Finally got our new Ocean _ Get a GPS tracker ?

[Pixcels]

We've had VW campervans in the past when the children were growing up but now we are retired and got ourselves a new Cali Ocean. So chuffed and can't wait to take it on a shake down road trip.
Having a little trouble with insurance though - almost everyone is demanding a GPS tracker system.
Well, I spent a large part of yesterday trying to inform myself about trackers and got buried in data.
The kit seems to be reasonably priced but the monitoring can be up to £150 p.a. which is a lot !!
Any recommendations from the community ??

 

[WelshGas]

Change Insurance Company?
Caravan &Motorhome Club didn't require a tracker. Not the cheapest insurer but you get what you pay for. Also New for Old on a new vehicle.

 

[Nick.C]

Comfort insurance didn’t require a tracker either. Quite a lot of people on this forum seem to have installed an Autowatch Ghost, which is meant to stop people driving the van away in the first place - not sure if this makes any difference to insurance though.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Comfort insurance didn’t require a tracker either. Quite a lot of people on this forum seem to have installed an Autowatch Ghost, which is meant to stop people driving the van away in the first place - not sure if this makes any difference to insurance though.

Dont believe insurance companies recognise the Ghost yet.
But it’s bloody good piece of mind...

 

[Ting Tong]

I’ve got this one: £60 for the tracker and £5 a month subscription or what they call top up. Easy to fit and a good app or use a pc. Good alerting too once you’ve got the hang of setting it on the pc. Tip is to have one zone around your home and another covering everywhere you’re likely to go in it.

DB2 Self-Install

DB2 Self-Install GPS Tracker for real-time vehicle tracking, 2 minutes easy installation, compatible with motorcycles and cars.

www.rewiresecurity.co.uk

 

[gvick]

Plus two for comfort.
@Loz recomended Ghost immobiliser and I’ve had one fitted - brilliant service and
Peace of mind - recommended on here and t6 forum

 

[Redrick Esq.]

I dont understand insurance companies demanding trackers

Trackers are easily defeated these days and IMO it is better to prevent the theft in the first place as personally i wouldnt want it back if it had been stolen

Ghost Imobilizer for me

 

[WelshGas]

Why don't the Insurance Companies recognise the Ghost?

 

[Legin]

I guess because it doesnt track it once its gone.

 

[be1t0n]

I actually went through Admiral as they were by far the cheapest for me. No tracker needed.

 

[Loz]

I guess because it doesnt track it once its gone.

No, because its so new there is not a Thatcham category for immobilisers that do not break a circuit.

 

[Lightning]

Dont believe insurance companies recognise the Ghost yet.
But it’s bloody good piece of mind...

I think approved installers exist now who are recognised by instance companies.
To defeat the ghost you just need to snip it’s power supply wire, so if it can be located it’s easy to defeat. As Loz pointed out in previous threads, the installation is key.

 

[Legin]

No, because its so new there is not a Thatcham category for immobilisers that do not break a circuit.

My point being that its still just an immobiliser not a tracker . Insurers looking for something after the event not before. Trouble with the Ghost is how long before you get dragged out of bed to press the buttons. Been around for a while now.

 

[gvick]

Ghost do offer a discounted tracker fitting as well from memory £125 off if you have it fitted at same time as Ghost (which I did).
At the end of the day as others have previously commented (on similar threads) if a thief really wants a vehicle then they will put it on a low loader and jam the tracker - hopefully precautions like Ghost/tracker mean they will try easier vehicles steal IMHO.

 

[Wild Bob]

We've had VW campervans in the past when the children were growing up but now we are retired and got ourselves a new Cali Ocean. So chuffed and can't wait to take it on a shake down road trip.
Having a little trouble with insurance though - almost everyone is demanding a GPS tracker system.
Well, I spent a large part of yesterday trying to inform myself about trackers and got buried in data.
The kit seems to be reasonably priced but the monitoring can be up to £150 p.a. which is a lot !!
Any recommendations from the community ??

I had similar issues when I tried to insure my new Cali ocean. As part of the deal I had 5 days free cover from Vw Insurance, they also asked if they could give me a quote which they did. I was surprised at the price given. Try them they don't ask for tracker and always use approved VW repairers, my quote was £450

 

[BeagleMum]

We've had VW campervans in the past when the children were growing up but now we are retired and got ourselves a new Cali Ocean. So chuffed and can't wait to take it on a shake down road trip.
Having a little trouble with insurance though - almost everyone is demanding a GPS tracker system.
Well, I spent a large part of yesterday trying to inform myself about trackers and got buried in data.
The kit seems to be reasonably priced but the monitoring can be up to £150 p.a. which is a lot !!
Any recommendations from the community ??

Aviva are a decent insurer & no tracker required

 

[Velma's Dad]

I've never been asked to fit a tracker on any vehicle I've had insured, including Cali. Maybe you're in a high-risk postcode or something?

In financial terms, having a tracker mainly benefits the insurance company, not you... if your van is stolen but not recovered, you get the insurance money to replace it. Okay that's simplistic, you might see other reasons for wanting to recover the van, but if not then it's certainly worth shopping around for an insurer that doesn't require the tracker.

 

[WelshGas]

I think you have to differentiate between the joy rider/opportunist and the professional thief.
Professional, if they want it they will get it. Ghost or tracker withstanding.
Somehow I don't think the California is prone to Joyriders. Breaking in and taking stuff, as reported on the Forum is far more likely.
Recent reports of Awning and RNS 510 being stolen would not have been stopped by an aftermarket immobilizer or tracker.

 

[Pixcels]

Well we did have a tracker and immobiliser fitted and it does give a certain sense of security.
we are in the first flush of love with our Cali - never had a new one before so feeling very protective.
Personally I would have gone for a low mileage one with some dents and scrapes but my wife has dreamed (literally) of a new one for years.
We’ll just have to be careful with her (the Cali, not the wife !) and