HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — In a move to combat car thefts, AAA Alabama is offering free Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) etching throughout October. This initiative, available for one day at each AAA office, aims to help vehicle owners safeguard their cars.
“We know from about 30 years of data that if you have this done to your vehicle, you're 64% less likely to have your car stolen,” says AAA Alabama spokesperson, Clay Ingram. “And if it is stolen, you're 85% more likely to get it back.”
VIN etching permanently stencils the identification number onto the glass of all windows, making it more difficult for thieves to sell stolen vehicles. Law enforcement encourages this practice, and most insurance companies offer discounts for vehicles with etched VINs.
The process takes about 10-15 minutes and requires an appointment from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on specific days. The schedule is as follows:
- Decatur – Tuesday, Oct. 1
- Huntsville – Wednesday, Oct. 2
- Birmingham – Tuesday, Oct. 8
- Bessemer – Wednesday, Oct. 9
- Fultondale – Thursday, Oct. 10
- Tuscaloosa – Tuesday, Oct. 15
- Oxford – Thursday, Oct. 17
- Dothan – Tuesday, Oct. 22
- Montgomery – Wednesday, Oct. 23
To participate, vehicle owners should contact their local AAA office for more information and to register.
