Insurance providers will generally consider a wide range of factors when calculating your insurance. This can include how secure that car is
Motorists could drastically reduce their insurance costs by making a single alteration to their vehicle. Insurance providers consider a broad spectrum of factors when determining your insurance, including your age, driving experience, the type of car you own, and its security level.
The security status of a car can significantly impact your insurance costs as many companies may levy higher premiums for vehicles that are easier to break into and therefore more likely to be stolen. However, one modification can substantially decrease the likelihood of a thief making off with your car.
How ghost immobilisers can secure your car
The primary function of an immobiliser is to halt a vehicle if someone attempts to steal it. This can either be achieved through mechanical means, such as a clamp or steering wheel lock, or via a system integrated into the electrics.
Electrical immobilisers can safeguard a vehicle from common theft methods such as hotwiring or cloned keys. It generally accomplishes this by disabling certain components in the car, preventing its ability to be driven.
Ghost immobilisers – named because they are effectively invisible – provide an extra layer of security beyond standard manufacturer immobilisers. A distinctive feature of ghost immobilisers is that the driver typically needs to input a sequence of commands before the engine can be started – for instance, the driver may need to press down the clutch twice and push the windscreen wiper stick up once before the engine turns on.
In theory, this makes it more challenging for criminals to steal a vehicle, even if they manage to hotwire it or steal a set of keys to the vehicle as it would be highly unlikely they could guess the security input to start the engine.
Choosing the right ghost immobiliser for your car
Not all ghost immobilisers are created equal, and there’s no guarantee that they will reduce your insurance. However, you can boost your chances of getting a cheaper premium by installing a tracker approved by Thatcham Research.
This organisation assesses a range of vehicle security and safety features and then provides them with an approval rating. Insurers often use this rating to help determine the risk of a vehicle being stolen.
It’s generally advised to choose a ghost immobiliser that is approved by the Tracking and Aftermarket Security System Association (TASSA), as this indicates that the device meets the necessary security standards. Additionally, you should have the device installed by an approved TASSA installer who can ensure that the device is fitted and functioning properly.
Declaring modifications to your insurance provider
If you do fit a ghost immobiliser into your car, it’s essential to declare it to your insurer. This is because any significant modification, even those that enhance the car’s safety, must be declared so that your provider has the most current information about your car.
Failure to do so could result in your insurance being invalidated, which could mean you’re driving without valid insurance. In most instances, you could face a fixed penalty of £300 and six points on your licence for driving without valid insurance.
This could escalate to an unlimited fine or even a driving ban if your case goes to court.
