For high value or high risk vehicles stolen vehicle tracking is often a prerequisite to obtaining car insurance. Stolen vehicle tracking is not the same as fleet tracking and needs to be approved by an organisation called Thatcham.
There are two categories of Thatcham approval for stolen vehicle tracking, Category Q and Category 5. Category 5 includes a driver identification system and is usually only required for ‘Supercars’ or very high value vehicles, in most instances a Category Q system will suffice. It is important to ask your insurance company which Thatcham category system is required before buying.
There are several Category Q systems available on the market and most work in a similar way using GPS to find the vehicles location. Some systems also use a form of radio tracking in addition to GPS which helps to find vehicles where GPS will not work i.e. in a container or covered car park.
Stolen vehicle tracking is installed covertly so there will be no wires or aerials visible and no damage caused to your vehicle. Should the vehicle be stolen you are required to report it to the tracking company who will then liaise directly with the police to recover the vehicle. Vehicles are usually recovered very quickly and returned to you for free.
The reductions in insurance premiums often far outweigh the cost of a stolen vehicle tracking system when considered over a 3 year period. Costs are usually broken down in to two parts, the cost of the tracking hardware and installation which are paid for upfront and the cost of monitoring the system. The cost of monitoring the system can often be paid annually or some providers offer discounts for a one off lifetime payment. Lifetime payments include full monitoring of the system for as long as you keep the vehicle, lifetime monitoring is not transferable to new owners.
Should you sell the vehicle the system can be registered in the new owners name or the system can be removed and fitted to a new vehicle by an accredited engineer however this can be costly.
Key Benefits:
• Increased vehicle security
• Insurance premium discounts
For information on Stolen Vehicle Tracking Systems and companies contact us.
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