UK Tracker systems - any recommendations?

In my experience most insurance co's don't require it and very few offer discounts for having one. So why bother. You wouldn't really want the car back if it's stolen would you, especially if it's then classed as stolen recovered and your resale value is impacted.

Try confused.com or gocompare.com for some comparison quotes or try morethan. for some non tracker quotes.

Trackstar GPS is now becoming more commonly used. The tracker "signal" systems are becoming obsolete, with less police forces buying in the receiver equipment.

Good example is strathyclyde police up here in scotland. Despite being the biggest police force in Scotland they only have a couple of cars with the Tracker signal-based equipment. While the rest of the traffic cars are equipped with the GPS receivers.

So, whatever one you go for, make sure it's a GPS based system. Very soon we'll see less and less signal based systems being installed, and therefore, less chance of recovering your car if it's stolen.

I've always used Tracker without any probs & have to say its been good at getting discounts on the insurance despite what others may or may not believe. Dont bother with the full monty package they offer, the stolen recovery package is all you need.
I searched around a hell of a lot for the best insurance and found elephant to be not only the cheapest but also the most comprehensive even if the excess is slightly higher than normal (I think £500 off the top of my head).
UPDATE: Traker Horizon is the one I have (GPS based) but also with the older VHF technology as backup.

I searched around a hell of a lot for the best insurance and found elephant to be not only the cheapest but also the most comprehensive even if the excess is slightly higher than normal (I think £500 off the top of my head).

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It doesnt work that way with insurance. You could get 10 different people all using the same quote engine and get 10 different insurance companies come out top. Each insurer targets certain markets and will be competitive in those but could be uncompetitive in others.

When I did my insurance, only a couple of companies insisted in tracker and their prices were not that great with it. That doesnt mean that a further discount was not available on some of those where it wasnt required.

I think we're missing the point here, in 99% of the case tracker is not a worthy buy just for reducing insurance quotes thats just an added benefit of it.

But I will say that when it comes to insurance companies that will only insure a car with tracker fitted they will generally in my experience blow all others away on price & package. The cheapest I got on the S5 without tracker was about £1250, with Norwich Union and Elephant who both insisted on tracker I got £1040 & £940. There has to be something in that!

I used to have a Navtrak unit fitted to my Impreza,quite reasnoable running/installation costs.Never had any probs in 6 years of ownership,and it can be removed and fitted to another vehicle.Got good insurance discounts the first few years. Mal..

We're insured with Morethan. They were by far the cheapest @ £530 for the S5 and only slightly more £580 for my RS4 with low excesses (£150 & £300 respectively), all without trackers. Based upon my calc taking into a/c annual and installation costs you need to be able to save approx £300 per annum on your insurance to cover the costs of tracker.

joegals said:

Chaps, whilst looking for insurance quotes, I realised that the majority of potential providers are insisting that having a tracking devise fitted is a condition o cover. The Direct Line site has a drop-down box listing about 20 options (of which I'm only really 'familiar' with the three actual 'Tracker' options.

Anyone care to give advice on which is the best price/performance combo? TBH, I'm probably more concerned with beingable to put a tick in the box and get some cover rather than agonising over tech specs, but would be interested in any wisdom from the Board!

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Yep, going through the exact same thing after realising yesterday that my insurance is void without a tracker.

Im planning on taking it to Audi and asking them.

My insurance doc quotes;

'we will not be liable for loss or damage as a result of theft unless the vehicle has a pro-active anti theft vehicle tracking system installed that uses satellite GPS technology'

So i'll just get one of those

Thanks lads, useful feedback. I'm of a mind to stay with Direct Line (with whom I've been for the last 5 years or so) and they are insistent upon Tracker fitment as a condition of cover.

I agree with the point though that modern GPS tracking systems are worthy of consideration in their own right. I'd rather get a car back within a few hours with a couple of scuffed rims and a bit of panel damage than never see it again, with all the hassle and potential financial penalties that might involve.

That said, I believe it must also have a positive effect on premiums. Can't do a 'with Tracker/without Tracker' comparison on this car on DL, obviously, but my current quote is ~£800, some £200 less than my current GT, with the same excess. And that's with a little 'blot' on my driving history from about 10 years ago (of which I'm not proud).

I arranged a change of cover from my BMW to my forthcoming A5 with my insurance company (Privilege) yesterday and they are insisting on a tracker device of some sort.

I did a bit of research and this seems to be good deal. Price includes fitting and they come to you (or the dealer I hope).

The Christmas Special deal is valid for a booking made in December for fitting in the New Year i.e. you don't have it fitted in December, just booked.

Horizon for the same price as Monitor can't be bad -and they are cheaper than the dealer fitted price - who will probably contract the work to the same local area fitter anyway.

Nice one Reb - thanks for this, I'll get in touch with them!

[email protected] said:

Only £487 Fitted.

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RAC Trackstar is only £399 fitted

Then £109 per year, which is cheaper than tracker too.

Im going for an RAC Trackstar

I've been told I need a Tracker too - insurance quote is coming in at around £ 500, € 772 to be exact

REB_A5 said:

I did a bit of research and this seems to be good deal. Price includes fitting and they come to you (or the dealer I hope).

The Christmas Special deal is valid for a booking made in December for fitting in the New Year i.e. you don't have it fitted in December, just booked.

Horizon for the same price as Monitor can't be bad -and they are cheaper than the dealer fitted price - who will probably contract the work to the same local area fitter anyway.

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Reb, just contacted them, they're happy to honour the 'Christmas special' until the end of Jan and will visit the dealer as soon as the car's in. Appreciate the tip!

[email protected] said:

How long have you waited for your new S5?

Did you enjoy the wait?

Tracker increases the recovery rate of stolen vehicles, many recovered intact within 24 hours.

Why wouldn't you want one?

Get it fitted, if it's done before delivery at PDI then you get full 3 years warranty at Audi dealerships.

Only £487 Fitted.

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Matt,

I had one on my S4 and found it made no difference to the insurance quotes.

Yes, you'd probably get the car back after some tea-leaf had lifted it, but as mentioned before, would you really want it, especially if it gets classed as 'stolen/recovered'.

Assuming you only keep a car for up to 3 years from new (not true for everyone, I know) then GAP insurance seems a better idea - and roughly half the price too. I've found a quote for my 3.0TDi for £208 for 3 years of cover. That way you get the original cost price of the car back anyway.

If you are paying that for GAP insurance, check the small print. There are many products out there, not all give you what they say. To discuss the differences call me 01256 307500.

Not a sales ploy, but it is easier to explain properly, after all I can't sell you GAP on a car you haven't bought from me.

joegals said:

Reb, just contacted them, they're happy to honour the 'Christmas special' until the end of Jan and will visit the dealer as soon as the car's in. Appreciate the tip!

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You're welcome. I ordered my system today for fitting on Jan 2 at the dealers. Should collect the car 5 Jan (tries to find fingers crossed smiley).

I actually saw my car today as it was being taken out for some diesel - only the number plate was wrong. I have a personal plate that starts S18 - and they put 518 on it. My wife and I had a good look at it when it came back (and pointed out their error). I'm glad I did as well because I'm still wary of switching from BMW to Audi and today's visit reaffirmed that I am doing the right thing.

You lucky man - almost yours! I heard yesterday that mine is due to board the boat on 28th - dunno how long it will take for the boat to get round here though, and then I need the reg. transferred and the tracker done. Still looking at mid Jan.

It's the most frustrating period of my life - know what I mean?