Vehicle security guide for vans

The importance of vehicle security cannot be underestimated, both in terms of minimising losses to the insurance industry and for the vehicle owner's peace of mind.

The importance of vehicle security
What is Thatcham?
Van security
Vehicle tracking
How to buy tracking devices

The importance of vehicle security

At Groupama there are a number of vehicles for which we require a particular level of security to be fitted, generally due to either the vehicle value, or its theft attractiveness. In addition, we may offer premium discounts to those policyholders who choose to fit additional security.

We require all vehicle security systems to be fitted by VSIB approved installers. The VSIB (Vehicle Systems Installation Board) have a code of practice by which all installation companies must comply in order to maintain their accreditation, and therefore provide a guarantee of fitting standards. More information can be obtained via their website, www.vsib.co.uk.

We have agreements with two national security providers, Trackstar and TOAD Group, who will undertake to install the appropriate devices to our client's vehicles at discounted rates.

What is Thatcham?

The Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre, more commonly known as Thatcham, was established in 1969 by the British insurance industry, to take responsibility for vehicle security testing, to undertake safety research, to test and classify vehicle parts, and to train vehicle repair technicians.

The Vehicle Security Department began in 1993, with the mandate to test the effectiveness of security devices, initially just for private cars, being extended later to encompass commercial vehicles and motorcycles.

Since 1993, Thatcham have tested hundreds of after market immobilisers, alarms and tracking devices. Once compliant, the approved systems are placed on the Thatcham Vehicle Security National Listing.

The Vehicle Security Department keeps manufacturers and insurers updated with reports and statistics on vehicle theft, and provides information for the ABI Group Rating Committee, who decide the grouping of each vehicle for insurance purposes. They also run the National Security Helpline, which advises consumers and insurers on matters such as the compliance of a system, finding an authorised installer, and help in contacting a manufacturer.

Vehicle security systems evaluated by Thatcham must comply with particular criteria, before they can be accredited. These are then reviewed every twelve months. The current categories and their main features are as below. More information can be obtained via their website, www.thatcham.org.

Category	Key features
Category 1 - Combined Alarm and Immobiliser	Alarm with full perimeter protection and volumetric detection, battery backed-up siren. Immobiliser isolating a minimum of 2 operating systems passively armed. Anti-scan, anti-grab resistance of key codes.
Category 2 - Electronic or Electromechanical Immobiliser	Immobiliser isolating a minimum of 2 operating systems passively armed. Anti-scan, anti-grab resistance of codes.
Category 3 - Mechanical Immobiliser	Immobiliser isolating a minimum of 1 operating system. Easy to arm and disarm. Attack resistant to a high level using a comprehensive range of hand-tools. Permanently or temporarily installed.
Category 5 (Tracking devices)	Transmitter hidden within the vehicle. Transmitter activated automatically at time of unauthorised vehicle movement, and continuously monitored via GPS satellites until a recovery can be made Vehicle securely guarded from time of recovery, and then delivered back to client Ability to remotely immobilise the car once it is stationary Monitoring operated via 24 hour secure operating centre (must be bombproof!) Monitored Europe-wide. System will recognise that a theft is occurring, even if the keys are taken with the car 24 hour police response agreement
TQA (Thatcham Quality Accreditation)	Unlike categories 1,2,3 and 5, this is not confirmation of the quality or effectiveness of a system. No tests need to be passed in order to receive Q class accreditation. Thatcham simply ensure the system performs as claimed, demonstrates the potential for loss reduction, is reliable and durable, and can be installed safely and securely into the vehicle

Van security

It is unusual for us to require a Tracking device to be fitted on vans that we insure, although we will insist on a Thatcham approved immobiliser being fitted to some vehicles if the value of the vehicle exceeds £20,000. These will usually be fitted as standard by the manufacturer, but we do offer the following premium discounts should the systems be fitted retrospectively.

Please note that, when calculating the discount, the quote system takes into account a number of factors, including the home address, and where the van is kept overnight, meaning that the actual discount received may be less than is quoted below.

Type of security device	Maximum discount
Thatcham Category 1	Up to 10%
Thatcham Category 2	Up to 5%
Thatcham Category 3 or another electronic alarm or immobiliser	0%
Approved Tracking device	Up to 10%

Tracking devices

Tracking devices have been widely available for a number of years, and there are now many different systems on the market. There are two primary methods of monitoring, either by radio signals, which generally only operate effectively over a short distance, and via GPS satellites, which offer a far greater operational capability both in terms of distance and accuracy.

There are also two primary methods of activating a tracking system. The more basic devices are re-active, meaning that the theft must be reported to the monitoring centre, who can then track the car. Most systems now are pro-active, whereby the car is automatically monitored if it is started without the keys. In addition, due to the increase in the frequency of theft incidents involving the taking of keys, some trackers now have the ability to detect a theft even if the keys are being used, via a "driver recognition" transponder card that identifies the authorised driver.

Thatcham separate tracking devices into two categories. Firstly, "TQA" encompasses all types of tracking system, and unlike their other security categories, does not confirm the quality or effectiveness of a device. It simply ensures that the system performs as claimed by the manufacturers, that it has the potential for loss reduction, that it is reliable and that it can be securely and safely be installed in a vehicle.

The second category is Thatcham Category 5 accreditation. In order to achieve this, the tracking system must activate automatically at the time of the theft, even if the keys are taken, and then continuously monitor the vehicle via GPS satellites until a recovery can be made. There must be a 24 hour monitoring centre, which can operate throughout Europe, an agreement to guard the vehicle until it can be recovered to it's rightful owner, and the ability to remotely immobilise the car once it is stationary.

For information on specific devices and their accreditation, please to see www.thatcham.org

We offer the following discounts for the installation of the above tracking devices. Please note that, when calculating the discount, the quote system takes into account a number of factors, including the home address, and where the vehicle is kept overnight, meaning that the actual discount received may be less than is quoted below.

Type of policy	Maximum discount for approved tracking device
Optima Van	Up to 10%

How to buy

Groupama have agreements with two national security providers, Trackstar and TOAD Group, who will undertake to install the appropriate devices to our client's vehicles at discounted rates. For more information, please contact one of the providers below.