Thatcham Approved ??

[landybabe]

In the middle of changing insurance companies and have been sent paperwork in order to confirm that if I have an immobiliser, is it a factory fitted Thatcham approved one or an after market one.....
Already told them over the phone that it is factory fitted but I didn't know if it was approved or not, and as they know what car it is, shouldn't they know anyway :-. this can't be the first Discovery they've covered considering they specialise in 4x4's!?
Have since found out that because it's a diesel manual model from 1997 that it's probably not Thatcham approved.
The paperwork says that if this is the case then I need to declare it and theft cover will not be available until a new approved device is fitted  8-[
Bought the Disco in October so I was coming to the end of the policy on my last car which was simply switched over to it, for a rather large charge, but no questions were asked about the immobiliser then...The only reason I switched Insurers was to save money but now it seems i've got more hassle....something I could do without 

Is anybody else with Sureterm? Have you had this problem?
Was told that being a member of a club had no bearing on the quote although they've also sent paperwork requiring details of said membership and refer to it being a factor in their magazine ads  :?

[nellyscossy]

factory immobilisers/alarms are not thatcham approved...if you can get past one you can get past em' all

your insurance company is being unreasonable not offering theft cover because of an immobiliser

i have only ever come across this sort of thing when trying to insure high performance motors

[crazymac]

Thats the very reason I left them!!

They want you to spend a shed load of money to fit an approved one which will only cause problems with your electrics!!

Tell them to bog off and take your business elsewhere.

[90Mike]

Hi Angie Niks got her Insurance with Sureterm but did not seem to have any problems with alarms or immobilisers, this is probably because all vehicles made after 98/99 were fitted with transponders within the keys which probably meet the minimum insurance requirements, Thatcham Approved Immobilisers are easy to fit and get hold of very similar to the one fitted to Andy's Range Rover for approx £50 but you will need to know from your insurance company if require an installation certificate.

[winchman]

I rang Land Rover about the Disco one and they sent me a letter with spec etc on, I sent my insurance a copy, this was ok.
Problem now is the Vit as its a Thatcham cat 2 I think but as I havent got the fitters papaerwork cant use it to reduce the premium?

[landybabe]

Thanks for the replies  :)

Gonna give them a ring after the weekend  8-[

[Saffy]

If you say vehicle is worth £4500 or over then they ask about the immobiliser, Adrian Flux is same.

I fitted mine myself (toad) and had it inspected by local landrover specialist midway through with photo's and description of the install. Headed letter stating that the installation MEETS OR EXCEEDS industry standards of professional immobiliser fitting. That was accepted by insurance company. I did do a proper job mind you with the whole dash board out for what it was worth as a security measure on a diesel! I can dig out the letter for the exact wording  if wanted you just have to get it signed off on headed paper if you go down the self installation route.

In reality its a load of bull, diesel immobilisers should by rights have a coded and armoured fuel cut off valve as well as the normal Thatcham requirements otherwise bypassing them is even more trivial.

[landybabe]

If you say vehicle is worth £4500 or over then they ask about the immobiliser, Adrian Flux is same.

Vehicle value put at £1500... :-.

[hairyasswelder]

Some say it is a must on a group 16 vehicle.  I had the same trouble, they demanded it. Thats why I went elsewhere  ;)
I know cheaper ways of immobilising my car  :-k :-k

Value £1600

[happyisseb]

I am with Sureterm for a second period now and find them quite efficient but fanatical about forms.
Each year they have aquired a much better quote than the last and I doubt they will beat it next year again. I would say impossible but let's see.
With regard to the Thatcham Immobiliser & LandRover/FreeLander, they quote...

"The LandRover/FreeLander Factory fitted Immobilisers are not "Thatcham Approved" but are "Thatcham Accepted"

I am informed means that LandRover will not apply to Thatcham to apply their tests.
The factory fitted dreelander Immobilsers are accepted by all insurances companies on the above and the form needs to simply be ticked & marked as Thatcham Accepted.

I went through the same panic on moving to them but I think it has been worth it.

With regard to an earlier comment about valuation - I think it is form mania and covering their rears nothing to do with valuations at all.
My Freelander although only just pipped 40k miles in 10 years is currently valued at £1,000 according to local dealers.
At £1,000 it is safe for me to drive until eternity and I think thats going to be a long long time.
Sorry it's not for sale.