Alternatives to ScorpionTrack: Thatcham Trackers Compared

Owner considering a Thatcham S5 tracker beside her car

ScorpionTrack, the brand behind scorpionauto.com, is one of the best-known names in UK vehicle security. It is not the only Thatcham-approved choice. Insurers accept devices from several makers, and the right one depends on the category your policy asks for, the vehicle, the installation route and the total cost over the years you will keep the car. This guide compares the main options and sets out how to check any tracker before you buy.

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Thatcham Trackers offers insurance-approved S7 and S5 trackers for car and motorhome owners checking alternatives to ScorpionTrack.
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TL;DR

  • Insurers ask for a category (S7, S5 or S5+), not a brand. Any device listed by Thatcham Research in the right category can satisfy the requirement.
  • ScorpionTrack is a long-established option with a Trustpilot TrustScore of 4.5 out of 5. Other approved makers include Vodafone Automotive, Tracker, Meta Trak and SmarTrack.
  • Thatcham Trackers sells S7 at 169 GBP, S5 at 349 GBP and S5 Plus at 449 GBP as one-off device prices, with nationwide mobile installation and an immediate digital certificate.
  • Compare on category, installation, monitoring, certificate handling and total cost, not on the logo.
  • Confirm the exact model with your insurer before ordering. A tracker in the wrong category may not earn the discount or meet the policy condition.

Table of Contents

What insurers actually require

A Thatcham tracker is a device assessed by Thatcham Research against criteria set by the insurance industry. The assessment results are published in the Thatcham vehicle security national listing, which states that the systems in it were evaluated as directed by the insurance industry’s steering group. That listing, not a retailer’s description, is the reference point for whether a product is approved.

Three categories matter to most owners:

  • S7: a tracking system that detects unauthorised use and reports the vehicle’s location. It is the usual entry level for higher-value cars and motorhomes.
  • S5: a higher tier that adds a monitored response and stronger tamper protection, and is often demanded for the most targeted vehicles.
  • S5+: S5 with immobilisation added.

Insurers set the minimum category in the policy terms. If your policy names S5, an S7 device does not meet it, however good the hardware is.

Why owners look beyond ScorpionTrack

ScorpionTrack is British-designed and widely fitted, and many owners are happy with it. Searches for alternatives usually come from a short list of practical reasons:

  1. Price. The device price, the fitting charge and any ongoing monitoring fee all add to the cost. Owners compare totals, not just the headline.
  2. Subscription structure. Some makers sell monthly, multi-year and lifetime plans. Owners who plan to sell a vehicle within a few years weigh these differently from those keeping it for ten.
  3. Installation. Mobile fitting at home or work suits some people, while others need a fitter near a specific location, such as a motorhome storage site.
  4. Vehicle fit. Electric vehicles, hybrids and certain premium models have specific compatibility needs.
  5. Certificate speed. Insurers want proof of fitting. How quickly the certificate arrives affects when cover or the discount applies.

The main alternatives compared

The table compares the brands UK owners most often weigh. It describes what each is known for in general terms, without prices, because prices, plans and models change. Check each provider’s current page and the Thatcham listing before you decide.

Option Typical categories Worth considering when Check before ordering
ScorpionTrack S7, S5 and immobilisers You want a well-known British brand with a broad range Total cost including your chosen subscription plan
Vodafone Automotive S7 and higher You want a large telematics operator behind the device Installer availability and fitting charge
Tracker S7 and S5 You value a long recovery history with police links Subscription length and renewal terms
Meta Trak S7, including motorcycle units You ride or own a bike as well as a car Model match for your vehicle type
SmarTrack S7 and S5 You want a mid-range S7 with multi-network connectivity Warranty and monitoring terms
Thatcham Trackers S7, S5, S5+ and Casper immobilisers You want published one-off device prices, mobile fitting and a digital certificate Category your insurer names

None of these is right for every vehicle. The deciding factor is nearly always the category in your policy wording, followed by the total you will pay over the period you keep the tracker.

Thatcham Trackers: what we sell and what it costs

Thatcham Trackers supplies certified S7, S5 and S5+ units, plus immobilisers, with installation by mobile engineers across the UK. Published device prices:

Product Price What it is for
Thatcham S7 169 GBP one-off Insurer-approved tracking for cars and motorhomes where S7 is the requirement
Thatcham S5 349 GBP one-off Vehicles where the insurer asks for S5
Thatcham S5 Plus 449 GBP one-off S5 with immobilisation
Casper Ghost-Like Immobiliser 399.00 GBP one-off Hidden immobilisation that works alongside a tracker
Casper Pro: No Tag, No Start 499.00 GBP one-off Tag-based immobiliser for invisible protection

Every tracker and immobiliser we sell is Thatcham-certified, and each order comes with a digital certificate for your insurer. Features across the range include tamper alerts, automatic immobilisation on the S5+ and compatibility with 24/7 monitoring. Our fitting network is nationwide and mobile, so an engineer can come to you.

If you are unsure which category applies, the Choose the Right Thatcham Tracker page walks through the decision.

How to compare any two trackers

Use the same checklist for every provider, ScorpionTrack and ourselves included.

  1. Read your policy or schedule. Find the exact wording: “Thatcham S7”, “Thatcham S5” or similar. Ring your insurer if the wording is vague.
  2. Find the product in the Thatcham listing. If you cannot find the model or its category, ask the seller for the approval reference.
  3. Add up the full cost. Device, fitting, monitoring or subscription, any renewal and any charge to transfer or remove the unit. Compare the same period for each option, such as three years.
  4. Ask about the certificate. It should be issued in a form your insurer accepts and sent promptly after fitting.
  5. Check installation logistics. Mobile fitting at your address, or a booked slot at a depot? Can the fitter reach a vehicle in storage?
  6. Confirm vehicle compatibility. Electric vehicles and hybrids need the right variant, such as the Thatcham S5 Plus for EVs and hybrids.
  7. Read recent reviews. Look at how a provider handles problems after the sale, not just the star rating.

Motorhomes: why the category matters more

Motorhome insurance ties the security requirement to value. According to Caravan Guard’s motorhome security guidance (January 2026), motorhomes under £50,000 typically need only a standard immobiliser. Those between £75,000 and £100,000 generally need at least a Category S7 tracker, and above £100,000 insurers often ask for an S5 or S7 tracker plus further measures such as a reversing camera. The same document lists security system discounts of up to 25% for approved alarms and trackers, subject to underwriter criteria.

The thresholds differ between insurers, so treat those figures as one insurer’s example. Comfort Insurance’s motorhome security guide makes the same broad point: fitting a tracker is often not enough if it is not the specific category the underwriter asks for at your vehicle’s value.

There is a second trap. Declaring a security device that is later switched off or inactive can lead to a claim being refused, as the Caravan Guard guidance notes. For a vehicle left in storage for months, the monitoring and power arrangements matter as much as the brand. Our guides to motorhome storage security and motorhome GPS tracker monitoring options cover both. For stored vehicles without a constant power feed, the Thatcham S7 battery tracker is the relevant model.

Motorhomes: why the category matters more — overview diagram

Our perspective

We sell Thatcham-certified devices, so we see the same pattern in most enquiries: the buyer has a policy condition and a deadline, and the brand matters less than the paperwork. The most common problems are not hardware faults. They are a tracker in the wrong category, a certificate the insurer will not accept, or a device fitted but not activated.

For that reason we recommend choosing in this order: category first, certificate second, price third, brand last. Our range is built around that order. Every unit is Thatcham-certified, the digital certificate is issued with the order, and fitting is nationwide and mobile. ScorpionTrack and the other makers listed above are legitimate options. If one of them is the model your insurer names, buy that one. If your insurer names only a category, compare total cost and installation convenience and choose on those terms.

One point on immobilisation. A tracker tells you where a stolen vehicle is. An immobiliser makes the theft harder in the first place. For high-risk vehicles, the two together, either as an S5+ or an S7 with a Casper unit, address both parts of the problem.

— Thatcham Trackers

Choosing between S7, S5 and S5+

Choose S7 when your insurer names S7, or when you want a lower-cost tracker for a vehicle of moderate value and the policy gives a discount for it. At 169 GBP, our S7 is the entry point. The S7 product page lists the specification.

Choose S5 when the policy requires it, which is common for high-value or frequently targeted cars. At 349 GBP, the S5 is a 4G GPS tracker built for that tier.

Choose S5+ when you want the monitored tracking of S5 together with immobilisation in one device. The S5 Plus costs 449 GBP.

S7, S5 and S5 Plus prices and features

Add an immobiliser when your vehicle is among those thieves target with relay or CAN bus attacks, and you want protection that does not rely on a tag you can see or a device a thief can easily find. The Casper range is designed for this.

Using tracker data lawfully

A tracker records location, ignition status and movement, and that data can help after a theft. The College of Policing notes in its telematics briefing that police need proper legal authorisation to use location data in criminal investigations, and that an owner voluntarily sharing tracker data after a suspected theft works as intelligence to inform the police response. If your vehicle is stolen, report it to the police first and share the tracking information with them. Do not attempt a recovery yourself.

Order a Thatcham-approved tracker

If you already know the category your insurer needs, you can order directly: Thatcham S7, S5 or S5 Plus. Each comes with a digital certificate and a mobile fitting service across the UK. For help with the choice, start at thatchamtrackers.com.

FAQ

What is the best alternative to ScorpionTrack?

The best alternative is whichever Thatcham-approved device meets the category on your policy at the lowest sensible total cost. Vodafone Automotive, Tracker, Meta Trak, SmarTrack and Thatcham Trackers all supply approved units. Compare the full cost, the certificate process and the installation options.

Do I need a specific brand for my insurer?

Usually not. Most insurers name a Thatcham category such as S7 or S5 rather than a brand. Some policies do list accepted makers, so check the schedule or ask your insurer before ordering.

How much does a Thatcham tracker cost from Thatcham Trackers?

Our S7 is 169 GBP, the S5 is 349 GBP and the S5 Plus is 449 GBP, all as one-off device prices. Casper immobilisers are 399.00 GBP and 499.00 GBP. Check the product page for what is included with your order.

Can a tracker lower my insurance premium?

It can. One UK motorhome insurer lists security system discounts of up to 25% for approved alarms and trackers, subject to underwriter criteria. The saving varies by insurer, vehicle and policy, so ask for a quote with and without the device.

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