X5 Insurance - Tracker?

[mclachlan4321]

Ive just tried to insure my new X5 (UK) and discovered that a lot of the insurance companies insist on having a tracker fitted.

anyone else found this? any companies that don't insist?

Any recommendations on tracker type?

thanks.

[worsy]

Yup, got one on mine. Used trackingmycar.co.uk get the bmw approved trackstar at 225 fitted.

[xdriverx]

That's interesting. It's not a requirement in the US. At least not from the companies I've worked with. I can see this becoming a requirement in the future for theft & fraud prevention.

[Tommyvee]

I believe I read a recent article in the BMWCCA Roundel mag. that the X5 is pretty popular with thieves in the UK

[Baunton]

Originally Posted by mclachlan4321

Ive just tried to insure my new X5 (UK) and discovered that a lot of the insurance companies insist on having a tracker fitted.

anyone else found this? any companies that don't insist?

Any recommendations on tracker type?

thanks.

I use Tracker....have done on previous 5 Series and X5.
In my experience only Aviva require it.
I'm currently with Axa and did not require it but having it fitted does reduce your premium ~£250 is what I pay.
Tracker have a good web which you can see where your car has been, how much fuel you used etc...good fun!
They also offer a discount if you pay for three years so works out as good value, IMO.

[Baunton]

Originally Posted by Tommyvee

I believe I read a recent article in the BMWCCA Roundel mag. that the X5 is pretty popular with thieves in the UK

Allegedly THE most popular car amongst UK car thieves!

[worsy]

Originally Posted by Baunton

I use Tracker....have done on previous 5 Series and X5.
In my experience only Aviva require it.
I'm currently with Axa and did not require it but having it fitted does reduce your premium ~£250 is what I pay.
Tracker have a good web which you can see where your car has been, how much fuel you used etc...good fun!
They also offer a discount if you pay for three years so works out as good value, IMO.

Interesting AXA did with me. Value over 60k though.

[Baunton]

Originally Posted by worsy

Interesting AXA did with me. Value over 60k though.

Yup same here....they must think I am a better risk

[BMWMN1971]

Interesting!!! Is that different from the way BMW tracks your car in case of an accident? I once pressed the BMW Assist button on my car and the person new excatly where I was. I thought if the card was stolen they would be able to track it by using this system.

[Baunton]

Originally Posted by BMWMN1971

Interesting!!! Is that different from the way BMW tracks your car in case of an accident? I once pressed the BMW Assist button on my car and the person new excatly where I was. I thought if the card was stolen they would be able to track it by using this system.

It's similar, it's using a different SIM and triangulation of cell towers and GPS.

[worsy]

Originally Posted by Baunton

Yup same here....they must think I am a better risk

Older

[Baunton]

Originally Posted by worsy

Older

One of the few benefits

[BMWMN1971]

So the already included BMW tracking system would not be enough?

Originally Posted by Baunton

It's similar, it's using a different SIM and triangulation of cell towers and GPS.

[atlantiQue]

Maybe it could be enough if BMW opened it to serve as a more universal after theft alarm system which would trigger alarm if car is towed with ignition off or if it required additional identification of driver (some variants of the tracking systems do so). Current system of BMW is too proprietary and serves limited purpose of road assistance or emergency in case of an accident only.

[stewy604]

I'd have a big problem with yet another entity knowing where I am at all times, especially an insurance company.

[Baunton]

Originally Posted by stewy604

I'd have a big problem with yet another entity knowing where I am at all times, especially an insurance company.

Tracker does just that...tracks your car when it moves. They also know via a tilt switch if the car is moved without the key I.e. Lifted up onto a truck and stolen.
That triggers an alarm and they call and text you to see if it's a real event or not.
There is no link between Tracker and the insurance company for these 'live' events and knowing where the car actually is at any point in time....data protection applies