THATCHAM approval 4 my GTS Coupe???
Discussion
Gidday all,
My GTS Coupe arrives in the UK next week & I have got a fairly good insurance deal off Tesco's but they won't confirm theft cover until I provide proof the immobiliser/alrm meets THATCHAM Cat 1 or 2. The HSV ESS system, complete with HSV DNA data dots is exactly the same as the VXR which I assume meets all UK criteria?? How do I satisfy this beurocratic BS?? It's the same damn system by a diff name. Any help much appreciated.
SHAMBLES
BTW.... Looking forward to getting involved with HSV UK enthusiasts once my REAL Monaro hits pommy land!
My GTS Coupe arrives in the UK next week & I have got a fairly good insurance deal off Tesco's but they won't confirm theft cover until I provide proof the immobiliser/alrm meets THATCHAM Cat 1 or 2. The HSV ESS system, complete with HSV DNA data dots is exactly the same as the VXR which I assume meets all UK criteria?? How do I satisfy this beurocratic BS?? It's the same damn system by a diff name. Any help much appreciated.
SHAMBLES
BTW.... Looking forward to getting involved with HSV UK enthusiasts once my REAL Monaro hits pommy land!
Hey GTSCoupe/HSVGTSCoupe, welcome to the forums. I'm usually in the Oxford area (Bayworth) visiting the mother-in-law on a regular basis. Would be good to meet up sometime soon. Drop me a line with your contact details if you'd be so kind.
My car had a Meta Systems alarm/immobiliser fitter when it came to the UK by it's previous owner. This is in addition to the standard stuff. No problems with the insurance companies so far.
You're right though. Most insurance companies that I've dealt with for this car (and previous) insist on seeing proof that you've actually got this Cat 1 fitted. This usually means sending them the original installation certificate (You will get it back). Some may accept a copy. If you send the original, make sure you take a copy
It all depends on the insurance company. Most will send you the certificate of motor insurance, but you'll only have a limited time to prove you've got the Cat 1 before they start hounding you.
In your situation, it could be difficult to prove even if you get something from Holden in writing. The problem is it won't have gone through the Thatcham testing procedures so can't be classified as a Cat 1 system. Most UK insurance companies won't know what car you're trying to insure let alone what alarm system you have. They'll simply see it as a manufacturers defacto alarm, which mostly means to them that it's not a Thatcham Cat 1.
Best advise is shop around or get a Cat 1 fitted in parallel. Unless others have different ideas.
My car had a Meta Systems alarm/immobiliser fitter when it came to the UK by it's previous owner. This is in addition to the standard stuff. No problems with the insurance companies so far.
You're right though. Most insurance companies that I've dealt with for this car (and previous) insist on seeing proof that you've actually got this Cat 1 fitted. This usually means sending them the original installation certificate (You will get it back). Some may accept a copy. If you send the original, make sure you take a copy

In your situation, it could be difficult to prove even if you get something from Holden in writing. The problem is it won't have gone through the Thatcham testing procedures so can't be classified as a Cat 1 system. Most UK insurance companies won't know what car you're trying to insure let alone what alarm system you have. They'll simply see it as a manufacturers defacto alarm, which mostly means to them that it's not a Thatcham Cat 1.
Best advise is shop around or get a Cat 1 fitted in parallel. Unless others have different ideas.
Thanks all for the feedback so far...
Personal background for those who asked.. Born in UK, left aged 4, pretty much been in Oz since, Melbourne's my home & Collingwood my team - (I swear I will never call soccer football!). I manage a Japanese electronix/instrument business near Oxford after running their Oz subsiduary for a while, always been a Holden nut and progressed - VT SS, VT-II Clubbie, GTS Coupe. LUV IT! Lookin forward to spinnin some hoops wiv u guys and findin someone who can hook me up wiv some OP Bundy once my 8 litres of stock is exhausted!!
Cheers, Julian
Personal background for those who asked.. Born in UK, left aged 4, pretty much been in Oz since, Melbourne's my home & Collingwood my team - (I swear I will never call soccer football!). I manage a Japanese electronix/instrument business near Oxford after running their Oz subsiduary for a while, always been a Holden nut and progressed - VT SS, VT-II Clubbie, GTS Coupe. LUV IT! Lookin forward to spinnin some hoops wiv u guys and findin someone who can hook me up wiv some OP Bundy once my 8 litres of stock is exhausted!!
Cheers, Julian
I have been onto Adrian S Flux about this Thatcham alarm stuff and they have agreed to class all HSV/HOLDEN/VAUXHALL's with the ESS system fitted as being upto Thatcham class 1...........
So if you have had a problem with getting a quote from them because of the alarm please try them again.
if you have ANY PROBLEMS please talk to "Craig Darwin" and always mention the Drivers club for the best price...........
"HSVGTSCoupe" Flux should be contacting you....please keep me upto data on price and service.....
So if you have had a problem with getting a quote from them because of the alarm please try them again.
if you have ANY PROBLEMS please talk to "Craig Darwin" and always mention the Drivers club for the best price...........
"HSVGTSCoupe" Flux should be contacting you....please keep me upto data on price and service.....
I suffered the same problem, coming in with the QLD plates. I ended up going with NatWest, as they would insure it on QLD plates, without any problems at all.
Initially was going to insure with Adrian Flux, but in 2 months their quote went up from $860 to £1200. OUCH.
Anyhow, give NatWest a go for a quote as well.
Cheers
Jace
Initially was going to insure with Adrian Flux, but in 2 months their quote went up from $860 to £1200. OUCH.
Anyhow, give NatWest a go for a quote as well.
Cheers
Jace
UPDATE.....
Thanx to all those who gave feedback. (esp Paul)
I am now insured with Tesco's, at £815 for the year with £400 excess. Did not need the THATCHAM approved alarm but sent about a zillion bits of paper covering details of the ESS system and a letter from LSV explaining the perils of changing it. Pickin up the wheels from the docks on Friday... hopefully it's still in one piece! Thanx again.
Julian









Thanx to all those who gave feedback. (esp Paul)
I am now insured with Tesco's, at £815 for the year with £400 excess. Did not need the THATCHAM approved alarm but sent about a zillion bits of paper covering details of the ESS system and a letter from LSV explaining the perils of changing it. Pickin up the wheels from the docks on Friday... hopefully it's still in one piece! Thanx again.
Julian









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