Tracking Network
Discussion
Thought it was worth a separate thread rather than the existing insurance one.
I'm just finalising insurance, and have got an agreed value too, which I'm pleased about. But then the chap said 'You do realise this is a tracker policy?' Oh no - my car doesn't have an active tracker, I can't proceed. But he said no, it's a matchbox-sized thing they send out which you have to put in the car. Not a black box he said, it just allows them to trace the car if stolen. It's sent out free with the policy and you have to return it if you sell the car.
Sounds perfect, but I'm always looking for catches... has anyone else heard of this service or used it?
I'm just finalising insurance, and have got an agreed value too, which I'm pleased about. But then the chap said 'You do realise this is a tracker policy?' Oh no - my car doesn't have an active tracker, I can't proceed. But he said no, it's a matchbox-sized thing they send out which you have to put in the car. Not a black box he said, it just allows them to trace the car if stolen. It's sent out free with the policy and you have to return it if you sell the car.
Sounds perfect, but I'm always looking for catches... has anyone else heard of this service or used it?
Yes I have exactly the same mini tracker with my insurance policy, its like an entry level GPS tracker, it only has enough battery to last a few days. So it stays in low power mode until the car is reported stolen and then they enable it. You just have to register it when you receive it, and hide it somewhere in the car.
Had mine fitted a few years now, since changing insurer. Seems like an easy way for the insurer to insure themselves against total loss.
Its obviously built into the cost of the policy, but they are cheap devices, tens of pounds vs hundreds of pounds (plus subscription) for a fully monitored and wired in tracker.
Had mine fitted a few years now, since changing insurer. Seems like an easy way for the insurer to insure themselves against total loss.
Its obviously built into the cost of the policy, but they are cheap devices, tens of pounds vs hundreds of pounds (plus subscription) for a fully monitored and wired in tracker.
bogie said:
Yes I have exactly the same mini tracker with my insurance policy, its like an entry level GPS tracker, it only has enough battery to last a few days. So it stays in low power mode until the car is reported stolen and then they enable it. You just have to register it when you receive it, and hide it somewhere in the car.
Had mine fitted a few years now, since changing insurer. Seems like an easy way for the insurer to insure themselves against total loss.
Its obviously built into the cost of the policy, but they are cheap devices, tens of pounds vs hundreds of pounds (plus subscription) for a fully monitored and wired in tracker.
That's good news, thanks for confirming. I couldn't find Tracking Network as a company so perhaps it's a generic name.Had mine fitted a few years now, since changing insurer. Seems like an easy way for the insurer to insure themselves against total loss.
Its obviously built into the cost of the policy, but they are cheap devices, tens of pounds vs hundreds of pounds (plus subscription) for a fully monitored and wired in tracker.
It seems like an excellent invention.
Their device might be doing a similar job to the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag and Apple AirTag.
The Samsungs are about £30.
Can keep one in your wallet.
When you get old, after a day out you can look on a tablet to see where you went, then pretend that you have not forgotten. -
They work using bluetooth, but when out they can pick up the location from other nearby Samsung devices.
Batteries are said to last a year.
If the insurers device is similar, they would know where and when you travel on every trip.
What conditions are they imposing for Agreed Value?
Our car values depreciate, so an agreed value from say 3 years ago, would now leave the insurer facing a loss and also be an incentive for some, to 'accidentally' drop a match whilst wearing slippers and lighting their pipe.
The trackers the insurers are providing (at least the one I have) are more like an OEM version of tracker retrieve, its a battery operated single use device
https://www.tracker.co.uk/products/retrieve-batter...
https://www.tracker.co.uk/products/retrieve-batter...
Obviously if the Insurer of choice is giving it to you for nothing and also providing the right policy for you then there is little or no downside.
The Police do of course have to still find the car if stolen and something just put in the car possibly has more chance of being found than a professionally installed tracker system ?
And then next year if you need to find another Insurer who insists on a different ( hard wired ) system ?
Obviously depends on value but with most cars over £50k Insurers normally insist on at least a Cat 5 approved system.
The Police do of course have to still find the car if stolen and something just put in the car possibly has more chance of being found than a professionally installed tracker system ?
And then next year if you need to find another Insurer who insists on a different ( hard wired ) system ?
Obviously depends on value but with most cars over £50k Insurers normally insist on at least a Cat 5 approved system.
Jon39 said:
What conditions are they imposing for Agreed Value?
Our car values depreciate, so an agreed value from say 3 years ago, would now leave the insurer facing a loss and also be an incentive for some, to 'accidentally' drop a match whilst wearing slippers and lighting their pipe.
Sometimes an independent valuation is required for the Insurer to accept although I have found generally that as long as you aren't silly in the amount requested a email form the dealer or similar will often suffice.
Normally each renewal is met with a reduced limit and then its down to you as the Insured to " negotiate " or otherwise.
Jon39 said:
Their device might be doing a similar job to the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag and Apple AirTag.
The Samsungs are about £30.
Can keep one in your wallet.
When you get old, after a day out you can look on a tablet to see where you went, then pretend that you have not forgotten. -
They work using bluetooth, but when out they can pick up the location from other nearby Samsung devices.
Batteries are said to last a year.
If the insurers device is similar, they would know where and when you travel on every trip.
What conditions are they imposing for Agreed Value?
The agreed value is the same as I paid for the car two years ago, and the same as the agreed value last year (valued by Nicholas Mee). It was something I asked about after the quote was thrashed out; I filled in a form, sent photos and they were happy with it. I asked for details of the tracker but they haven't come through yet.
alscar said:
Obviously if the Insurer of choice is giving it to you for nothing and also providing the right policy for you then there is little or no downside.
The Police do of course have to still find the car if stolen and something just put in the car possibly has more chance of being found than a professionally installed tracker system
It should easy enough to squirrel it away somewhere.The Police do of course have to still find the car if stolen and something just put in the car possibly has more chance of being found than a professionally installed tracker system
bogie said:
The trackers the insurers are providing (at least the one I have) are more like an OEM version of tracker retrieve, its a battery operated single use device
https://www.tracker.co.uk/products/retrieve-batter...
I just called again and they said it was a Tracker Nano, in which case it might well be this: https://www.tracker.co.uk/nano-installationhttps://www.tracker.co.uk/products/retrieve-batter...
In the data section it says 'Your device is installed to help recover your vehicle in the event of theft, therefore, we do not share location data with customers'.
Anyway, for those still seeking insurance, the company is Peter Best. And the best price by some margin.
Edited by Simpo Two on Tuesday 3rd October 14:48
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