What’s the problem?
Trackers and safeguarding vehicles go hand-in-hand, but we continue to see clients struggle to understand if they have an actual tracker in their vehicle, how to confirm whether their trackers are active, or remember to keep their subscriptions paid and up to date.
Motor vehicle theft offences increased by 22% from 20/21 to 21/22 [Source: Statista 2022]. It’s a reasonable prediction that vehicle theft will continue to rise as criminals look to make gains from those who still want high-end goods in the cost of living crisis, without caring how they are obtained.
What’s the solution?
A simple way to offset the increased risk of your car being lost to theft, is to assess whether you have an active tracker fitted, and if not, get one fitted! For high-end vehicles such as Defenders, Range Rovers, Lamborghinis, Bentleys etc, this is a non-negotiable prerequisite for cover, for most insurers.
How does a tracker work?
A tracker is a small device which is attached to a vehicle and transmits data about its location and speed to a GPS satellite. The satellite then forwards this information to the tracking company and very often, an app accessed by the policyholder.
Three things to consider about trackers and how to avoid common pitfalls
- Does your vehicle already have a tracking device?
Many vehicles have factory-fitted trackers but they can also be retrofitted. If you’re unsure, your dealer or the manufacturer should be able to advise you. There are two types of tracker, a GPS system and an Automatic Driver Recognition (ADR) system. Insurers may require a certain type. - Check the vehicle has the correct tracker for your insurance policy
A GPS system provides basic functionality. It will not provide an alert if the car is stolen and the car movements will only be tracked once the theft is noticed and reported to the police. This could result in a delay. Automatic Driver Recognition (ADR) is a feature on premium tracking products that identifies approved drivers. These identifiers are usually small tags the driver keeps on their person (sometimes these are built into the key). If the vehicle is moved without a driver identification tag present, an alert will be sent indicating unauthorised movement of the vehicle. NB: Do not leave the driver identification tag in the vehicle when unattended or the system will not alert a theft! - A subscription fee must be paid for the tracking service. If the subscription lapses, the tracker will stop working as it will no longer be able to communicate with the tracking company in the event of theft. This could invalidate your insurance. Always make sure the subscription is active. Choosing an automatic renewal can help mitigate this risk. A subscription for up to three years is sometimes included in the purchase price. However, it is the responsibility of the owner to check that this has been done and that the subscription is renewed at the end of the initial period. Your dealership may not send a reminder about renewing the subscription.
Emma Proctor, Private Clients Director says:
“We have been helping our clients protect their most valued possessions for many years and our Concierge service can assist with all things related to vehicle security whether it be advice or the checking and supply of trackers and ghost immobilisers. Taking some relatively simple steps could hugely reduce potential worry about losing your vehicle to criminals.”
If you’d like to discuss any aspect of trackers and safeguarding vehicles, please visit the Concierge page on our website to see how we could help.
