Foxguard Alarms-Thatcham approved?

[simba]

I have a 1992 V8S fitted with a Foxguard Alarm. The problem is unfortunately,that I never received any installation documentation/certification along with the car history and the seller was unable to produce it when I purchased the car a year ago. Now that I am due to renew my insurance with a different company at a better rate, I am being asked to provide a copy document/certificate. The alarm is in A1 condition. If it was fitted around time of first registration would it have been certificated, Thatcham approved? Can anyone advise me here? Thanks, Eric Benn

[GreenV8S]

In general your insurance company will be able to send you the current list of approved alarms, or you could get it direct from Thatcham. But I think you'll find that even if it is listed, TVR replaced the ultrasonic sensor with a microwave one, invalidating the Thatcham approval. Your best bet might be to fit an extra approved immobiliser. I got a Clifford Virtual Key system for something like £100 fitted, arming and disarming is automatic so it's no hassle at all to use. Also nice to know the car is immobilised even if I don't arm the alarm for any reason.

Cheers,
Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)

[aphelion]

The problem is more likely to be that whatever was Thatcham approved when the car was new probably isn't now. We had this issue with our V8S (1991) and ended up installing a second immobiliser to get the Thatcham rating (not much point in removing the first one, as they're a b*gger to reinstall once the wire coding has been removed, and anyway we reckoned that two immobilisers had to be better than one - that is until they go wrong!!). Ours wasn't Foxguard though, so you may be able to resolve it with the insurers if your type has a more enduring approval rating.

[simba]

Thanks for the advice lads. Ive been shopping about and been offered a very good deal locally which involves removing the existing alarm and replacing it with a cat 1 Thatcham alarm. I think I`ll just end up doing that for peace of mind. The premium savings over the next 2 years should pay for it!!!Thanks again, Eric Benn.

[JSG]

I've got the full Thatcham list on my other PC, I can mail it to you if you want. I found my installed Immobiliser was approved.

Cheers,
JSG

[simba]

JSG Please do, thanks. EB

[JSG]

Simba,

Mail me with your email address and I'll send it to you, its in Adobe format.

There are a number of Foxguard alarms in the list but the approval seems to have ended in 1998. It may be theat the manufacturer did not resumbit for approval. The earlier number is in the list.

Many Ins Cos just want cat 2 security (ie immobiliser only), these are approx £110 fitted. They must be fitted by an approved installer (VSIB rated). There is a list of approved installers on the VSIB site.

Cheers,
JSG

[JMorgan]

I think Fox Guard are no longer as is. But I have been told that a report from an approved alarm installer will suffice, depends on the insurer? I had a Fox Guard on my 350 that was Thatchm Cat 1 and accepted by the insurer over the yaers till last year (changed the car).
Not sure what that may cost but might be a lot cheaper?