Tracker

[mbenz76]

Can't decide whether to get Tracker installed in the new car when it arrives.

Has anyone else got it and can recommend it?

 

[lynall]

Only if it reduces your insurance by a decent amount otherwise i wouldnt bother.




Lynall

 

[unit504]

i went for the RAC TrackStar as it reduced my insurance
(£350 to fit and then Costs £10 p/m there are optional extras you can have fitted also)

 

[N7OGP]

it's worth having even if it does not reduce you premium, there was a program on BBC last night, car cops etc,, in there lock up of stolen cars there was a row of mainly E classes.

 

[mbenz76]

Has anyone actually secured a reduction on insurance as a result of Tracker (or similar)?

I am with Direct Line and might ask them later.

 

[plgibson]

It is a condition of my insurance that it is fitted.

 

[EDZ649]

It is a condition of my insurance that it is fitted.

Some insurance companies do insist on one being fitted but don't necessarily give a discount. Just covering their own backs as usual...

 

[wemorgan]

Can't decide whether to get Tracker installed in the new car when it arrives.

Has anyone else got it and can recommend it?

It depends how you value your car. If it's something very special to you and you want that exact car returned if stolen, then yes. But if you're happy with an insurance replacement, then no.

I personally think that Trackers work best on classic cars, since these are harder to replace.

 

[Matt32AMG]

Some insurance companies do insist on one being fitted but don't necessarily give a discount. Just covering their own backs as usual...

Agreed, it seems nowadays it all forms part of insurance companies T&C's, like, do you hold a full driving licence. So, I have TRACKER fitted to both my cars. However it does add, I suppose, that extra peace of mind knowing that your pride and joy will at least have a better than average chance of being recovered, particularly the CLK being a rag top. I just hope I never have to find out how good these devices are

 

[CE230]

For a cheap tracker buy an old mobile phone and secrete it somewhere in the car and leave it switched on. You can find your car with a phone tracking service then.

 

[chiefski26]

 

[EDZ649]

For a cheap tracker buy an old mobile phone and secrete it somewhere in the car and leave it switched on. You can find your car with a phone tracking service then.

Lol, what happens when the battery goes flat?

 

[chiefski26]

.............. power it from the car battery ..........................

 

[momomo]

Has anyone actually secured a reduction on insurance as a result of Tracker (or similar)?

I am with Direct Line and might ask them later.

I got a reduction on my insurance because my car has a tracker fitted.

 

[Dryce]

Has anyone actually secured a reduction on insurance as a result of Tracker (or similar)?

I am with Direct Line and might ask them later.

We don't insure our R170 with DL because they demand that you fit a tracker and they're more expensive than other insurers who don't mandate a tracker.

Whether you get a worthwhile discount will depend on where you live, where you park, your car, and your insurer.

With the R170 Direct Line would have to discount down to about £50/year for us to break even on a tracker.

 

[x332race]

Found it cheaper to insure with a company not requiring a Tracker...also Tracker subscriptions were quite high! That was for a CLK320 convertible...

 

[mbenz76]

I called Direct Line (who I am with at the moment) and they said they do not offer a discount for Tracker. The call centre woman didn't know the reasoning behind it.

Tracker is something like £200 install and then about £150/year subscription, so even with 15% you would struggle to save money unless your premium was very high.

Having given it thought I do wonder whether it's worth it.

If the car is stolen and thrashed about but found using Tracker and returned before they can have their wicked way with it, I end up with my pride and joy returned having being abused in a way I would never abuse it and with most insurance companies refusing to make good wear and tear if not involved in a smash.

However with no Tracker, if they never recover it I get paid out and my VRI insurance covers the difference to new list price so I get a spanking replacement.

A tempting case for not having one if you think about it that way!

Does anyone know how long after your car goes missing the insurance companies will pay out if it's not found? As that could be the decider. If they insist on waiting for it to turn up then I would rather have it found quickly.

 

[lxi]

yes it is worth it.

Nobody will cover mine without one, but seeing it put to the acid test was impressive: short version, car broke down, roadside couldn't fix so loaded on to back of breakdown truck to take to nearest dealer - don't think we had moved more than 50 yards before my mobile rang with automated message "your car is being moved without the key inserted - is it being moved with your authority - press 1 for yes, 2 for no"

There are different levels of tracker & different annual subscriptions - I think mine is around £100 per year - cheap for the peace of mind.

Bear in mind that as anyone nicking you car will need to have a key to drive it, if they don't then the most likely is a low loader so (a) the car won't be getting hammered as it's not running and (b) low loaders can't move very fast so easily caught by plod.

 

[AdamG]

I recon it is worth having a tracker if your car is desirable to criminals. My brother had is Subaru stolen out of the drive. He quickly contacted the tracker company and it was located immediately. They liased with the police and it was recovered in a nearby council estate.
Apparently what they normally do is nick the car and park it up and leave it there for a couple of days to ensure it has no tracker.
The end result for my brother was he got his car back untouched apart from having to change the locks.

Adam

 

[mbenz76]

Does anyone know which insurance companies do give discounts for it? A quick Google gives nothing useful.