tracking requirement

[davidindevon]

Hi all,
I have very recently renewed my insurance and received my policy documents at the weekend.
As I do, I read the small print...
First the car has to be locked up at home in garage between 10pm and 8am which is very restrictive but I was aware of.
Second it has to have an alarm. This was factory fitted so OK there.

Now there is a new requirement for a tracker to be fitted as well.
I've trawled through some older posts but the game moves on so quickly.

I don't want to be forking out high annual subscriptions, incomprehensible instructions lost in translation or specialist tools or IT skills, so is there any obvious choice that I should buy and fit please?

As always, Thank you. D

[AutoAndy]

alternative answer...

Plan A - call your insurer and get them to clarify or remove the requirement.

Plan B - Change insurer...or threaten to

[Alan_D350]

I'd be asking about garaging too. The cost was almost no different for me to just have it as kept on the drive, and I clarified with them that this way it's covered for either.

[glenrobbo]

It must be a really dodgy place where you live OP.

A 10pm to 8am curfew on use of your car, mandatory fitting of alarm and now a tracking device. Next you'll be telling us that your insurance company have imposed a ridiculously low annual mileage limit of 7000 miles or something.

Did you shop around for the best deal? Because they are out there.... somewhere.

[davidindevon]

Yeah, 5000 mile annual limit but at least the premium is a very reasonable£315. On checking again the 'curfew' is 10pm to 6am so I am an early bird!

I wouldn't say it was a dodgy area but I have had previous instances of people ringing the front door bell and running round the back where from another window I've seen them trying the garage door and run off before I can get a photo - so there are people out there who know what's in the garage. Possibly even trawling these forums!
So for those, I have an alarm which is extended to the garage and I'm getting CCTV very soon.
Just need that tracker now but I have no experience of them so hope to be guided by some of you. Cheers, D

[glenrobbo]

Sorry I can't help you OP.
When I first read the title, I assumed you wanted to know suspension geometry settings, or were looking for advice regarding trackdays.

I'm sure somebody will be along soon with advice on installing tracking devices.

Assuming you have already paid the insurance premium, I am amazed that the insurance co. or broker did not make you aware of all these extra requirements before taking your money. If you haven't yet paid, then I would advise you to shop around for comparison. I'm sure you could find insurance with less restrictive conditions, agreed value and if the worst should happen, the right to keep salvage.

[gruffalo]

Could you let us know which insurance company you use.

I am with Footman James my premium is under £200 with 10,000 miles, agreed value and the car parked on a driveway.

[DavidY]

I'd read the words carefully regarding the curfew, it probably states somehow, that if the car is at home between 10 and 8 then it must be garaged, that doesn't mean it can't be out later at night, just not at home, ie a night away at a hotel, or coming back at midnight after an event.

[phillpot]

DavidY said:

I'd read the words carefully regarding the curfew, it probably states somehow, that if the car is at home between 10 and 8 then it must be garaged, that doesn't mean it can't be out later at night, just not at home, ie a night away at a hotel, or coming back at midnight after an event.

I think David is absolutely right, similar wording on my policy, there is no issue with a night out, staying at a friends (no matter how dodgy an area they live in) or, of course, getting up and out nice 'n early for a breakfast run !

[Steve_D]

All sounds rather restrictive as others have said and advised looking around.

However, if you still end with the tracker requirement be advised that you cannot fit this yourself. You will need to get the insurer to advise what spec tracker they need and in turn they will want to see the installation certificate from a registered installer. The installer may not even tell you where he has installed it.

Steve

[davidindevon]

As is usual, I didn't get the policy until after I'd paid the insurance then it's too late of course to start looking through the small print.
I'll follow Steve's advice.

BUT I will also start asking for some other quotes in readiness for next year although I am reluctant to do this because one is then bombarded by insurers for ever more - they are like payment protection claims chasers on speed.
Why can't all these repugnant people leave us alone. (My mother is still being hounded some 4 years beyond the grave - they just don't understand the meaning of 'dead'?!
Thank you all. D

[shep1001]

Don't have any of that nonsense with mine. Slightly higher (£100) xs as the car is not garaged or requirement for a tracker. £340/yr with KGM through MSM as a broker. Trouble with trackers can be what one company accepts others won't. Not supposed to matter with Thatcham approval but there you go.


Be careful, if your policy is conditional on you having a tracker & you don't and it gets pinched, they won't pay out. Worse still, you typically have to provide a certificate at inception of the policy to prove you have a tracker installed, they may cancel your policy if you can't which is a whole new world of hurt having to declare you have had insurance cancelled!

Edited by shep1001 on Thursday 8th December 00:33

[Milky400]

The garage thing is quite normal from the years I've been having insurance, it only applies if you're at home. So it you're out until midnight for example you must garage the car when you return and not leave it in your drive over night, otherwise what's the point in saying its garage?! Perfectly reasonable I would say.