What is a S5 tracker? Why does my insurance company want me to have one?
What is a S5 tracker? Why does my insurance company want me to have one?
Insurance is a requirement to drive in the UK (Source 1). Insurance companies are requesting additional security measures to combat the increase in claims they are paying (Source 2) the most common thing they will ask you to do is to fit a Thatcham Approved Tracking Device. Often they’ll require it to be a S5
Nobody really knows the voodoo that insurance companies use to determine who needs to have what fitted to their vehicles. (Source 3) but its certainly becoming a bigger thing. More often than not they request a S5 tracker. (Source 4)
What is a Thatcham S5 Tracker?
A Thatcham S5 tracker is a tracker which works in a two stage system. It can be upgraded to include vehicle immobilisation which can be controlled either through the tag or by the control centre.
In order for a tracker to be categorised as a S5 it has to meet the following criteria
Driver recognition ADR cards or tags
Connected to an uninterrupted power supply
Hidden in the vehicle behind panels what require tools to remove
Battery back up which can last a minimum of 30 days if the power is disconnected
Level 5 IMI control centre
And quite a bit more. But this is the main things that the insurance companies are looking for. The rates of recovery increase up to 90% (Source 5)
What makes a S5 tracker effective?
The main difference between the S7 and S5 trackers is the driver recognition tags. This depending on the brand can be achieved by either a keyring tag, a card or through a smartphone app. If the vehicle is moved without the driver recognition a phone call is generated alerting you to a possible theft, the onus is then on you to confirm or deny.
What is my tag for on a thatcham S5 tracker?
The best way to think of it is like two stage authentication for your car. If your car key is the first step then the secure tag is the second. Without the second step either the vehicle won’t start or you will get a phone call from the control centre.
What is the difference between a S5 and S5 Plus tracker?
The difference between a S5 and a S5 plus is immobilisation. With a S5 plus is that without the tag present the vehicle will not start. In addition to this the immobilisation is able to be controlled at polices request by the control centre. Making it handy for old school The Bill style stakeouts.
Will this bring my insurance premiums down?
The truth to the this is maybe. The witchcraft that insurance companies use to determine a price is only known to those and god. However there is a possibility that you will get a discount on insurance, however more likely the insurance company will make it a requirement if your vehicle is over a certain value. (Source 6)
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