Car security and your insurance premiums
Tips to keep your car secure and information on how approved alarms, immobilisers and tracking devices can lower your insurance costs.
Making sure your vehicle is protected against theft can impact on your car insurance premiums. Many insurers offer discounts for cars fitted with alarms, immobilisers and tracking devices.
Immobilisers are seen as the best deterrent to the car thief
Here are some tips on how to keep your car secure:
- Make sure your car has an alarm or immobiliser professionally fitted - immobilisers are seen as the best deterrent to the car thief
- Get some security etchings on your windows and windscreen. Mark them with your registration number
- Mark your belongings such as your satellite navigation and stereo with your registration number. It makes them easier to trace should they be stolen
- If you have alloys, get locking wheel nuts. These make it almost impossible for them to be stolen, and are a cheap way of protecting your car
- If your car doesn't have a security system, use a steering lock each time you leave your car. A car thief will go for the easiest option and a steering lock will often deter them from taking your car
- Park somewhere safe, like in a garage or on a driveway. If you have to park on the road, make sure you choose a well lit area
- Choose a secure car park when out shopping rather than parking on the road
- Always make sure your belongings are out of sight when you leave your car. Either put them away in your boot or take them with you
Alarms and immobilisers
Insurance companies will sometimes insist a car has a certain level of security on it before they will offer insurance cover for it.
For example, if you drive a Porsche 911 worth over £60,000, you may need to install a tracking device before you can get insurance for it.
Even fitting an alarm and immobiliser to a mid-priced family car may mean a discount on your insurance as it reduces the risk of the car being stolen.
Newer cars usually come fitted with a factory standard alarm/immobiliser.
Older cars are more easily stolen as they have little or no security fitted, so it may be worth upgrading an older security system, or fitting an immobiliser to increase security.
To ensure you get the best from your security system, you should fit a Thatcham approved system.†
Thatcham provide the industry standards for safety and quality, so insurers will often only recognise Thatcham approved systems.
Should you opt for a telematics policy, it is possible that the black box used in your vehicle to monitor your driving performance will also act as a tracking device
Tracking devices
A tracker is a device that is fitted to your car and linked to a control centre.
If your car is stolen the police are advised where it is, so it can be quickly recovered.
This means that the risk of the insurer having to pay out for your car being stolen and not recovered is greatly reduced.
Telematics car insurance
Should you opt for a telematics policy, it is possible that the black box used in your vehicle to monitor your driving performance will also act as a tracking device.
As the price of the black box is often factored into the cost of your insurance premium, this can be a cost-effective option for getting a tracker for your vehicle.
