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How can you tell if your car has a kill switch?

Is there an easy way to check if my car has a kill switch? I know they can help prevent theft, but I’ve also heard they can be dangerous.

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Joshua Levy · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Kill-switches can help prevent theft, but cutting power to a moving car can be dangerous. To find out if your car has a kill switch, thoroughly search the most common areas for kill switches. Remember, good kill switches are inconspicuous, so you may need to ask a mechanic for help.
But if you’d like to find it on your own, there are five common types of kill switches, each with its own unique location:
  • Fuel-line kill switches are installed under the car, directly on the fuel line. If you have one, you should see a knob sticking out from a pipe under your car.
  • Car battery disconnect switches connect a switch to your battery. To find out if you have one, check your battery terminals for any loose or odd wires.
  • Remote control battery switches are similar to battery disconnect switches. To see if you have one, check the battery terminals for unknown or odd connections.
  • Fuse box kill switches connect to your fuse box. If you have one, you should see a few stand-alone wires inside your fuse box.
  • Ignition wire kill switches involve splicing your ignition wire. To find the kill switch, trace the ignition wire and check for any added wires or pieces.
If you’d like to add a kill switch to your car, talk with your provider about how it might impact your insurance rate. If you don’t like what you hear, explore other insurance options with
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