Approved Tracker

[GrumpyGranddad]

I know there have been questions on this in the past but does anybody have recent experience of fitting an Insurance Approved tracker? Did your insurer insist on a tracker being fitted?Also, if permanently wired to the Cali, is it best to connect to the engine battery circuit or to the leisure batteries circuit? If permanently wired what’s the power draw?

 

[Karlos]

I had no problems with insurance with just the standard VW security, I did however also use a steering wheel lock as a visual deterrent.

Never wanted a tracker as if my Cali was nicked by some scrote I would not want it back.

 

[kurienp]

I know there have been questions on this in the past but does anybody have recent experience of fitting an Insurance Approved tracker? Did your insurer insist on a tracker being fitted?Also, if permanently wired to the Cali, is it best to connect to the engine battery circuit or to the leisure batteries circuit? If permanently wired what’s the power draw?

GGD, best to ask the insurer if they have an "approved" tracker list and you can chose from on there?

What I have heard on here - the discounts offered by the insurance companies are not much ... and also the "tracking" is not very effective most of the times. It has been more of neutral or negative experience than positive on here.

As Justin mentions above - usually the specialist insurance companies know how good the vehicle security is ... and they go as per that. A steering lock is a good visual deterrent.

There are many trackers available on the market. If your Cali is used regularly, then you would never notice the power draw. But if it is not, then IMHO, a ghost is a better option.

One of the Ghost installers in the UK https://immobiliserdirect.com/ has a deal on ... to fit a tracker for free with an Autowatch ghost. May be an option to have that as an option ... along with the Ghost as the primary security device?

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

GGD, best to ask the insurer if they have an "approved" tracker list and you can chose from on there?

What I have heard on here - the discounts offered by the insurance companies are not much ... and also the "tracking" is not very effective most of the times. It has been more of neutral or negative experience than positive on here.

As Justin mentions above - usually the specialist insurance companies know how good the vehicle security is ... and they go as per that. A steering lock is a good visual deterrent.

There are many trackers available on the market. If your Cali is used regularly, then you would never notice the power draw. But if it is not, then IMHO, a ghost is a better option.

One of the Ghost installers in the UK https://immobiliserdirect.com/ has a deal on ... to fit a tracker for free with an Autowatch ghost. May be an option to have that as an option ... along with the Ghost as the primary security device?

Thanks both. Yes already have a steering wheel lock. Probably won’t go for a tracker unless the insurer insists. Actually, it’s very easy to repurpose an old iPhone as a tracker using the ‘Find my friends’ function. Plug it in, hide it away, and forget it.

 

[Karlos]

Thanks both. Yes already have a steering wheel lock. Probably won’t go for a tracker unless the insurer insists. Actually, it’s very easy to repurpose an old iPhone as a tracker using the ‘Find my friends’ function. Plug it in, hide it away, and forget it.

Does it need to have life in the battery?

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

Does it need to have life in the battery?

It would if you wired it to a switched supply I guess, but if wired to an always on supply I guess not?

 

[Californication69]

Having a Smartrack Trident and Ghost 2 (II) fitted on Saturday. I’ve called 5 different insurances. And also done the Comapre the market, Go Compare and moneysupermarket.

Only LV have reduced my premium when I filled the website with a tracker.
Collecting C on Friday, with free 5 day VW, then starting LV on 7th Oct.
Quotes ranged from £1000+
3 quotes around £478 to £550
And LV at £268.
that includes Buisness use, 15k miles (7500 each)
Legal, hire car. LV are outstanding insurance.
Is your Cali White/Bronze GrumpyGrandad ?

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

Having a Smartrack Trident and Ghost 2 (II) fitted on Saturday. I’ve called 5 different insurances. And also done the Comapre the market, Go Compare and moneysupermarket.

Only LV have reduced my premium when I filled the website with a tracker.
Collecting C on Friday, with free 5 day VW, then starting LV on 7th Oct.
Quotes ranged from £1000+
3 quotes around £478 to £550
And LV at £268.
that includes Buisness use, 15k miles (7500 each)
Legal, hire car. LV are outstanding insurance.
Is your Cali White/Bronze GrumpyGrandad ?

Thanks for that, LV looks good value.
The photo is a stock image but I have a white/bronze Ocean on order. Build scheduled to start next Monday so hopefully I’ll have it late November?

 

[Californication69]

I had an unmissable opportunity to get a 2 month old white/bronze. Picking up Friday.
We saw one in the flesh at Droitwich (Roof hydraulics had failed)
Wife was blown away with how amazing it looked, myself included.
Its a stunning colour combo.
Good luck and fingers crossed it arrives sooner

 

[WelshGas]

Having a Smartrack Trident and Ghost 2 (II) fitted on Saturday. I’ve called 5 different insurances. And also done the Comapre the market, Go Compare and moneysupermarket.

Only LV have reduced my premium when I filled the website with a tracker.
Collecting C on Friday, with free 5 day VW, then starting LV on 7th Oct.
Quotes ranged from £1000+
3 quotes around £478 to £550
And LV at £268.
that includes Buisness use, 15k miles (7500 each)
Legal, hire car. LV are outstanding insurance.
Is your Cali White/Bronze GrumpyGrandad ?

Check the small print that you are actually covered for " camping accidents " such as a fire when cooking, electrical fire from leisure electrics, roof damage when roof up or damage to awning when being used. Many cheaper insurance quotes just insure agains " normal " car accidents . This is not the case with specialist Leisure Vehicle insurers who are often more expensive.

Eg: I pay £460 with the Caravan & Motorhome Club. 20K /year upto £5000 camping/leisure equipment and they know exactly what a California is , its facilities and what it is capable of.

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

Check the small print that you are actually covered for " camping accidents " such as a fire when cooking, electrical fire from leisure electrics, roof damage when roof up or damage to awning when being used. Many cheaper insurance quotes just insure agains " normal " car accidents . This is not the case with specialist Leisure Vehicle insurers who are often more expensive.

Eg: I pay £460 with the Caravan & Motorhome Club. 20K /year upto £5000 camping/leisure equipment and they know exactly what a California is , its facilities and what it is capable of.

Good advice, thanks. Will check out a few but from various other posts I was thinking I’d probably go with the Caravan & Motorhome Club.

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

I had an unmissable opportunity to get a 2 month old white/bronze. Picking up Friday.
We saw one in the flesh at Droitwich (Roof hydraulics had failed)
Wife was blown away with how amazing it looked, myself included.
Its a stunning colour combo.
Good luck and fingers crossed it arrives sooner

Great, enjoy your new toy. Have you bought any additional goodies for it yet?

 

[Wogga]

Having a Smartrack Trident and Ghost 2 (II) fitted on Saturday. I’ve called 5 different insurances. And also done the Comapre the market, Go Compare and moneysupermarket.

Only LV have reduced my premium when I filled the website with a tracker.
Collecting C on Friday, with free 5 day VW, then starting LV on 7th Oct.
Quotes ranged from £1000+
3 quotes around £478 to £550
And LV at £268.
that includes Buisness use, 15k miles (7500 each)
Legal, hire car. LV are outstanding insurance.
Is your Cali White/Bronze GrumpyGrandad ?

What about contents cover? is there any?

 

[Californication69]

I shall phone LV this afternoon and go through with a fine toothed comb exactly what they cover and what they don't.
I don't want to over insure myself, as I have good House Insurance which includes 5K of contents away from home, which I need to call and ask them what is covered under the home policy.
I am thinking there would be around 2K GBP worth of contents inside the van.
@GrumpyGrandad. What haven't I bought !!|
But I didn't know the Cali Ocean comes with a Euro Cable? I have just downloaded the checklists.
Says there is one in there?
So far I have. S2Sduluxe camper mattress. Martian pillows, duvet, cover & pillow covers. Porta Potti345, and associated cleaning & bog roll. low watt folding kettle, toaster (that dosent fold) led usb strip lights, surf changing robe, decathlon shower tent, pump up shower, cable tidy, volt tester, boxes from euro place, ridgemonkey connect compact, stop lock pro elite, fiaama ramps, extra table with aluminum extending legs, Coleman outside fuel stove. family at home say its like Birmingham postal sorting office in our porch Ha.

 

[Californication69]

Forgot to say this was LV Campervan specific insurance. Google LV Campervan Insurance

 

[Borris]

I know there have been questions on this in the past but does anybody have recent experience of fitting an Insurance Approved tracker? Did your insurer insist on a tracker being fitted?Also, if permanently wired to the Cali, is it best to connect to the engine battery circuit or to the leisure batteries circuit? If permanently wired what’s the power draw?

I've owned three Calis to date. I paid £500+ to have each of the first two vans fitted with monitored Vodaphone Cobra track Plus trackers and then paid annual premiums of about £145 on top. I found the service from Vodaphone was poor. No renewal reminder send year after year and when contacted they didn't have a clue! The insurance said that having this tracker didn't make any difference to my premium.
On our latest Cali I thought I wouldn't bother with an expensive one so I purchased a stand alone tracker that you recharge monthly and has it's own sim card. You can text it and ask it where it is and it sends you messages when it's battery is getting low. Is it any good? I don't know and I hope I never need to find out. This time the insurance company said it wasn't a recognised tracker so there was no reduction in the premium.

So what have I learned?
1. I already knew that insurance was a racket. Nothing new there then.
2. Only fit a tracker if you would want your van back. Sounds a daft statement but if it had been taken and partially stripped or damaged how would you feel about it after that incident?
3. As far as I'm aware very few, if any, of the Calis reported stolen on this forum have ever been recovered. I cannot recall a single case of one being found and returned to it's owner. I don't know if any had trackers fitted but anyway I'm sure savvy theives would be at least one step ahead of the game.

Conclusion: Is it really worth bothering!

 

[Californication69]

Ghost II
Scenario 1. Get to your destination. Switch off.
I still don’t know if I get keyless start in a California 6.1 ?
But if it is or if it is t, then take keys out and put them on the back seat.
engines off.
Nip to the loo, petrol station, check in, open boot.
as long as the Ghost 2 is working then they can never start the van
Scenario 2.
Middle of the night, they lift your Cali onto the back of a low loader and make off. Smartrack trident will will ring my mobile on both numbers in my iPhone 11. Physical Vodafone sim and eSim for EE and ask me if I’m moving the Cali without ignition switches on. They and me can watch and track it live. I ring Police and explain I am following my stolen Cali and will wait for the police to arrive when they stop or stay on the phone while I follow it. In the wife’s or daughters or her BoyF car.
So IMHO I think it’s worth it.

 

[WelshGas]

Forgot to say this was LV Campervan specific insurance. Google LV Campervan Insurance

Just read the Policy Document and basically the only difference is an increase from £300 to £1000 for personal possessions on the Camper/Motorhome policy. Can't leave roof up on Campsite if vehicle unattended and no mention of damage to roof, awning due to any cause related to camping etc; nor any camping extras such as Driveway Awnings.
Basically a Car Policy with an uplift to Personal Possessions cover.
As long as you are happy, but not for me I'm afraid.

 

[WelshGas]

Ghost II
Scenario 1. Get to your destination. Switch off.
I still don’t know if I get keyless start in a California 6.1 ?
But if it is or if it is t, then take keys out and put them on the back seat.
engines off.
Nip to the loo, petrol station, check in, open boot.
as long as the Ghost 2 is working then they can never start the van
Scenario 2.
Middle of the night, they lift your Cali onto the back of a low loader and make off. Smartrack trident will will ring my mobile on both numbers in my iPhone 11. Physical Vodafone sim and eSim for EE and ask me if I’m moving the Cali without ignition switches on. They and me can watch and track it live. I ring Police and explain I am following my stolen Cali and will wait for the police to arrive when they stop or stay on the phone while I follow it. In the wife’s or daughters or her BoyF car.
So IMHO I think it’s worth it.

You can jam a Tracker electronically.
Only needs 1 rogue Ghost Fitter.

 

[Borris]

Ghost II
Scenario 1. Get to your destination. Switch off.
I still don’t know if I get keyless start in a California 6.1 ?
But if it is or if it is t, then take keys out and put them on the back seat.
engines off.
Nip to the loo, petrol station, check in, open boot.
as long as the Ghost 2 is working then they can never start the van
Scenario 2.
Middle of the night, they lift your Cali onto the back of a low loader and make off. Smartrack trident will will ring my mobile on both numbers in my iPhone 11. Physical Vodafone sim and eSim for EE and ask me if I’m moving the Cali without ignition switches on. They and me can watch and track it live. I ring Police and explain I am following my stolen Cali and will wait for the police to arrive when they stop or stay on the phone while I follow it. In the wife’s or daughters or her BoyF car.
So IMHO I think it’s worth it.

Your plan assumes that the police have the equipment, resources and the will to play ball. The Police have to prioritise the incidents that they respond to and I suspect vehicle theft isn't near the top of their list. You may be lucky but often their resources are spread out so thinly dealing with other more pressing issues that by the time they respond, your Cali would be in a container and half way to who knows where.

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

I've owned three Calis to date. I paid £500+ to have each of the first two vans fitted with monitored Vodaphone Cobra track Plus trackers and then paid annual premiums of about £145 on top. I found the service from Vodaphone was poor. No renewal reminder send year after year and when contacted they didn't have a clue! The insurance said that having this tracker didn't make any difference to my premium.
On our latest Cali I thought I wouldn't bother with an expensive one so I purchased a stand alone tracker that you recharge monthly and has it's own sim card. You can text it and ask it where it is and it sends you messages when it's battery is getting low. Is it any good? I don't know and I hope I never need to find out. This time the insurance company said it wasn't a recognised tracker so there was no reduction in the premium.

So what have I learned?
1. I already knew that insurance was a racket. Nothing new there then.
2. Only fit a tracker if you would want your van back. Sounds a daft statement but if it had been taken and partially stripped or damaged how would you feel about it after that incident?
3. As far as I'm aware very few, if any, of the Calis reported stolen on this forum have ever been recovered. I cannot recall a single case of one being found and returned to it's owner. I don't know if any had trackers fitted but anyway I'm sure savvy theives would be at least one step ahead of the game.

Conclusion: Is it really worth bothering!

Interesting summary. I won’t get one unless the insurance company insisted. What I am planning to do though is to repurpose an old iPhone I have. Hide it in the van somewhere with a permanent connection. It has a PAYG SIM card in it loaded with £25 but that should last a long time because the phone will not make calls or send texts. Using our other phones we’ll use the Apple ‘find my friends’ function to track the vehicle if stolen (or find it if we forget where we’ve parked ).

 

[Loz]

Interesting summary. I won’t get one unless the insurance company insisted. What I am planning to do though is to repurpose an old iPhone I have. Hide it in the van somewhere with a permanent connection. It has a PAYG SIM card in it loaded with £25 but that should last a long time because the phone will not make calls or send texts. Using our other phones we’ll use the Apple ‘find my friends’ function to track the vehicle if stolen (or find it if we forget where we’ve parked ).

I considered doing that, but in the end, I sold the old phone on Fleabay and used the cash to buy a Back2You dedicated tracker.

 

[subthree]

or find it if we forget where we’ve parked

When you use the WeConnect app on your phone it shows you where you have parked.

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

When you use the WeConnect app on your phone it shows you where you have parked.

Ah yes. Forgot that

 

[Wogga]

Forgot to say this was LV Campervan specific insurance. Google LV Campervan Insurance

Hope it covers my needs as I have been with LV for years.