Vehicle tracking systems for insurance
There are two types of vehicle tracking systems for insurance. Unfortunately, if your insurance company specifically requests a Category 5 device, there is no point in trying to negotiate with the less expensive Cat 6 system.
GPS Vehicle Tracking
Both Cat 5 and Cat 6 use GPS vehicle tracking. This means that when the car is stolen, they do not need to be near a police vehicle for the trace to begin.
Both categories require a monitoring subscription. This is a fee paid directly to the company that produced the system installed in the vehicle. GPS monitoring is provided through a secure command center, which is manned 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This level of monitoring is always a required feature for ongoing insurance compliance.
System Differences
However, there are significant differences between the two systems.
First of all, a Cat 6 system is considerably cheaper to install and also comes with lower annual subscription costs.
Cat 5 systems are more sophisticated with additional features designed to address particular types of car theft. These include electronic key duplication as well as key theft and theft, ensuring that the police are notified as soon as possible.
One of the main advantages of category 5 systems is that, once stolen, the vehicles can be controlled remotely from the secure command center.
insurance requirements
Cat 5 devices appear to be an insurance requirement on new cars above a certain value. In these cases, it is usually impossible to obtain insurance without a Category 5 system installed and monitored. Certain car makes and models are associated with this category, and as insurance companies share information, it becomes a necessity for the database to be read on the screen.
That’s why if your insurance company specifically requests a Cat 5, there’s no point in trying to negotiate the cheapest Cat 6. It will be interesting to see, if cars depreciate over time, if a Cat 5 will always be required.
It is unusual for tracking devices to be required when renewing insurance, for example on high-value appreciated cars. However, as vehicles change hands and new policies are needed, this is a time when they can be requested. It’s worth saying that insurance employees are rarely aware of the differences between the two systems, and the type of system required should reflect the current value of the car. In general, in these cases, unless a car is rare or of high value, then a Category 5 system is not reasonable.
Trafficmaster offers Trackstar Cat 5 and Cat 6 systems. Their products are recommended by BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, Range Rover and are therefore backed by the appropriate car manufacturer warranties.