Obligatory tracker

[MajorClanger]

Hi! Finally managed to picked up our (new to us) motorhome yesterday; we'd already insured it through AIBinsurance, but they are insisting that we must have a tracker fitted within a fortnight. It has to be Thatcham Category S5 or S6 and managed (ie not self-monitored).

We're looking for something not too expensive to install or run; the van already has a Thatcham Cat 1 alarm.
I know about eddievanbitz's VTS Shadow, but I've also read Eddie's thoughts on trackers

So, what do people suggest?

 

[BillandHelen]

I’ve got the Telemetrics track and trace 1, which is a cat (s) 6, been great for the 3 years, good app and remote battery monitoring.

 

[BillandHelen]

Minxy Girl / Christoph is it the SmartTrak Protector Pro? Cheapest I've found is these people but the £199 cost doesn't appear to include the "DRS" keys you need to disable the system. How would it work without them?

Why don’t you phone Lynne Tanner, subscriptions at Global Telemetrics, I’ve found her very helpful and would take you through all the options and pricing. Tel 01530 275920 option 5

hope that helps.
Bill

 

[bigtwin]

I have the factory fitted Autotrail (Sargent) tracker fitted I dont pay the £99 per year or £297 3 year option
instead i stand the penalty of my Insurer to the tune of almost £1 per month thats right £11 a year for NOT having it switched on.....
Its wot they call a no brainer

That is, rather, my point. The CBA, at an individual policy holder level doesn’t stack up but, where they are fitted, they must reduce an insurers payout costs. The question becomes one of, at what level of take up does the balance shift where it is in the interests of both individual policy holders and insurers?

So the discount given will cover the annual cost of maintaining the tracker year on year? Average is around £150 to £200 per annum.
Even a lifetime sub of £400 to £500 will take quite a few years to get back.

Indeed, it doesn’t make sense at an individual policyholder level but it must make sense for insurers to have them fitted. At some level of uptake it ought to make sense for both parties but that‘s not the case currently.

Ian

 

[Coolcats]

Hi! Finally managed to picked up our (new to us) motorhome yesterday; we'd already insured it through AIBinsurance, but they are insisting that we must have a tracker fitted within a fortnight. It has to be Thatcham Category S5 or S6 and managed (ie not self-monitored).

We're looking for something not too expensive to install or run; the van already has a Thatcham Cat 1 alarm.
I know about eddievanbitz's VTS Shadow, but I've also read Eddie's thoughts on trackers

So, what do people suggest?

Whilst Eddie has a great alarm system he is not a fan of a Tracker and clearly others have a different opinion, Insurance companies are about managing risk and probabilities. Many Fleet operators may choose from a number of providers such as Vodaphone or Tracker if you do decide to purchase one of these rather than buy an annual tracking package sign up for 3 or 5 years its much cheaper

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[Coolcats]

I was really anti-trackers before we picked up the bus, but seeing it sitting on the drive, all shiny and "new", I've become quite a convert

Anything you can do to make your MoHo harder to steal has to be an investment, From Physical (ClutchClaw, Stop Lock and wheel clamp etc), an Alarm such as EddieVanbits supply, to Trackers, it all helps to protect your investment and whilst will never guarantee it will not be stolen it means your investment has some protection and an easier target may be taken.

What Insurance companies do not tell you is that if you loose an asset such as MoHo and they cannot recover full costs your file will be marked with an F rather than NF. So you make sure your vehicle its locked and secure then some B'tard breaks in and steals your keys and takes your vehicle, it is a Fault claim against you, in other words its no different if you had an accident, written off your vehicle and it was your fault.

So anything and everything you can do to protect your vehicle from theft is an investment.

 

[PeteH]

Yes, I have an alarm, Yes, I have a tracker (self monitored), It also has a switch which cuts the Fuel Pump Power feed OFF. So if it gets nicked I can cut the fuel pump off. Not going anywhere without fuel?. While I was at it, I put a second, manual, (hidden) switch in the circuit. If it is left for any length of time I can physically cut the fuel pump off. As it is Parked behind locked gates and covered by CCTV 24/7?. I think all the possible bases are covered? I would walk away from any Insurer that wanted me to PAY for a tracker monitoring. The same system, did not stop our neighbour laying in her own blood for hours despite her have pressed the warning button on her neck band!. Who watches the watchers? Eh?

 

[Pausim]

NFU Insurance do not require a tracker.

But they do give a discount if you have one, I think it was 15%.

 

[Allansheila]

i had no option but to fit a tracker on a new bailey £55.000 comfort wanted a tracker or alarm fitted within 14 days vanbitz were unable to an alarm fit for a couple of months but i managed to get a tracker from smart track.

 

[Minxy]

We made an enquiry last year and had an indicative quote from and they didn't need tracker or alarm but then come the crunch the underwriter said tracker, suits me as the remote battery monitoring is handy and I get a map where it's parked just incase I forget.

Martin

Like you could 'misplace' a Morelo Palace!!!!

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[Minxy]

Minxy Girl / Christoph is it the SmartTrak Protector Pro? Cheapest I've found is these people but the £199 cost doesn't appear to include the "DRS" keys you need to disable the system. How would it work without them?

Yup that's it, it is linked to your vehicle's remote key and you get a tracker fob too, so you don't need the DRS keys to activate/deactivate it. We haven't got them as it wasn't a requirement for our insurance anyway.

 

[Peg Star]

We have a Vodafone VTS system, very good service, the company call within a minute of me driving it and forgetting the little fob... Can see where vehicle is, trip reports, status such as voltage of device etc, set certain criteria for ferry, garage mode etc.

We also have this and agree the company is brill they have called us a few times so we know it works. My parents have also downloaded the app so they track us whilst we’re touring (Bit like santa tracking at Christmas ) so they always know we’ve safely arrived at our next destination.

 

[ForeverCopilot]

NFU Insurance do not require a tracker.

2nd that, no tracker on a >£80k MoHo with NFU

 

[SpeedyDux]

Do you mean it's gone down to 50k as it's been 75k for at least 6 or 7 years, it was 50k when we had our first van in 2008.

£50k is the threshold for an alarm + tracker that I was told in 2016. I remember it well. Anyway it is academic now.

 

[barsteward]

I can only imagine that a Tracker requirement is more to do with post code than level of security or value of M/H. I, just yesterday, re insured my 60k van with AIB, underwritten by Aviva and no tracker required, it was also a couple of shekels cheaper than last year.
I really would have another word with AIB if I were you.

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[Lenny HB]

£50k is the threshold for an alarm + tracker that I was told in 2016. I remember it well. Anyway it is academic now.

Last van was 2014 it was 75k then, current van 2017, 75k then. Only needs a tracker, over 75k. Under 50k either alarm or tracker not both.

 

[MajorClanger]

All,

We've decided to go with Global Telemetrics' SmarTrack Protector Pro Global, due to time constraints.
£180 (inc VAT) installation, and £399 for a lifetime subscription. They're coming to fit it next week.

Thanks everybody for your advice!