I dunno about most alarm systems, but mine (Alpine) is in two major components:

1) The alarm brain

2) The Klaxon alarm horn

If the car's totaled, what I'd do is A) Disconnect the battery terminals B) Find the alarm brain C) Take a nice pair of sicsors (sp?) D) Cut all the cables leading into the alarm brain EXCEPT!!!! for the alarm radio attena E) Pocket it F) Open up the hood G) Find the klaxon, cut the cables, and pocket that as well

Be VERY CAREFUL about the alarm attenna. I was dicking around under my dash, rewiring my sound system when I accidentally pulled the alarm attenna out. Now my keyless only works when I'm less than 10-15 feet from the car... very inconvenient :upset: