Hacker News Reader

I'd ask them if I can install another one on the back door. If they're giving me free money, who am I to judge their motivation?

View on HN

Ah but it isn't really free money. By installing two if these things, you've essentially hooked yourself to your insurance provider for six years. I'd happily give away two $300 bags of crap to get a customer handcuffed to me for six years.

Disclaimer: I hate car alarms with a vengeance. I think if a car alarm sounds and does not shut down within ten minutes (automatically or owner's intervention), there should be a large fine (I'd say the value of the car).

That's a very good point. I would argue that insurance is a long-term relationship, it's a very mature industry, I don't expect there will be great savings in changing providers, and finding the best provider means doing due diligence and reading through dozens of small print — not something I would relish anyway. They're offering a 33% annual ROI. If they can guarantee an option to re-up for at least four years, we're good.

You should adjust the car alarm's settings. If you don't, and you happen to live in my neighbourhood, I have a stack of bricks in my back yard, one of which will just about fit through that hole in your windshield.

great point - that I hadn't thought of!

Reply on news.ycombinator.com