Car Insurance Trackers FAQs — Everything You Need to Know

Thatcham approval, insurance discounts, and how immobilisers affect your premiums.

Thatcham · S5/S7 · Insurance-approved · From £79

Many drivers ask whether fitting a tracker or immobiliser will reduce their car insurance premiums. The answer depends on the device’s approval status, your insurer’s policies, and the value of your vehicle. This FAQ guide explains Thatcham approval, S5/S7 categories, and how LockCar security devices affect insurance — including which insurers offer premium discounts for approved immobilisers.

What is Thatcham approval?

Thatcham Research is the UK’s automotive security testing authority. Devices with Thatcham approval have passed rigorous testing for effectiveness and resilience. For trackers, Thatcham categories include S5 (requires automatic driver recognition, e.g., a tag that must be present for the vehicle to move) and S7 (basic tracking without driver recognition). Insurers often require Thatcham-approved devices for high-value vehicles (e.g., £50,000+) or as a condition of coverage. LockCar devices are engineered to Thatcham-equivalent standards, and we work with insurers to confirm acceptance.

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Not all trackers are Thatcham-approved. Cheap OBD plug-in trackers typically do not meet Thatcham standards and will not qualify for insurance discounts. Always check approval status before purchasing.

Do trackers reduce insurance premiums?

For most standard vehicles (worth under £30,000), fitting a tracker alone does not significantly reduce premiums — insurers assume a baseline level of security. For high-value vehicles, luxury cars, or vehicles with poor factory security, a Thatcham-approved tracker can reduce premiums by 10-20%. Some specialist insurers (e.g., for imported or modified cars) require a tracker as a condition of coverage. LockCar One Plus, with its 4G GPS tracking and immobiliser, is accepted by many UK insurers as an approved security device.

10-20%Potential premium reduction with approved tracker

S5/S7Thatcham approval categories for trackers

£79From for LockCar i226 immobiliser

LockCar security devices — insurance impact

Insurance choice

LockCar One Plus — £259

4G tracker + immobiliser + dashcam

Combined tracking and immobilisation. Meets requirements for most insurers’ approved device lists. Professional installation certification provided.

LockCar IS357 — £149

App + tag immobiliser

For drivers who want an immobiliser without a tracker. Many insurers offer premium reductions for professionally fitted immobilisers on high-risk vehicles.

Will my insurer accept LockCar devices?

Most major UK insurers (Admiral, Aviva, Direct Line, LV=) accept professionally fitted immobilisers and trackers. We provide installation certification for your insurer. Check with your insurer before purchase — we can advise on which LockCar device meets their requirements.

What’s the difference between S5 and S7 trackers?

S5 trackers include Automatic Driver Recognition (ADR) — a tag or phone must be present for the vehicle to move without triggering an alert. S7 trackers do not have ADR. S5 is generally required for the highest insurance discounts.

Do I need to tell my insurer about my immobiliser?

Yes. Failing to declare a security device can invalidate your policy if you make a claim. Always inform your insurer of any modifications, including aftermarket immobilisers and trackers.

Can a dashcam reduce my insurance?

Some insurers offer small discounts (5-10%) for dashcams, particularly for fleet policies. LockCar One and One Plus include dashcams, providing both security and potential insurance benefits.

Insurance-approved security — UK wide