If you’re currently browsing for a tracking system for your car, you’ve likely seen the words “Thatcham Approved” a lot- but who are Thatcham, and what do they do?
Who Are Thatcham?
Thatcham Research are an insurance-funded research centre, who lead the way in standards of vehicle safety, security and repair. Their research has a big influence on vehicle trackers and car insurance prices.
They have a state of the art workshop, including a crash laboratory, and an automotive academy to equip apprentices and technicians with the latest skills in vehicle repair.
Thatcham’s History
Thatcham was founded in 1969 by the motor vehicle insurance industry with the intention to contain or reduce insurance prices. They did this through research into vehicle safety and repair, because if they could lower the impact of crashes and repair costs, they could lower insurance prices.
Over time their focus has grown to include security. In 1992, they created the New Vehicle Security Assessment to address the growing number of car thefts, which totaled 620,000 that year.
Thatcham’s Role in Car Insurance
One of Thatcham’s primary roles is the administration of the Association of British Insurer’s Group Rating System. This means they provide insurers with information about new vehicles, including the impact of a standard 15km/h crash, and the expected cost of parts and time to repair it. This will then influence the vehicle’s insurance group and ultimately how much you pay for your car insurance.
That isn’t the only way Thatcham affects car insurance though, as car owners can purchase additional security products in an attempt to lower insurance premiums. Thatcham then approves and categorises these security products, which will influence whether insurers see them as good enough protection to justify lowering your car insurance premium.
One way that drivers tend to lower their car insurance is by purchasing a car tracker.
Thatcham Approved Car Trackers
Thatcham don’t actually manufacture any car trackers, but test them to see whether they meet the required standards and assign them to the appropriate category. Thatcham have developed three main categories for trackers:
S7 Thatcham Approved Trackers
- GPS tracking- the location of the car is able to be tracked.
- Motion sensing- the tracker will alert to movement even if the ignition is not started, to prevent thieves from towing or rolling cars.
- Control room monitoring 24 hours a day- a remote control room will be alerted to the movement and contact the authorities.
- Health check programme.
S5 Thatcham Approved Trackers
- All of the above features, plus:
- Automatic Driver Recognition (ADR)- drivers will be provided with ID fobs and if the car is started or moved without a fob present, an alert will be raised in the control room.
- Data logging- this makes this type of tracker great for fleet management.
S5 Plus Thatcham Approved Trackers
The best type of tracker you can buy. If you’re looking to have the highest security for your car, then an S5 Plus Tracker is the one for you.
- All of the above features, plus:
- Remote police authorised immobilisation- local police can authorise the control room to temporarily immobilise the vehicle to prevent the thief from taking it any further.
- This is why it’s so important to make sure your car tracker is Thatcham approved. They are the height of vehicle security and are respected throughout the motor vehicle industry.
Here at TrackerFit, all of our car trackers are Thatcham approved! Find the perfect tracker for you by clicking the button below.