Do are vans already have a tracking device fitted?

Corgimajor · May 11, 2023

I've just had a rather frustrating experience with Camping and Caravanning Club, Club Care Insurance providers where they advised they won't provide a quote for a vehicle valued in excess of £75,000 without an approved tracker fitted (I haven't fitted one). My VW California (purchased last October) is currently insured by NFU Mutual and whilst a Thatcham Approved Immobiliser was a pre-condition of insurance, a tracking device wasn't. My van is currently insured with a value of £77,000, the increase in value over replacement value was recommended by NFU Mutual as I have a paint protection film applied to the bodywork and this (understandably) always complicates (and therefore increases the cost!) of insurance claims. My NFU Insurance (at £670 pa) is on the high side to what I've seen others posting for their vans, and while I'm very happy with NFU I'd like to have options and hence my interest in some other quotes, However looking at the overall cost of installation of a tracker and the hefty annual subscription charges, I'm not sure what I'll save on the insurance recovers the cost of a lower premium with an insurer that insists on a tracker.

Anyway this situation got me looking into trackers online and I came across the following for a site (called "Vehicle Tracking Tech") selling Cobra tracking devices and it got me asking myself whether my van already has a factory fitted tracking device anyway?

It was the statement in this advert "and is fitted as standard to Audi, VW, Renault, Nissan, Mitsubishi...." that I'm interested to verify.

So does anyone know if this is the case and VW California campervans are factory fitted with trackers by VW ?

Is this perhaps how VW's "We Connect" App can show me where my van is on the Apps embedded Google Maps page?

I would be interested in peoples views, because if this is the case, then presumably I could legitimately and honestly answer "yes' to an application for an insurance quote that asks if my van is fitted with a tracking device.

Corgimajor · May 11, 2023

Sorry for the school boy spelling error in the title to this post, should have been "Do OUR vans already have a tracking device fitted" . Can't seem to be able to Edit post titles (or anything else for that matter !)

flying banana · May 11, 2023

Just Insure it for 75k then? Or go elsewhere. Try lv or comfort.

Sad · May 11, 2023

Corgimajor said:
Can't seem to be able to Edit post titles (or anything else for that matter !)

Need to be VIP to do that I believe...

We don't have a tracker, but as a Coast bought in 2020 it at least has an insurance value lower than the Ocean. So we've had no issues with insurance and needing a tracker.

ArunAlec · May 11, 2023

Corgimajor said:
I've just had a rather frustrating experience with Camping and Caravanning Club, Club Care Insurance providers where they advised they won't provide a quote for a vehicle valued in excess of £75,000 without an approved tracker fitted (I haven't fitted one). My VW California (purchased last October) is currently insured by NFU Mutual and whilst a Thatcham Approved Immobiliser was a pre-condition of insurance, a tracking device wasn't. My van is currently insured with a value of £77,000, the increase in value over replacement value was recommended by NFU Mutual as I have a paint protection film applied to the bodywork and this (understandably) always complicates (and therefore increases the cost!) of insurance claims. My NFU Insurance (at £670 pa) is on the high side to what I've seen others posting for their vans, and while I'm very happy with NFU I'd like to have options and hence my interest in some other quotes, However looking at the overall cost of installation of a tracker and the hefty annual subscription charges, I'm not sure what I'll save on the insurance recovers the cost of a lower premium with an insurer that insists on a tracker.

Anyway this situation got me looking into trackers online and I came across the following for a site (called "Vehicle Tracking Tech") selling Cobra tracking devices and it got me asking myself whether my van already has a factory fitted tracking device anyway?

View attachment 108300
It was the statement in this advert "and is fitted as standard to Audi, VW, Renault, Nissan, Mitsubishi...." that I'm interested to verify.

So does anyone know if this is the case and VW California campervans are factory fitted with trackers by VW ?

Is this perhaps how VW's "We Connect" App can show me where my van is on the Apps embedded Google Maps page?

I would be interested in peoples views, because if this is the case, then presumably I could legitimately and honestly answer "yes' to an application for an insurance quote that asks if my van is fitted with a tracking device.

I’ve got a Scorpion tracker (Comfort Insurance approved).
The We Connect feature relies on you actively checking the App. So unless you continually check you won’t be aware that your Cali has been nicked. My tracker will “alarm” if the van is moved without the Scorpion key fob. So needs no input from me.

Hawthorn37 · May 11, 2023

Corgimajor said:
I've just had a rather frustrating experience with Camping and Caravanning Club, Club Care Insurance providers where they advised they won't provide a quote for a vehicle valued in excess of £75,000 without an approved tracker fitted (I haven't fitted one). My VW California (purchased last October) is currently insured by NFU Mutual and whilst a Thatcham Approved Immobiliser was a pre-condition of insurance, a tracking device wasn't. My van is currently insured with a value of £77,000, the increase in value over replacement value was recommended by NFU Mutual as I have a paint protection film applied to the bodywork and this (understandably) always complicates (and therefore increases the cost!) of insurance claims. My NFU Insurance (at £670 pa) is on the high side to what I've seen others posting for their vans, and while I'm very happy with NFU I'd like to have options and hence my interest in some other quotes, However looking at the overall cost of installation of a tracker and the hefty annual subscription charges, I'm not sure what I'll save on the insurance recovers the cost of a lower premium with an insurer that insists on a tracker.

Anyway this situation got me looking into trackers online and I came across the following for a site (called "Vehicle Tracking Tech") selling Cobra tracking devices and it got me asking myself whether my van already has a factory fitted tracking device anyway?

View attachment 108300
It was the statement in this advert "and is fitted as standard to Audi, VW, Renault, Nissan, Mitsubishi...." that I'm interested to verify.

So does anyone know if this is the case and VW California campervans are factory fitted with trackers by VW ?

Is this perhaps how VW's "We Connect" App can show me where my van is on the Apps embedded Google Maps page?

I would be interested in peoples views, because if this is the case, then presumably I could legitimately and honestly answer "yes' to an application for an insurance quote that asks if my van is fitted with a tracking device.

You’ll like find that many insurers will insist on a monitored tracker at values over £75k, but also depends on your location etc. The VW tracker won’t be accepted.

Corgimajor · May 11, 2023

Thanks for your responses, all helpful. However my main interest was whether the claim in the pasted advert that the CobraTrak Plus (or any Thatcham approved tracking device) was fitted as standard by VW to its models was accurate - or just so much snake oil marketing ? I figured the latter, but was looking for some further guidance?

Ch1pbutty · May 11, 2023

WelshGas · May 11, 2023

Corgimajor said:
Thanks for your responses, all helpful. However my main interest was whether the claim in the pasted advert that the CobraTrak Plus (or any Thatcham approved tracking device) was fitted as standard by VW to its models was accurate - or just so much snake oil marketing ? I figured the latter, but was looking for some further guidance?

I think you might find that Cobratrak might well be fitted to some VW cars. The advert you quoted referenced " Car" manufacturers, no mention of " Commercial " vehicles.

ArunAlec · May 12, 2023

WelshGas said:
I think you might find that Cobratrak might well be fitted to some VW cars. The advert you quoted referenced " Car" manufacturers, no mention of " Commercial " vehicles.

That was/is the case with Porsche. Fitted and activated from new but once the initial free contract expires you need to subscribe to Vodafone.

Jester · May 12, 2023

ArunAlec said:
I’ve got a Scorpion tracker (Comfort Insurance approved).
The We Connect feature relies on you actively checking the App. So unless you continually check you won’t be aware that your Cali has been nicked. My tracker will “alarm” if the van is moved without the Scorpion key fob. So needs no input from me.

Just question that AA as I get a notification via email and on the app immediately if my VW alarm has been activate.. also I’m under the impression that if the breakdown spanner is pressed they would know your location.
BMW have been doing this since 2013.

ArunAlec · May 12, 2023

Jester said:
Just question that AA as I get a notification via email and on the app immediately if my VW alarm has been activate.. also I’m under the impression that if the breakdown spanner is pressed they would know your location.
BMW have been doing this since 2013.

I stand corrected!
Although I’m pretty sure the We Connect ”tracking” wouldn’t meet the insurance Thatcham requirements.
Agree regarding the spanner & also SOS button.
My Westfalia (T6.1 treated as an import by VW) doesn’t come with factory alarm but has a aftermarket one which I don’t believe is integrated into the vehicle We Connect.

The Tall Luthier · May 12, 2023

We Connect tracks the location of My20 Ocean with a discovery media pro system.

LV.com insure the van also for around £330 , no extra requirements.

That said I didn’t specify any of the terms of the cover other than fully comp.

As far as other trackers are concerned I have hidden an Apple AirTag in the van. That is also very effective.

PS I judged you for spelling ‘our’ as ‘are’

66tim99 · May 12, 2023

I seem to remember finding this feature when I first explored WeConnect, but I can’t now find it. I’m sure I set a ‘fence’ which if the Cali left, I’d receive a text alert?

Hawthorn37 · May 12, 2023

The WeConnect app alert for the car alarm does work (for us). It was well tested while on a ferry last year! It was activated around 10 times - but I guess the crew will be well used to car alarms being activated.

I also had an alarm notification while camping recently. We’d left the electric fan heater on while nipping to the shower block (bad practice, I know). The internal alarm was triggered and the alert told me the alarm has been activated, and the app also shows the location based on the GPS nav system.

The factory fitted ‘tracking function’ was not accepted for insurance purposes whilst getting our first quotes. That said, only two companies demanded a S6 tracker, but In the end we went with Comfort (who didn’t require one), but we fitted a tracker and an immobiliser in any case. It did reduce the premium by about 5%, but on that basis it won’t ‘pay back’ within our expected ownership, it was purely for our own reassurance.

GrahamB · May 12, 2023

The Tall Luthier said:
We Connect tracks the location of My20 Ocean with a discovery media pro system.

LV.com insure the van also for around £330 , no extra requirements.

That said I didn’t specify any of the terms of the cover other than fully comp.

As far as other trackers are concerned I have hidden an Apple AirTag in the van. That is also very effective.

PS I judged you for spelling ‘our’ as ‘are’

@The Tall Luthier - you’re probably aware of this, but Airtags are not really designed for use as trackers. It will tell you where your van in Find My Device, but it will also alert anyone else moving with your van that it is present (if they have an iPhone).

ArunAlec · May 12, 2023

66tim99 said:
I seem to remember finding this feature when I first explored WeConnect, but I can’t now find it. I’m sure I set a ‘fence’ which if the Cali left, I’d receive a text alert?

Hawthorn37 said:
The WeConnect app alert for the car alarm does work (for us). It was well tested while on a ferry last year! It was activated around 10 times - but I guess the crew will be well used to car alarms being activated.

I also had an alarm notification while camping recently. We’d left the electric fan heater on while nipping to the shower block (bad practice, I know). The internal alarm was triggered and the alert told me the alarm has been activated, and the app also shows the location based on the GPS nav system.

The factory fitted ‘tracking function’ was not accepted for insurance purposes whilst getting our first quotes. That said, only two companies demanded a S6 tracker, but In the end we went with Comfort (who didn’t require one), but we fitted a tracker and an immobiliser in any case. It did reduce the premium by about 5%, but on that basis it won’t ‘pay back’ within our expected ownership, it was purely for our own reassurance.

Does your We Connect App have any icon or similar that indicates that it is monitoring the alarm?

Hawthorn37 · May 12, 2023

ArunAlec said:
Does your We Connect App have any icon or similar that indicates that it is monitoring the alarm?

Not as such. I’ll grab some images from my phone. It shows a notification, and when you click through it shows the alarm alert. The image showing the menu including Alerts was taken after I’d clicked through to the alert, yo7 would have seen a red “1” tag.

Hawthorn37 · May 12, 2023

Must admit, I use WeConnect mostly to confirm I’ve remembered to lock it!

ArunAlec · May 12, 2023

Hawthorn37 said:
Not as such. I’ll grab some images from my phone. It shows a notification, and when you click through it shows the alarm alert. The image showing the menu including Alerts was taken after I’d clicked through to the alert, yo7 would have seen a red “1” tag.

View attachment 108356

View attachment 108357

View attachment 108358

Thanks.

The Tall Luthier · May 12, 2023

GrahamB said:
@The Tall Luthier - you’re probably aware of this, but Airtags are not really designed for use as trackers. It will tell you where your van in Find My Device, but it will also alert anyone else moving with your van that it is present (if they have an iPhone).

I understand the limitations. I even modified the tag to paralyse the beeper.

It’s in such a place to make finding it tricky. And for £25 it was a bit of a no brainier.

derek_j_buchanan · May 13, 2023

If I were you I would fit one. Sure-track is a managed service which means they watch you vehicle and depending on the features you subscribe to will ID when it moves, track it with multiple radio techs deploy a human to the ID’d location and having eyeballed the stolen vehicle bring the police in. We fitted to our sailing club engines which were regularly being nicked (every year £20-30k) and with this service caught and got the gang off the streets. Wouldn’t be without one. I think the company was bought out but just look up sure-track. It’s a tracking as a service!

Paddleboarder · May 13, 2023

Corgimajor said:
Thanks for your responses, all helpful. However my main interest was whether the claim in the pasted advert that the CobraTrak Plus (or any Thatcham approved tracking device) was fitted as standard by VW to its models was accurate - or just so much snake oil marketing ? I figured the latter, but was looking for some further guidance?

It’s not a fitted tracker. I checked when I got my ocean in Sept as had same issue as you. I insured through Safeguard.

derek_j_buchanan · May 13, 2023

derek_j_buchanan said:
If I were you I would fit one. Sure-track is a managed service which means they watch you vehicle and depending on the features you subscribe to will ID when it moves, track it with multiple radio techs deploy a human to the ID’d location and having eyeballed the stolen vehicle bring the police in. We fitted to our sailing club engines which were regularly being nicked (every year £20-30k) and with this service caught and got the gang off the streets. Wouldn’t be without one. I think the company was bought out but just look up sure-track. It’s a tracking as a service!

Stolen vehicle recovery service from Radius Telematics

Award-winning stolen asset and protection recovery service with a 95% success rate. Thatcham S7 approved and secured by design.

www.radiustelematics.com

DUB10 · May 13, 2023

Hi.
More and more insurance companies are insisting on stolen vehicle recovery (SVR) trackers.
The standard they are looking for is Thatcham S5 which is a standards certification.
S5 includes:
Driver recognition card or chip built onto key, so the tracker can tell if a cloned key is being used. Not so important to Cali as it does not have keyless go (yet).
Covert hard wire into vehicle.
Integral antenna independent of external antennas.
Cellular and gps tracking (mobile triangulation and satellite signal).
Secure Operation Centre (SOC) monitored which alerts owner and liaises with police to track the vehicle.
Tamper alert.
Integral battery back up so it keeps working when car battery disconnected.

It’s not a world standard or worldwide requirement so it’s not usually put into cars during the production line but the latest tech is combining them with the ecall and OEMs are starting to install this standard into the production line.

There is a category S5+ (plus) which also includes an immobiliser which can cut the engine after it’s been stolen. Limited benefit in this scenario as only the police can instruct the cut off and only when they have line of sight and car is stationary. So even if the police see the vehicle driven into a garage they cannot activate the immobiliser if they cannot see the vehicle.

A very recent factor to consider is the 3G mobile networks are about to be switched of so if you are buying one make sure you have 2G or 4G connectivity as well as GPS.

Hope this helps!

Do are vans already have a tracking device fitted?

Corgimajor

Corgimajor

flying banana

T6 Ocean 204ps manual

Sad

ArunAlec

Hawthorn37

Retired, and working hard at it

Corgimajor

Ch1pbutty

WelshGas

Retired after 42 yrs and enjoying Life.

ArunAlec

Jester

ArunAlec

The Tall Luthier

66tim99

Hawthorn37

Retired, and working hard at it

GrahamB

ArunAlec

Hawthorn37

Retired, and working hard at it

Hawthorn37

Retired, and working hard at it

ArunAlec

The Tall Luthier

derek_j_buchanan

Paddleboarder

derek_j_buchanan

Stolen vehicle recovery service from Radius Telematics

DUB10

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