This year, more drivers than ever will be having insurance approved vehicle tracking devices fitted in order to meet their car insurance policy requests.
If you’ve recently renewed or applied for car insurance, it is likely that your insurance provider has asked you to install a monitored car tracker. This will always be a tracking device that has been approved and categorised by Thatcham.
What is a Thatcham Category Vehicle Tracker?
The Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre is more commonly known under the name Thatcham, which is where they are based geographically. The M.I.R.R.C is a non-profit organisation, set up by insurance groups in the late 1960s and is responsible for setting and testing the high levels of security and safety features required for non-factory fitted vehicle security units.
Insurance approved trackers are designed with the most effective security in mind. The functions and features are geared around raising an instant response to theft and a fast recovery via live GPS tracking. The trackers are monitored 24/7 by fully staffed control centres, who will respond to any instant alerts raised by the vehicle's tracking system.
The success rate for this method of protection far outweighs any other factory or post-manufacturing security devices currently available, which is why they are now such a common method of security.
Why do I need to install a vehicle tracking device?
It is becoming increasingly common for car insurance providers to request that you install an insurance-approved vehicle tracking device. This is due to the significant increase in specific theft techniques. With simple remote devices, thieves can override factory-fitted security - particularly on keyless entry vehicles. Techniques like Relay Attack allow thieves to steal vehicles quickly and covertly, meaning your car could be out of sight within 60 seconds! The good news is that an insurance-approved vehicle tracking device is the very best security at both counteracting thefts and recovering stolen vehicles quickly.
Will fitting an insurance-approved vehicle tracker reduce my insurance?
It’s highly possible that installing an insurance-approved vehicle tracker will lead to a reduction in the cost of your insurance policy. Insurance providers tend to reward motorists who are proactive about the security of their vehicle. However, due to a combination of escalation in vehicle theft and how effective tracking devices are at securing your vehicle, many insurance providers will NOT actually insure a vehicle for theft unless a tracking device has been installed. It’s best to discuss this with your provider and to see if they favour any particular Thatcham category GPS tracker.
Which is the best vehicle tracking device for insurance?
The Meta S5 Deadlock is currently the best vehicle tracking device available. This is because it has an S5 Thatcham accreditation but also has additional immobilisation security. The immobilisation is controlled by you, meaning that nobody can drive your vehicle without your permission.
How long does it take to install a vehicle tracking device?
The S7 car tracker will take approx 45-60 minutes to install, with the installation for an S5 tracker being approximately 90 minutes. Our engineers are mobile and cover every UK postcode. They will visit you at home, work, dealership, or any other location where the vehicle is located.
What’s the best car tracker without a subscription?
All vehicle tracking devices will require some kind of subscription in order to operate. The reason for this is because there is a fully staffed monitoring service in place, 24/7. If you would prefer a one-off payment though, you can opt for the Duration of Ownership subscription through Smartrack. This is a one-off payment of £399 (S7) or £499 (S5). This is a one-off payment, that covers you for the entire time you own the vehicle - whether this is 3, 10, or 15 years!
How can I find out if my car has a tracker?
It’s possible that your vehicle is already fitted with a GPS tracker of some kind. This will be a factory-fitted device, and although you may be able to track your vehicle, your insurance provider will not recognise these types of devices as acceptable security. This is because these factory-fitted tracking devices are typically all installed in the same location - meaning thieves will know where they are. With Thatcham-approved trackers, there are multiple locations where the device can be installed, as well as tamper alerts set up to further protect the device. This absolutely minimises the chance of a thief being able to intercept the security.
I’ve never needed a Car Tracker for my insurance. So why now?
Over the last few years, a more sophisticated generation of tech-savvy car thieves have been emerging. Targeting popular and high-value vehicles, these thieves are able to counteract the factory-fitted security, using basic hacking equipment purchased online. With the advances in GPS/GSM technology development in the last decade, using location-based security as well as instant theft alerts has become highly effective in theft recovery.
Although this may be the first year that you have been required to install a Categorised tracker, this procedure is going to become a standard requirement in the immediate future. This is simply because this method of security really does work. The monitored Thatcham-approved trackers (such as the S5 trackers) are designed to both deter thieves and ensure quick and effective vehicle recovery if the worst does happen.
Although this may be the first year that you have been required to install a Categorised tracker, this procedure is going to become a standard requirement in the immediate future. This is simply because this method of security really does work. The monitored Thatcham-approved trackers (such as the S5 trackers) are designed to both deter thieves and ensure quick and effective vehicle recovery if the worst does happen.
So what are the different categories? And what do they do?
Can trackers be jammed?
GPS/GSM jammers emit a signal at the same frequency as GPS satellites.Insurance-approved vehicle trackers are tested to the highest level and are designed to counteract and detect any common theft techniques.
However, if you would like a vehicle tracking system that does not emit a signal that can be detected, then take a look at the S7 Tracker Monitor. This uses VHF technology, which cannot be blocked and can also be detected in containers, concrete structures, and underground.
Is Land Rover InControl insurance approved?
Land Rover's Incontrol tracking system is a level CAT 6 tracker. However, due to the fact that these are factory-fitted, it is unlikely your insurance provider will accept this in line with your policy. This is due to the fact that all factory-fitted devices will typically be installed in the same location on the vehicle. Therefore, thieves will very quickly be able to locate, access, and remove it.
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