Trackers - worth it
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
Its a topic that will no doubt lead to endless debate and there is no real right or wrong answer, more of what's appropriate for the individual.
So maybe the question should be "is a tracker (or similar) worth it to you[?]", considering your own priorities.
My own thoughts are the basic models eg: Tracker Retrieve etc are simply useless, you need Tracker Horizon, RAC Trackstar, NavTrak etc. What tracker doesn't tell you in their statistics is how many cars with their units fitted are NOT recovered. The numbers are significant.
I support using these devices (as one element of anti-theft items) both for peace of mind but also to make it increasingly difficult for thieves to be successful in their illegal activities.
Hope that makes sense.[
]
So maybe the question should be "is a tracker (or similar) worth it to you[?]", considering your own priorities.
My own thoughts are the basic models eg: Tracker Retrieve etc are simply useless, you need Tracker Horizon, RAC Trackstar, NavTrak etc. What tracker doesn't tell you in their statistics is how many cars with their units fitted are NOT recovered. The numbers are significant.
I support using these devices (as one element of anti-theft items) both for peace of mind but also to make it increasingly difficult for thieves to be successful in their illegal activities.
Hope that makes sense.[
]Quote: posted by Doc on 11/02/2005 21:10:10
Its a topic that will no doubt lead to endless debate and there is no real right or wrong answer, more of what's appropriate for the individual.
So maybe the question should be "is a tracker (or similar) worth it to you[?]", considering your own priorities.
My own thoughts are the basic models eg: Tracker Retrieve etc are simply useless, you need Tracker Horizon, RAC Trackstar, NavTrak etc. What tracker doesn't tell you in their statistics is how many cars with their units fitted are NOT recovered. The numbers are significant.
I support using these devices (as one element of anti-theft items) both for peace of mind but also to make it increasingly difficult for thieves to be successful in their illegal activities.
Hope that makes sense.[]
Agree completely Doc - DO check out the stats on the manu's claims!
Aside tho', i do think that we'll see this more and more. Crooked emp's have been id as one of the most significant risks to business for 04/05.
Its a topic that will no doubt lead to endless debate and there is no real right or wrong answer, more of what's appropriate for the individual.
So maybe the question should be "is a tracker (or similar) worth it to you[?]", considering your own priorities.
My own thoughts are the basic models eg: Tracker Retrieve etc are simply useless, you need Tracker Horizon, RAC Trackstar, NavTrak etc. What tracker doesn't tell you in their statistics is how many cars with their units fitted are NOT recovered. The numbers are significant.
I support using these devices (as one element of anti-theft items) both for peace of mind but also to make it increasingly difficult for thieves to be successful in their illegal activities.
Hope that makes sense.[
]Agree completely Doc - DO check out the stats on the manu's claims!
Aside tho', i do think that we'll see this more and more. Crooked emp's have been id as one of the most significant risks to business for 04/05.
I remember reading something about putting a PAYG mobile hidden in the car with a constant trickle electrical feed to keep it charged. If the car was nicked it could be tracked by the location of the phone.
Not sure how much truth there is in that but it's an interesting idea.
Cheers, Jim
Not sure how much truth there is in that but it's an interesting idea.
Cheers, Jim
Joined
·
487 Posts
Quote: posted by asgh4r on 11/02/2005 20:54:19
id prefer not to have my car back once its been nicked, but each to their own.
I hear what you're saying man, I don't really know how I'd feel if I got a call tomorrow saying that my car had been found with minimal damage. I guess it would feel tainted, rather like a relationship where one partner has gone astray [V]. I might try and get the car back into a normal routine, but I probably wouldn't lavish the kind of money on alloys, engine chips etc.. that I was originally going to.
Just my thoughts
Carlos
id prefer not to have my car back once its been nicked, but each to their own.
I hear what you're saying man, I don't really know how I'd feel if I got a call tomorrow saying that my car had been found with minimal damage. I guess it would feel tainted, rather like a relationship where one partner has gone astray [V]. I might try and get the car back into a normal routine, but I probably wouldn't lavish the kind of money on alloys, engine chips etc.. that I was originally going to.
Just my thoughts
Carlos
Joined
·
1,528 Posts
Good topic!
Dependant on who steals the car. If it's a professional, he will take the car and park it in another town amongst other cars for a couple of days to see if the police and the owner can recover it. If there is no recovery in that time, they can take the car and either strip/ring or whatever to it.
Problem is (and this is the biggie) what happens if you recover your car? The thief knows that you found it and that it has a tracker - he can steal it again and this time look for the device. There are only so many places you can hide it.
For the effort and cost you or the previous owner have put into getting a tracking device for the car, the insurance companies seem very uninterested - an attitude I can't understand. You are footing the bill protect them from a possible stolen/unrecovered situation!
Dependant on who steals the car. If it's a professional, he will take the car and park it in another town amongst other cars for a couple of days to see if the police and the owner can recover it. If there is no recovery in that time, they can take the car and either strip/ring or whatever to it.
Problem is (and this is the biggie) what happens if you recover your car? The thief knows that you found it and that it has a tracker - he can steal it again and this time look for the device. There are only so many places you can hide it.
For the effort and cost you or the previous owner have put into getting a tracking device for the car, the insurance companies seem very uninterested - an attitude I can't understand. You are footing the bill protect them from a possible stolen/unrecovered situation!
Joined
·
2,781 Posts
Just a little perspective from the insurance angle;
At an average premium of say ?700, what would be an owner's expectation of a worthwhile discount for a tracker? ?100? No - the margins just aren't there. Most claims these days are for third party payments not own damage or theft.
The Golfs already have T1 in most cases, in which a "security discount" is built in by default in the ABI car grouping - ie if a Golf GTI didn't have T1 as standard insurers would make fitment mandatory costing the owner more.
Insurers tend to give very small discounts for trackers but make them mandatory on high value and high risk vehicles.
It's your asset so its your choice how far you go in protecting it. A good tracker will almost guarantee you get your car back, probably with minimal damage and without being thrashed. There are lots of uninsured losses that go with a total loss theft claim. For instance - your mods! You will only be paid the market value for the car, so expect an interesting negotiation. And do you really want a high value claim on your record?
I think on balance trackers are a good thing. If the investment has already been put in the car, it is a no-brainer - activate it.
At an average premium of say ?700, what would be an owner's expectation of a worthwhile discount for a tracker? ?100? No - the margins just aren't there. Most claims these days are for third party payments not own damage or theft.
The Golfs already have T1 in most cases, in which a "security discount" is built in by default in the ABI car grouping - ie if a Golf GTI didn't have T1 as standard insurers would make fitment mandatory costing the owner more.
Insurers tend to give very small discounts for trackers but make them mandatory on high value and high risk vehicles.
It's your asset so its your choice how far you go in protecting it. A good tracker will almost guarantee you get your car back, probably with minimal damage and without being thrashed. There are lots of uninsured losses that go with a total loss theft claim. For instance - your mods! You will only be paid the market value for the car, so expect an interesting negotiation. And do you really want a high value claim on your record?
I think on balance trackers are a good thing. If the investment has already been put in the car, it is a no-brainer - activate it.
Joined
·
4,190 Posts
Quote: posted by Reflex TDI on 12/02/2005 08:26:36
It's your asset so its your choice how far you go in protecting it. A good tracker will almost guarantee you get your car back, probably with minimal damage and without being thrashed.
how can a tracker prevent damage, and stop it being thrashed??
Also, insurance people are always ready to charge you more for adding say a front bumper, but when it come to a claim, your bumper aint covered......but then they "ignor" trackers which would reduce total loss claims.....rip off.
It's your asset so its your choice how far you go in protecting it. A good tracker will almost guarantee you get your car back, probably with minimal damage and without being thrashed.
how can a tracker prevent damage, and stop it being thrashed??
Also, insurance people are always ready to charge you more for adding say a front bumper, but when it come to a claim, your bumper aint covered......but then they "ignor" trackers which would reduce total loss claims.....rip off.
Joined
·
2,781 Posts
Quote: posted by Essex Escy on 12/02/2005 08:52:43
how can a tracker prevent damage, and stop it being thrashed??
Well it can't, but it can reduce the likelihood. Because with an active tracking system, the police can be notified as soon as the vehicle is moved. There are plenty of cases where the police have been able to follow discretely without getting involved in dangerous chases, then move in and secure the car when it has stopped. In such cases damage should hopefully be limited to locks etc, which would not spoil your future enjoyment of the car.
Theft of most cars with decent security is by "professionals" not joyriders. The chances of you seeing it again without a tracking system to tell the police where it is are pitifully low - relying mainly on chance.
Anyway, it's your call.[^]
how can a tracker prevent damage, and stop it being thrashed??
Well it can't, but it can reduce the likelihood. Because with an active tracking system, the police can be notified as soon as the vehicle is moved. There are plenty of cases where the police have been able to follow discretely without getting involved in dangerous chases, then move in and secure the car when it has stopped. In such cases damage should hopefully be limited to locks etc, which would not spoil your future enjoyment of the car.
Theft of most cars with decent security is by "professionals" not joyriders. The chances of you seeing it again without a tracking system to tell the police where it is are pitifully low - relying mainly on chance.
Anyway, it's your call.[^]
Quote: posted by Reflex TDI on 12/02/2005 08:26:36
I think on balance trackers are a good thing. If the investment has already been put in the car, it is a no-brainer - activate it.
As Reflex knows only too well, and for all on this thread, once you have made the correct investment, the cost to transfer from car to car is merely around ?100...pretty insignificant if considered as a mod like any other[]
I think on balance trackers are a good thing. If the investment has already been put in the car, it is a no-brainer - activate it.
As Reflex knows only too well, and for all on this thread, once you have made the correct investment, the cost to transfer from car to car is merely around ?100...pretty insignificant if considered as a mod like any other[
]Quote: posted by Reflex TDI on 12/02/2005 09:29:05
Quote: posted by Essex Escy on 12/02/2005 08:52:43
how can a tracker prevent damage, and stop it being thrashed??
Well it can't, but it can reduce the likelihood. Because with an active tracking system, the police can be notified as soon as the vehicle is moved. There are plenty of cases where the police have been able to follow discretely without getting involved in dangerous chases, then move in and secure the car when it has stopped. In such cases damage should hopefully be limited to locks etc, which would not spoil your future enjoyment of the car.
Theft of most cars with decent security is by "professionals" not joyriders. The chances of you seeing it again without a tracking system to tell the police where it is are pitifully low - relying mainly on chance.
Anyway, it's your call.[^]
Do you know what car theifs do nowadays? Once they steal a car they just leve it parked up randomly in the street for a few days. They know that if after a week no-one has come looking for it then it obviously doesnt have a tracker.
I think their one of the best investments along with a snooper etc! But they cost so much!
Cough cough **Group Buy** Cough!!!
YOGi[:I]
Quote: posted by Essex Escy on 12/02/2005 08:52:43
how can a tracker prevent damage, and stop it being thrashed??
Well it can't, but it can reduce the likelihood. Because with an active tracking system, the police can be notified as soon as the vehicle is moved. There are plenty of cases where the police have been able to follow discretely without getting involved in dangerous chases, then move in and secure the car when it has stopped. In such cases damage should hopefully be limited to locks etc, which would not spoil your future enjoyment of the car.
Theft of most cars with decent security is by "professionals" not joyriders. The chances of you seeing it again without a tracking system to tell the police where it is are pitifully low - relying mainly on chance.
Anyway, it's your call.[^]
Do you know what car theifs do nowadays? Once they steal a car they just leve it parked up randomly in the street for a few days. They know that if after a week no-one has come looking for it then it obviously doesnt have a tracker.
I think their one of the best investments along with a snooper etc! But they cost so much!
Cough cough **Group Buy** Cough!!!
YOGi[:I]
I work at an Aston Martin dealer and they all have trackers as standard, but the Porsche's next door don't. They only fit them on models that have a retail value of over £50k otherwise its not worth it. So on a car worth under £20k second hand I wouldn't say there is much point.
Like reflex said above. You won't get much of an insurance discount, if any for having one fitted. But insurers insist that certain makes and models must have one fitted or they won't insure it.
But imo, if you have one fitted then activate it. I don't know what the annual premium is but it has to be worth it for piece of mind alone.
But imo, if you have one fitted then activate it. I don't know what the annual premium is but it has to be worth it for piece of mind alone.
Joined
·
10,275 Posts
5 year old thread.
[D]
Just for information though i have recently been looking at having a tracker fitted and my insurance company wouldnt offer any discount.
Looked at getting a Tracker Retrieve which can be bought including free fitting for £185 and then its £7 a month subscription.
[
D]Just for information though i have recently been looking at having a tracker fitted and my insurance company wouldnt offer any discount.
Looked at getting a Tracker Retrieve which can be bought including free fitting for £185 and then its £7 a month subscription.
Joined
·
8,092 Posts
I thought insurance companies would have given you a discount and a pat on the back for having a current activated Tracker....Just shows you[]
]1 - 19 of 19 Posts
