Additional security needed?

Additional security needed?

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Discussion

Pupp

Original Poster:

12,525 posts

287 months

Thursday 4th June 2020
quotequote all
In sorting insurance for new M2C, every other insurer and broker (and I have spoken to many this week) has 'suggested' a tracker will be needed and that off-road' endorsements will likely be imposed on the policy to prevent on-street parking overnight (my drive is short and straight off the street in a rural back road so not sure how that lessens any risk but there we go).

So, what's the accepted wisdom on trackers and the like on M cars these days? My instinct has always been to avoid add-ons that hack into can-bus circuitry and incur subscription costs but can see I might end up having to bite the bullet.

Are they really such a theft risk as all this seems to imply (the dealer says not but he would I guess - interestingly, BMW's own brand insurance stipulates trackers for M cars, which of course are not fitted as an OEM feature!)

It is specced with comfort access and I will shield and secure the keys but...etc

Really looking forward to its arrival but am now slightly apprehensive it doesn't get swifted toot suite… paperbag

Biggriff

2,312 posts

299 months

Thursday 4th June 2020
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You can go some more added security in the form of Autowatch GHOST. Its a sensible alternative to a Tracker.

Pupp

Original Poster:

12,525 posts

287 months

Thursday 4th June 2020
quotequote all
Thanks for the reply - am aware of the Ghost but seems not to hold much sway with insurers; clever and effective as it appears to be.

Smuler

2,287 posts

154 months

Thursday 4th June 2020
quotequote all
The firm I know who fit a lot of ghosts also fit a lot of these.
It’s the one with the tag or card I forget the term. If it’s not present in the vehicle , then the alerts get sent off.
I can’t have ghost , my Ms too old. But if I didn’t have garage etc. I like the idea of the tag , because if I was ever threatened for car , unlike with ghost , I’d have the option to hand over keys without having to enter codes under any duress.
Plus it can track , ghost can’t.
Insurance firms do seem to like the idea of recovery.
If you can manage maybe add a disklok when parked away from home. I’ve examples of them being a deterrent. I’m sure there are similar trackers , but it’s the principle of the tag I like.

http://smartrack.eu/product_range/CAT5.php

Mark83

1,285 posts

216 months

Friday 5th June 2020
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Where do you live? I didn't need a tracker for my new M4 CP and found competitive insurers not requiring them,

My thoughts on trackers are that they're easily circumvented by professionals and even if stolen by someone less professional, I wouldn't want my car back.

I fit a Disklok on mine and keys are kept in a Faraday pouch as I have comfort access too.

Pupp

Original Poster:

12,525 posts

287 months

Friday 5th June 2020
quotequote all
I'm in East Northants; pretty rural and I hadn't thought car theft was an especially prevalent issue but maybe I'm behind the times having previously had oddball (or too boring to half-inch) stuff.

Anyways, I've found good cover at the right premium after far too long on the phone to some good and some not so good agents and brokers.

I'm still not thrilled with the idea of a tracker and am not compelled to, nor have I had to submit to the off-road endorsements; but am thinking the Ghost could work well for me (perhaps plus other visible deterrents).

Roll on Tuesday! bounce

T1berious

2,512 posts

170 months

Sunday 14th June 2020
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Mark83 said:
I fit a Disklok on mine and keys are kept in a Faraday pouch as I have comfort access too.
^This^

I do this and use it everywhere. Seconds to fit and seconds to remove. If I'm approached while driving it, getting into it etc, I'll just handover the keys in a charming manner and get an Uber.

Seen way too many horror stories of people getting beaten to within an inch of their life over the car keys (someone I used to work with got her eye socket broken with a mallet over an A1).

Plus, not sure I'd want the car back

JMBMWM5

2,370 posts

213 months

Sunday 14th June 2020
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Look for another insurer if you can, Trackers are useless to a good thief, he will disable it in 2 minutes.

Weekendrebuild

1,053 posts

78 months

Sunday 14th June 2020
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Trackers are useless all they need is a £5 gps blocker and it’s gone

Mr Tidy

26,982 posts

142 months

Tuesday 16th June 2020
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Pupp said:
.

Anyways, I've found good cover at the right premium after far too long on the phone to some good and some not so good agents and brokers.

I'm still not thrilled with the idea of a tracker and am not compelled to, nor have I had to submit to the off-road endorsements; but am thinking the Ghost could work well for me (perhaps plus other visible deterrents).

Roll on Tuesday! bounce
Good news then OP - make sure you drive home the long way on Tuesday! driving

Pupp

Original Poster:

12,525 posts

287 months

Tuesday 16th June 2020
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I did... was last Tuesday! laugh


belleair302

6,975 posts

222 months

Tuesday 16th June 2020
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Trackers are NOT useless and if you do your research you will find devices that annoy easily be blocked nor disabled quickly. Pay the money install security and sleep well

Fulmentaljack3t

111 posts

121 months

Tuesday 16th June 2020
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When I bought my M last year I had to get a tracker fitted in order to obtain insurance, not heard of any restrictions on where the car can be parked though, can they really do that?
I had the same experience with BMW insurance, went to get the free 7 days drive away and they refused cover on the basis no tracker was fitted, and they would not allow any "grace period" to get one installed. BMW insurance said the dealer should have told me and the dealer, of course, said they'd never had an issue before! Was all rather annoying at the time.

I keep my keys in a faraday, and glad I do. Our parking is gated off but not exactly hard to access, a neighbour was up late a few weeks back and spotted 2 people trying to get into my car, gave them a shout and they ran off. Don't know if it was drunks, chancers or targeted, has made me more nervous though.