Motorhome trackers.Well

LynneB60
LynneB60 Forum Participant Posts: 5
edited April 2016 in Motorhomes #1

Well ,we have bought the motorhome,spent two days finding insurance and now it s tracker time.Any advice would be appreciated.The insurers have stated it should be category 5 or 6 but where do we start?

Comments

  • InaD
    InaD Club Member Posts: 1,701 ✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #2

    Who are you insured with?  It's probably too late now, but we're with Comfort Insurance and they state either alarm OR tracker for MHs up to £75000.  Insurance companies differ in their requirements for alarm and/or tracker system.

    On 1 previous MH (bought secondhand) there was a Phantom Tracker fitted, which we then transferred when changing.  The disadvantage is that you can't carry the subscription over to another MH when you change, as it is linked to a particular MH.  So you end up paying again.  On our last change we left it and as Comfort didn't insist on it, we've just got an alarm fitted.

  • thebroons
    thebroons Forum Participant Posts: 165
    edited April 2016 #3

    We recently changed m/h and our previous insurance company would not cover the new m/h due to the value. 

    We finally got insurance with AIB insurance who had no stipulation for an alarm or tracker and they were very competitive in their pricing.  The final price including UK and European Breakdown with repatriation was cheaper than other companies for insurance
    alone. 

     

  • LynneB60
    LynneB60 Forum Participant Posts: 5
    edited April 2016 #4

    To be fair,the insurance hasn't stipulated fitting a tracker but I feel that it's peace of mind although I never worried about the caravan being stolen!! I have had a look on the internet but there are so many and it's a minefield.

  • JimE
    JimE Club Member Posts: 353
    100 Comments Photogenic
    edited April 2016 #5

    Before going ahead with a Tracker system, bear in mind that some models can be very battery hungry - ours Phantom system will flatten our vehicle battery within 14 days of continuous use, necessitating our MH to be kept permanently on EHU in storage.

    Fitting a solar panel and a split charger can help overcome this problem, but that doesn't help us as our MH is stored under cover in a farm building.

    Personally, I wouldn't go for a tracker next time, I would invest in a good alarm/immobiliser system with remote signalling, but you still need to be aware of the power consumption it requires.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited April 2016 #6
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  • Gordon Craig Powell
    Gordon Craig Powell Forum Participant Posts: 54
    edited April 2016 #7

    If you are tech minded, you can buy and install your own tracker for @ £60 and the cost of a PAYG sim!! Quite interesting to read how cheap the technology is! 

    Not sure if it would be insurance approved and on my jobs list to try myself!!

  • QFour
    QFour Forum Participant Posts: 442
    edited April 2016 #8

    ..

  • LynneB60
    LynneB60 Forum Participant Posts: 5
    edited April 2016 #9

    Thank you all for your comments.Heres another question.Has anybody had a tracker fitted by TrackerFit?Their prices are very good and they come to your home.I have looked at VanBitz but they are at the other end of the country from where I am.I am also getting
    details of alarms,windscreen covers and reversing cameras !!Boy,this owning a motorhome is stressful.

  • royandsharont
    royandsharont Forum Participant Posts: 735
    100 Comments
    edited April 2016 #10

    I have a COBRA tracker fitted & a COBRA alarm to which I added an intergrated gas alarm. No problems in past 3.5 years. I have an 80w solar pannel fitted which keeps my vehicle battery charged in storeage & no problems there either. Regards, Roy

  • Stewartwebr
    Stewartwebr Forum Participant Posts: 171
    edited April 2016 #11

    Well here is my tuppence worth...don't bother!

    We had to have a tracker fitted due to the value of the motorhome, no one would provide cover without one. They all stipulated CAT5 as that is the highest Thatcham Tracker currently available, incorporating key theft prevention.

    The system cost me £799 to install and £189 a year to maintain. The insurance is new for old, so if the van is stolen I get a new one. Therefore only the insurer benefit from the tracker, but assume thats factored into the premium.

    Personally if my van is stolen I never want to see it again and collect a new one from the insurer...thank you!

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,389 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #12

    I agree with Stewart but I occasionally have second thoughts!

    The NFU will insure high value motorhomes without a tracker.

    peedee

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited April 2016 #13
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  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,389 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #14

    Better to have good anti theft devices in the first place DD, a good immobiliser and good alarm system.

    peedee

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited April 2016 #15
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2016 #16

    Tracker used to sell a Lifetime subscription. You cannot transfer it to another vehicle but from memory it paid for itself in about 3 years so worth buying if you plan to keep the van/motorhome for longer than that.

  • triky auto
    triky auto Forum Participant Posts: 8,690
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2016 #17

    Undecided , Hmmm, slightly niggling ,is the text every time i start up !!   "Vehicle battery low " But iv'e been driving for
    hours ,and the battery sounds fine !! .

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited April 2016 #18
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  • Stewartwebr
    Stewartwebr Forum Participant Posts: 171
    edited April 2016 #19

    I agree with Stewart but I occasionally have second thoughts!

    The NFU will insure high value motorhomes without a tracker.

    peedee

    NFU were excellent and I insured with them for years. When I tried to insure current van I was informed the limit for a vehicle without Cat 5 Tracker was £150K therefore I needed one.

    Caravan Club were excellent and who my previous van was insured with. Initially I was informed they could do nothing for me. When I called back on another matter, the lady said she could refer my case to my current provider which she did and came back with
    an excellent premium, actually less than I was paying for the previous van. I can never work out insurance premiums. The only issue was the policy paperwork they delivered stated value at £100K as the system does not allow for anything higher. This was rectified
    by an official letter stating this to be the case and confirming the actual insured value.

  • Stewartwebr
    Stewartwebr Forum Participant Posts: 171
    edited April 2016 #20

    I should have asked this in my prevous post, If you intended to have a tracker fitted why did you not inform your insurance provider at the time you were getting quotes to allow them to apply the discount.

    When I bought my new van I informed them of the details of the tracker, although not yet fitted and I was given 72hours from taking delivery to have it installed.

    You may have saved some money.

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,389 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #21

    Undecided , Hmmm, slightly niggling ,is the text every time i start up !!   "Vehicle battery low " But iv'e been driving for
    hours ,and the battery sounds fine !! .

    Sounds like your starter motor is dragging the battery voltage below the alarm threshold. It could be you battery is on the way out?

    peedee

  • triky auto
    triky auto Forum Participant Posts: 8,690
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2016 #22

    Undecided , Hmmm, slightly niggling ,is the text every time i start up !!   "Vehicle battery low " But iv'e been driving for
    hours ,and the battery sounds fine !! .

    Sounds like your starter motor is dragging the battery voltage below the alarm threshold. It could be you battery is on the way out?

    peedee

    Write your comments here...Thanks "peedee" .Will get it checked out !!Undecided.