Insurance quote: "Is your car fitted with a tracker?"

[Topeka]

Time to renew our insurance and having to shop around. One question that comes up is "is your car fitted with a tracker?".

How do other ZS EV owners answer this? Obviously we can track the car using the iSmart app, but I'm not sure if insurers mean a third party fitted tracker or something more "hard-wired".

Also, bonus question - am I right in thinking the car has a Cat 1 alarm, but not an immobiliser or vice-versa?

Thanks

 

[securespark]

I'm sure MG track the car in the event of accident.

But is that only when the SOS button is pressed?

Or can the car be tracked at any time?


Edit:

This from my phone (about our car)

"AI Overview

Yes, the MG4 is considered to have a Thatcham-approved immobiliser and alarm, but no tracking device."

Not sure if the ZS is the same.
MG must trace the car, not track it.

 

[Topeka]

I'm sure MG track the car in the event of accident.

But is that only when the SOS button is pressed?

Or can the car be tracked at any time?


Edit:

This from my phone (about our car)

"AI Overview

Yes, the MG4 is considered to have a Thatcham-approved immobiliser and alarm, but no tracking device."

Not sure if the ZS is the same.
MG must trace the car, not track it.

I suppose it's asking in general terms, if the car is stolen can it be tracked. My view is "yes" as I can open the MG iSmart app and find its location (unless there is something driver-side that can be disabled by whoever is using the car).

Would be interested to hear what ZS owners have put. I assume the same technology is in the MG3/4 too.

 

[decrep]

>>>unless there is something driver-side that can be disabled by whoever is using the car).

Disconnecting the 12v battery would kill this ability. Not very likely, unless the car is going to be striped and sold for parts.

 

[Topeka]

Disconnecting the 12v battery would kill this ability. Not very likely, unless the car is going to be striped and sold for parts.

I suppose that would be the same option for anyone who had control of any car with a "proper" tracker like a high end Audi/BMW.

Still not sure what to answer this as, might just phone the insurer and ask.

 

[decrep]

Probably the best bet,

 

[Topeka]

(edit)

Spoke to my insurer (Admiral). They say the iSmart app tracker on the MG ZS is accepted as a tracker for insurance purposes, and doesn't have to be Thatcham-approved. Reduced my premium slightly.

 

[hmadsen]

I'm sure MG track the car in the event of accident.

But is that only when the SOS button is pressed?

Or can the car be tracked at any time?


Edit:

This from my phone (about our car)

"AI Overview

Yes, the MG4 is considered to have a Thatcham-approved immobiliser and alarm, but no tracking device."

Not sure if the ZS is the same.
MG must trace the car, not track it.

I can tell you, that in case of a crash, the car will not only be trackable, it will send you text messages.

I received 2 in as many seconds.

1. Collission warning for your MG SZ EV (serial) at time X
2. Airbags deployed in your MG SZ EV (serial) at time X

Also, the app will change to show the current location with a big red ring around it ..

The crash module has its own independent power source in case the car is damaged in such a way that they 12V batteri is disconnected or wiring is damaged, cutting the 12V to the unit.

I dont know how much battery it has, but maybe it has enough for MG to be able to track it even with 12V disconnected.

 

[mikewelsh]

Would an Apple airtag count as a tracker if it was hidden somewhere in the car?

 

[hmadsen]

Would an Apple airtag count as a tracker if it was hidden somewhere in the car?

Isn't that made so that if a thief has an Iphone he will get a warning that an airtag is "following him" ?

 

[DBedford]

I suppose it's asking in general terms, if the car is stolen can it be tracked. My view is "yes" as I can open the MG iSmart app and find its location (unless there is something driver-side that can be disabled by whoever is using the car).

Would be interested to hear what ZS owners have put. I assume the same technology is in the MG3/4 too.

But be aware iSmart location finder is sometimes WAY off. Our car, which I can touch should I open the study window, is showing as being 3 miles away in the next village!

About using AirTags as trackers : Can an Apple AirTag Be Used as a Car Tracker? - Tracker Team

 

[Gadget Geek]

I have just had my renewal quote from esure. I have been with them for 2 years now as last years quote was as cheap as any on the comparison sites.

Last year it was £674, this year . . . £1,068!!!!!

Do they think I have a bladder catheter? (Think about it)

Needless to say, I was straight on the comparison sites and found a telematics policy from Hastings for £552. I've had one of their telematics policies before and found it quite interesting to see how I was driving.

 

[DBedford]

Would an Apple airtag count as a tracker if it was hidden somewhere in the car?

No, AirTags are not permanently installed.

 

[Data]

Interesting about the tracker situation. After querying this very thing, my insurance company won't accept anything less than an insurance approved independent hidden tracker linked with a subscription to a tracking company. This is usually the case when they ask if you have a tracker fitted with most insurers. Get it right or your insurance is invalid.

 

[Lovemyev]

In cases like this, when you declaring if you have a particular type of insurance approved tracker system etc.
I just find it safer to air on the side of caution here and just tick the box with a NO myself - why ?.
If you declare this as YES on your proposal form and are unlucky to need a total loss expensive claim, for theft etc.
Then you can be 100% confident that the insurer, will go through that original proposal with a fine tooth comb.
If they find any loop hole in that proposal form, you are handing them the opportunity to refuse your claim.
It could be the most expensive few quid you have ever saved !.
Similar applies to house insurance.
“Do you have a burglar alarm fitted to your home”.
If you tick YES - Then the day you forget to arm it in a hurry, is the day your house gets raided.
You could be handing them a stick to beat you with.
Apply caution when declaring things that you may or may not have, because these can vary from one insurance company to another.
I upgraded ALL of the locks in our house about five years ago, to a standard that is recommended by most insurance companies at my own expense.
Did I declare this on my proposal - NO.

 

[Data]

I upgraded ALL of the locks in our house about five years ago, to a standard that is recommended by most insurance companies at my own expense.
Did I declare this on my proposal - NO.

You don't need to declare that you have fully insurance compliant locks in your home. Your insurer automatically assumes you have them. It's in the small print of your policy. It's the same for everyone. The problem comes if you are burgled & you DON'T have them.

 

[Lovemyev]

If you have external doors with euro type cylinder barrels and they are over 10 years old, they will not be fitted with anti snap, anti bump barrels as standard, due to the reduced cost of the very basic units.
If you doors are more recent, they will come fitted as standard with BS kite marked.

 

[Data]

Yes, most cylinder locks (90% or there abouts) from even 35 years ago have anti-pick pins in them & are anti-drill, unless they are the very very cheap cylinders. These are to BS3621 standard but that applies to the cylinders only. The Anti snap feature is a bit more recent & most people still don't have them unless the house is new or someone has specifically changed their locks for that type. My wife & I in addition to other businesses, owned & ran a locksmith business for 25yrs. The doors themselves and the actual lock gearbox that the cylinders fit into also have to be to a certain standard as does the lock keep on the latching side of the frame.

We also covered car security. Now that's an entirely different cup of tea!!

 

[hmadsen]

Back in 1998 when i bought my current house, the insuranse company sent me a notice with the insurance form.

It stated.....If any of the following types of lock is installed, the insurance does not cover and then pictures of the keys, one of which was my exact key.

These were "simple" lever locks, you could buy the keys for them in any hardware store, i think there were about 30 different ones, so if you had a complete set and 3 minutes, you were guaranteed to get in.

My house was fitted with those, so i promptly changed the doors to something more modern and fitted those with RUKO system locks that had 2 rows of pins, they can not be bumped and picking is not for "everyone".

Those are so safe i would claim, that any thief would find an alternative way of getting in....Possibly just smashing a window.

He would offcourse then have to deal with the CCTV cameras and the burglar alarm. (Plus the fact that when the alarm goes off, the light in front of my house starts flashing red, the electric roller blinds will open, the light in the house will start flashing.....And after 30 seconds, all of the Sonos speakers in the house will go to max volume and start playing "Fortunate son, by Creedense Clearwater Revival" and after it finishes they will divide into some playing an internal alarm sound, some playing police radio chatter and some will say something to the effect of "Anti theft defence measures being deployed, please vacate the premises immideately, to prevent harm to people")

Oh and also a set of speakers in front of the house will play police car sirene sound to stress the thief, as he might think the police is very close and closing in.

Soon i will receive another 6 Hue lamps on posts, these will offcourse also be added to the "Red flashing light"

Did i go a bit overboard.....Maybe (But it was extremely fun)

 

[Data]

Back in 1998 when i bought my current house, the insuranse company sent me a notice with the insurance form.

It stated.....If any of the following types of lock is installed, the insurance does not cover and then pictures of the keys, one of which was my exact key.

These were "simple" lever locks, you could buy the keys for them in any hardware store, i think there were about 30 different ones, so if you had a complete set and 3 minutes, you were guaranteed to get in.

My house was fitted with those, so i promptly changed the doors to something more modern and fitted those with RUKO system locks that had 2 rows of pins, they can not be bumped and picking is not for "everyone".

Those are so safe i would claim, that any thief would find an alternative way of getting in....Possibly just smashing a window.

He would offcourse then have to deal with the CCTV cameras and the burglar alarm. (Plus the fact that when the alarm goes off, the light in front of my house starts flashing red, the electric roller blinds will open, the light in the house will start flashing.....And after 30 seconds, all of the Sonos speakers in the house will go to max volume and start playing "Fortunate son, by Creedense Clearwater Revival" and after it finishes they will divide into some playing an internal alarm sound, some playing police radio chatter and some will say something to the effect of "Anti theft defence measures being deployed, please vacate the premises immideately, to prevent harm to people")

Oh and also a set of speakers in front of the house will play police car sirene sound to stress the thief, as he might think the police is very close and closing in.

Soon i will receive another 6 Hue lamps on posts, these will offcourse also be added to the "Red flashing light"

Did i go a bit overboard.....Maybe (But it was extremely fun)

This is wonderful!!