Vehicle Security Guide

There are four types of vehicle security system available; Alarms, Immobilisers, tracking systems and a simple locking device to your steering wheel/clutch pedal. These types are then further split into insurance-approved and non-approved - insurance approved alarms are known as Thatcham approved.

Quite simply, an Alarm will sound a horn or siren and flash your indicator lights should anyone break into, or attempt to break into, your vehicle. Once triggered the alarm will also immobilise the vehicle's ignition circuits thus preventing the car from being driven away. These days alarms are incredibly innovative with options available that "shout" at potential thieves if they act suspiciously around your vehicle. An Immobiliser automatically disables all the ignition circuits on your vehicle once you remove the ignition key. Only the genuine owner, with a special key fob on their key ring, is able to start the vehicle again. There is now a further type of of immobiliser available that is designed to prevent the loss of your vehicle due to the particularly nasty new crime of "car-jacking". This is where the driver is forcibly removed from his or her car at traffic lights or after parking by a thief that then makes off with it. This device lets the thief drive a few yards, thereby removing the physical threat, before cutting out the engine and sounding the horn or siren. You get your car back and the thief runs away with egg on his face! (click here for details of this product)

Non-approved alarms account for the vast majority of alarms fitted to cars today - even most factory fitted alarms. Do not confuse non-approved with sub-standard, illegal or worthless! Non-approved simply means that the alarm is not of a particular ISO standard which insurance companies insist on for high-value cars or high-risk areas. We supply and install both approved and non-approved alarms.

There are a few simple measures you can take to avoid being the victim of crime. Click the button to find out more....

Not sure what alarm you need? Try clicking on the smart alarm selector button to help you decide!

Choosing an alarm that's right for you can be difficult. Clicking our smart alarm selector button may help

Everyone has heard of insurance-approved (Thatcham) alarms but for some people these alarms are not absolutely necessary, although, of course, they do offer a higher degree of protection.

Check out their web site by clicking here.

Find out if your car is already listed - you may not even need an extra immobiliser - click here

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Installation Notes:

1. Sometimes it is necessary to disconnect the vehicle battery or to isolate various electrical circuits during an installation. This can result in the activation of radio anti-theft codes where fitted as well as the erasing of any pre-programmed stations and settings. We advise strongly that radio codes are available before installation commences.
2. A few modern vehicles have warning light sytems, such as ABS and airbag lights that are computer controlled. While it is a rare occurance, it is possible for these lights to be triggered during installation during disconnection of a power source for safety reasons. In order to extinguish these warning lights and to reset the circuit, it is necessary for the vehicle to be connected to a computer at your vehicle dealer's. This is a job taking only a few minutes, but cannot be done by ourselves as only the dealer will have access to this specialised equipment.