Benefits & downsides of fitting a tracker to a new car

[Mandat]

I’m due to pick up my new Mustang on 1 March, and I’m currently looking around at insurance.

My previous two Mustangs (2017 & 2019) were both insured with LV at a reasonable price back then. However, LV won’t now provide a quotation without a tracker being installed.

The question is, what are the benefits & downsides in getting a tracker fitted?

Can anyone share their tracker experiences, both good and bad.

[alscar]

2 main types - S5 and S7 - the former being the higher security one with a separate drivers fob which always needs to be carried on you whilst in the car.
S5 more expensive - in some cases a lot more.
Disadvantage therefore the need to carry the fob.
It may depend to an extent on what the Insurer wants.
It’s not so much about getting a discount off the premium but usually in excess of say £50k most Insurers will ask for one to be fitted.
Congrats on your car - what spec ?
I still have a Dark Horse on order and when I asked my Insurer in advance they said S7 would be acceptable but obviously each Insurer has their own views.

[66HFM]

Mandat said:

I’m due to pick up my new Mustang on 1 March, and I’m currently looking around at insurance.

My previous two Mustangs (2017 & 2019) were both insured with LV at a reasonable price back then. However, LV won’t now provide a quotation without a tracker being installed.

The question is, what are the benefits & downsides in getting a tracker fitted?

Can anyone share their tracker experiences, both good and bad.

Don't just stick with LV as you'd previously insured with them, have a look at other insurers including those without the need for a Tracker

[Zippee]

I've an S5 tracker on my AMG GT, but I don't have it subscribed.
I had an RS6 before that with the same system. That car was stolen and recovered within 6 hours due to the tracker.
However, after theft I didn't want it back. The theft just completely destroyed any love I had for the car and I took a 15k loss part exing as soon as it came back.

[Pica-Pica]

Surely all new cars (at least high spec) come with GPS trackers?

[GetCarter]

Pica-Pica said:

Surely all new cars (at least high spec) come with GPS trackers?

This. Mine certainly did. Not an option, just a given.

My app can not only see where it is at any one time, but lock/unlock - send police to it... etc.

Edited by GetCarter on Monday 3rd February 17:10

[Phil.]

GetCarter said:

Pica-Pica said:

Surely all new cars (at least high spec) come with GPS trackers?

This. Mine certainly did. Not an option, just a given.

The thing is, the naughty people who steal cars tend to know exactly where the factory fitted trackers are and rip them out within a few mins of taking it. My friend had a FF Range Rover stolen. They ripped out the factory tracker in 2 mins. Luckily he had an extra tracker fitted and the police caught up with the stealer a few minutes later.

I’ve had additional trackers fitted to several Range Rovers and quite often I’ve had a call from the extra tracker when the Land Rover tracker hasn’t noticed anything. A good example was on the Chunnel when the car began moving with the engine off and they called me before we had descended in to the tunnel.

I prefer MetaTrack https://metatrak.co.uk/

[GetCarter]

Phil. said:

GetCarter said:

Pica-Pica said:

Surely all new cars (at least high spec) come with GPS trackers?

This. Mine certainly did. Not an option, just a given.

The thing is, the naughty people who steal cars tend to know exactly where the factory fitted trackers are and rip them out within a few mins of taking it. My friend had a FF Range Rover stolen. They ripped out the factory tracker in 2 mins. Luckily he had an extra tracker fitted and the police caught up with the stealer a few minutes later.

I’ve had additional trackers fitted to several Range Rovers and quite often I’ve had a call from the extra tracker when the Land Rover tracker hasn’t noticed anything. A good example was on the Chunnel when the car began moving with the engine off and they called me before we had descended in to the tunnel.

I prefer MetaTrack https://metatrak.co.uk/

Fair enough. Not needed here of course, but I understand the paranoia down south... I had two cars stollen when I lived in England. One of the reasons I moved here. Can't believe JLR haven't got their act together regarding this.

[Pica-Pica]

Phil. said:

The thing is, the naughty people who steal cars tend to know exactly where the factory fitted trackers are and rip them out within a few mins of taking it. My friend had a FF Range Rover stolen. They ripped out the factory tracker in 2 mins. Luckily he had an extra tracker fitted and the police caught up with the stealer a few minutes later.

I’ve had additional trackers fitted to several Range Rovers and quite often I’ve had a call from the extra tracker when the Land Rover tracker hasn’t noticed anything. A good example was on the Chunnel when the car began moving with the engine off and they called me before we had descended in to the tunnel.

I prefer MetaTrack https://metatrak.co.uk/

Yeah, I understand that.

[Benson11]

Pica-Pica said:

Surely all new cars (at least high spec) come with GPS trackers?

Unfortunately not all connected car services trackers are Thatcham/insurance approved and accepted

[InitialDave]

Any warranty implications from having one fitted?

[Mandat]

Thanks for all the advice.

I wasn't planning on fitting a tracker, but want to explore the option if it results in lower insurance costs.

I still need to do more research but my gut feeling is that the costs of the tracker will be higher then any insurance savings I might achieve.

Also, good shout on the warranty being affected by a third party tracker installation. Another thing to add to the research list.

[alscar]

InitialDave said:

Any warranty implications from having one fitted?

I have had multiple trackers fitted over the past on a variety of different manufacturers and afaik all have been pretty much plug and play with no splicing into existing wiring.
As such I don’t believe there would be any warranty issues not that a single dealer has ever raised the point not I have even thought to ask.

[Phil.]

alscar said:

InitialDave said:

Any warranty implications from having one fitted?

I have had multiple trackers fitted over the past on a variety of different manufacturers and afaik all have been pretty much plug and play with no splicing into existing wiring.
As such I don’t believe there would be any warranty issues not that a single dealer has ever raised the point not I have even thought to ask.

I’m the same. Land Rover even ask if anything extra security has been fitted when I drop it off. I’ve told them about various trackers and immobilisers and it’s if they expect it nowadays. No issue with warranty stuff in more than 15 years.