Car Insurance - Thatcham Device

[darrsi]

I was attempting to sort out my mum's car insurance last night and was offered a very good price, but then got to the point when it showed the page below saying that a Thatcham Device needed to be fitted before proceeding, which i thought was a bit harsh because it didn't really explain too well what it all entailed.


I'm guessing it's not the Black Box device which is a definite no no, but does anyone know anything about these at all?


Do they charge extra to install or remove, are there limitations like the Black Box, and generally what is it all about?


I've held back on getting any insurance for the moment as it's not due until next month, so any decent info would be appreciated, bearing in mind i don't drive a car so in layman's terms please.

[Dudeofrude]

A thatcham device is just a thatham approved security measure eg an immobiliser, an alarm etc in the old days they used to make the steering wheel locks too
It's no different to the sold secure badge you can get on motorbike chains.
Most modern cars immobiliser system are thatcham approved as they are least level 2 but you'll have to check with the manufacturer to make sure
If the car is old and really doesnt have any kind of security then you buy thatcham approve alarms..... or they may even sell the steering wheel locks still Haha

[darrsi]

It's just an old 2005 runabout car.
But in that picture it says it needs to be "fitted and armed", if it doesn't have anything then what?

[Dudeofrude]

Are you sure it doesn't already have a factory fitted immobiliser?

[BBROWN1664]

Don't worry, it has one as standard
https://thatchamfitters.co.uk/car/cars-with-factory-fitted-thatcham-security/vauxhall.htm

[darrsi]

Don't worry, it has one as standard
https://thatchamfitters.co.uk/car/cars-with-factory-fitted-thatcham-security/vauxhall.htm

Marvellous, thanks for that.
Would there be anywhere where it’s written down to confirm that for sure, like the Logbook, etc?

[Frosties]

Check the handbook if you have it. It should explain when/how the immobiliser works.

In fact here's the link to the handbook page

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/462008/Vauxhall-Agila.html?page=34#manual

[darrsi]

Thank you for all your help, but after a bit more delving it turns out this particular company “GENERAL ACCIDENT” had the lowest ratings i’ve ever seen before, apart from ones that are normally on tv’s Watchdog. 


Certainly a company to avoid, just Google ‘General Accident Reviews’ and see for yourself.

[Trebus]

They are part of Aviva group. Not saying good or bad, been insured through them before but not claimed.

[darrsi]

They are part of Aviva group. Not saying good or bad, been insured through them before but not claimed.

I simply couldn't chance it after reading these, as you can probably well understand.


My favourite line so far is "...Apparently our sofa travels at 175 mph..."


https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/generalaccident.com

[darrsi]

I eventually ended up phoning Tesco Bank which is who she was was insured with last year.


Their renewal through the post was £438
Online their rate was £425
On the phone i got them down to £409, i had to ring as mum had a new debit card so they didn't have the correct payment details.


Bearing in mind two years ago the lowest i could find anywhere was £693 so really i was on to a winner whichever one i went for in comparison.

[b1k3rdude]

As motorists and society in general we should not accept or be hoodwinked into installing any kind of monitoring devices under the guise of saving a few ££ (or what ever fucking reason they come up with). You know the info on that database that holds this information with be sold for profit with out your consent or equally it will be hacked and the data sold on the black market.

Insurance is mandatory, bending over and handing them your wallet is not.

[darrsi]

As motorists and society in general we should not accept or be hoodwinked into installing any kind of monitoring devices under the guise of saving a few ££ (or what ever fucking reason they come up with). You know the info on that database that holds this information with be sold for profit with out your consent or equally it will be hacked and the data sold on the black market.

Insurance is mandatory, bending over and handing them your wallet is not.

Totally agree, i think we all understand now that vehicle insurance is a law unto itself, or in other words blatant daylight robbery.