Short answer: a Thatcham-approved tracker may reduce your car insurance premium, but a saving is never guaranteed. For some high-value or frequently stolen vehicles, the tracker is primarily a condition of cover rather than a discount. Always ask your insurer which exact category and device it accepts before ordering.
Key takeaways
- A tracker can make a vehicle easier to recover and may reduce an insurer's theft risk.
- Your policy may require S7, S5 or S5 Plus; fitting a lower category may not satisfy the condition.
- Any discount depends on the insurer, vehicle, postcode, driver and policy.
- The fitted device, active monitoring and installation certificate may all need to remain valid.
When does a tracker affect insurance?
Insurers assess the chance and likely cost of a claim. A professionally fitted, monitored tracker can help recovery teams locate a stolen vehicle, which may reduce the risk of a total-loss payout. That can influence a quotation, but insurers use different rating models.
There are two common situations. First, an insurer may make a tracker mandatory before theft cover starts. In that case, fitting the tracker enables cover but does not necessarily reduce the quoted price. Second, a tracker may be optional and the insurer may offer a lower premium or excess after it is installed.
S7, S5 and S5 Plus
| Category | Main protection | Typical reason to choose it |
|---|---|---|
| S7 | Monitored vehicle location and recovery | Your policy specifically requests S7 |
| S5 | S7 functions plus automatic driver recognition | Your policy requests S5 or driver identification |
| S5 Plus | S5 tracking with immobilisation capability | Your policy asks for S5 plus additional start protection |
Match the wording on your insurance schedule. If it names a particular model, installation standard or monitoring requirement, confirm that exact detail before purchase.
How to check whether you will save money
- Ask your insurer for a quotation with and without the required tracker.
- Confirm the accepted category and whether a specific device is named.
- Check whether professional installation and a certificate are required.
- Include the device, fitting and monitoring cost when comparing the total annual cost.
- Keep monitoring active and retain the certificate for policy records.
What does a fitted tracker cost?
At Thatcham Trackers, current headline prices start from £169 for S7, £349 for S5 and £449 for S5 Plus, with monitoring from £10.99 per month. Prices and fitting availability can change, so check the relevant product page before ordering.
Does every insurer give a discount?
No. Some insurers offer no direct discount, some require a tracker simply to provide theft cover, and others may adjust the premium or excess. Motorhome policies sometimes advertise tracker-specific discounts, but these are insurer-specific offers rather than a typical saving for every driver.
The safest next step
Read the security condition on your schedule and ask your insurer to confirm it in writing. Then choose the exact accepted category. Compare fitted S7, S5 and S5 Plus trackers, or call 01924 976922 if you want help interpreting the requirement.