Why should I bother having security fitted?
Why should I bother having security fitted?
Im the first to admit that I have a lot more awareness of vehicle security than most, My parents started a company doing this in 1986 and I was born in 1991 so I have always been around it. I am familiar with it and it seems strange to me driving a vehicle without. Back in the day it was possible to buy a car without an alarm. A quick check has only shown me four vehicles (all vans) what don’t have alarms as standard now. So why bother having one fitted?
In a previous blog I spoke about right to repair and why factory security isn’t very effective, but I do think that a deeper question needs to be answered. Why should I bother? If the manufactures don’t care why should I?
Simple answer is they don’t care. Now there’s quite a common conspiracy theory that they eep the vehicles easy to steal so they sell more cars. I mean this doesn’t really hold the much water when you think about the cost to insurance companies. Also the odds of the average customer having a Ford Fiesta stolen and then choosing another Fiesta is slim, truth be told the average person is going to be that annoyed they will buy a Vauxhall Corsa out of spite and frankly nobody wants that.
The stuff we sell isn’t cheap. We have programs where we discount products for social reasons. But even then its still not cheap and I understand that there is no promise that you will get any discount on your insurance. So it seems like a zero sum game for you, spend money for a device you cannot see and your car stays where it is.
What happens is my car gets stolen?
Immediate issues
Lets be honest you wake up one morning and your car has disappeared, there’s a good chance the next words out your mouth will make a sailor blush. But what happens then? You have a school run? Uber or feet power it is. You need to be in work? Uber it is. Doctors appointment? You can either cancel it and wait for another one or uber it is. Uber is a fantastic thing it however is not free.
Your next step is to report it to the local police force. This is a 101 call not a 999 call. Which means you’re going to spend a bit of time on hold. Its not the call takers fault the systems. The figures I founders from 2021 and its shows anything from 10 minutes to 2 hours on hold. Lets be honest this time that you could be doing doing something else (Source 1)
Then you get the joy of dealing with your insurance company. The insurance industry themselves have said this is an issue (Source 2). You’re going to be on hold for a while, the insurance company will then take you through their processes, often you have a hire car as part of your policy. Most insurance companies will not close the claim until 30 days have passed. Which if you have a hire car isn’t a major issue but if you don’t have one or if the one provided isn’t fit for purpose then you’re stuck in limbo unless you have the funds to buy, tax and insure another vehicle. (Source 3)
The one that gets forgotten and especially in cases where the theft is completely electronic is the mental effect of it. Even if you aren’t a car person we all really on cars as part of our lives be it getting the kids or going to get chicken wings. But its a massive invasion of trust. You trusted the manufactures to make a car, you trusted the police to keep you safe. Nothing will quite feel the same again and honestly its the most heartbreaking part. (Source 4)
Long term issues
So the insurance companies pays out, you settle any finance what may be owing and you’re back where you’re started. You’re looking at cars, I know this from personal experience is a pain in the backside. The used car market has been increasing sadly for the last couple years, what this realistically means is that you wont be able to get the same quality of car for the same price you paid 2 years ago. (Source 5)
Then it comes to insurance, but you’re going to be taking a hit. You’ve had a claim against you. You’re going to be paying for that. (Source 6) and (Source 7). So even if you buy a new car and end up somewhat square the costs of the theft will continue to impact on your insurance premiums for up to 10 years. Then ironically the insurance company can ask you to have security fixed at your cost anyway.
Short term it will cost you to have security added to your vehicle, But the peace of mind of your vehicle staying where it is and not having to deal with the ongoing issues.
