Track That Car!

Although, generally we love our cars, we are also guilty of taking them for granted like a neglected spouse. It’s only when they are taken from us by someone else – like a neglected spouse – do we remember how attached we were to the vehicle and how devastated we are for the loss. For total peace of mind the solution is to fit a tracking device – to the car, obviously, your spouse probably wouldn’t like it.

Tracking a car is simple. The tracking system is installed by experts who hide it in secret places to minimise tampering by thieves. The device communicates with a base station so that the location of the car is known at all times. Thanks to modern electronics in our keys the trackers know when a car is started and removed without the key holder being present. In other words they know when it is being nicked and can inform the police accordingly.

A tracking device is usually hidden in the car such that only the installer knows where it is. Most owners with trackers fitted have no idea where they are placed. If your car is stolen, the security centre is able to track it and hence recover it faster. It is not uncommon for the tracking service to know that a vehicle has been stolen before the owner is aware. The first the poor old driver knows about it when the service phones through to check.

Having a tracker installed isn’t cheap. On a Porsche, for example, it is likely to cost around £1000 including one years service contract. There will also be an annual fee thereafter too. On the other hand Porsches are not cheap and your insurance company will be mindful of that. Installing a tracker may seem like an outlay too far but it could have real benefits when it comes to insurance premiums. In this way, over time, some or all of the initial outlay is recovered. Just like your car in fact.

These systems work and the rate of safe recovery is very high indeed. Car thefts in general are down because of the improvements in vehicle security throughout the industry but the high-end thieves are still actively seeking out the good stuff. If they suspect a tracker is fitted they may well leave your car alone. There is no doubt that investing in a tracker is worthwhile and also, when the car is sold, the tracker can transfer ownership. That has got to be a plus selling point.