories includeBluetooth kits (which allow you to talk hands-free), fixed cradles (an easy way to charge your mobile phone while driving) and HGV fixed SIM system (which gives you the ability to control outgoing calls).

Multimedia and Navigation: Whether you are interested in a GPS unit for your dashboard (so you never have to worry about getting lost again) or a DVD player and screen to entertain your passengers in the backseat (especially kids, who are much easier to drive with when they are entertained), multimedia and navigation accessories are more popular than ever. Keep in mind, if you add these accessories to your vehicle, you will want to protect them with the security accessories discussed above.

Parking Aids: To increase the safety of your driving and avoid damaging your vehicle, you may want to invest in a parking sensor (which are available for the front and/or rear of your vehicle) or a parking camera (which not only provides the functionality of a parking sensor, but also provides you with a visual display).