Trackers - alternative view

[Paul1970]

With my new car imminent I was talking to someone about trackers. I always thought it seemed like a necessary evil but this someone suggested to me that I shouldn’t get one and rather spend the money on Return To Invoice GAP insurance on the basis that if the car was stolen I’d rather get a new one than the old one back (ignoring the fact that could take a year!)

I’d never thought of it in this way before. Other than the obvious effect on the insurance record, I’m interested to read other views on this given I need to make a decision tomorrow.

Cheers.

[On-Track]

Given the value of a Cayenne GTS, you might struggle to get it insured without a tracker. Activating the inbuilt Porsche Connect system will "only" cost around £280 for one year with a saving if a two year subscription is taken out.

[Nuclear Nick]

I, like others on here, didn’t activate them on the basis that they are a fag to carry around or to remember to take with you every time you move the car. Added to that quite a few users reported the service as being unreliable.

A number of us insured with NFU which included two years GAP, unfortunately they have radically reset their risk policy and have priced themselves out of the market in this sector. I believe other insurers have something similar though. Others no doubt will advise.

[pmg]

With my new car imminent I was talking to someone about trackers. I always thought it seemed like a necessary evil but this someone suggested to me that I shouldn’t get one and rather spend the money on Return To Invoice GAP insurance on the basis that if the car was stolen I’d rather get a new one than the old one back (ignoring the fact that could take a year!)

I’d never thought of it in this way before. Other than the obvious effect on the insurance record, I’m interested to read other views on this given I need to make a decision tomorrow.

Cheers.

An OPC pushing a product they get commission on if they sell it i.e. GAP whereas they get no income from someone taking up the Vodapone tracker. Mind you you could always accept the logic of the argument and buy GAP from one of the far cheaper direct providers. However, their comment seems to ignore how long it takes to get a new Porsche at present.

[MikeM]

You don’t see to many Cayenne GTS specs about, it’s high value. Personally would have both, although with GAP if paying suggest ALA, or get the OPC to provide FOC. Got it with my Macan GTS.

[Miopyk]

I've not activated the Vodafone system on any of the Porsches I've bought since it appeared in my first Macan in 2014. Unreliable, inconvenient system backed up by unhelpful support combined with insurance companies no longer requiring it to secure cover makes it unnecessary.

I have been looking at the Ghost system which seems far simpler, much more convenient and on the face of it fairly secure.

https://autowatch.co.uk/veh-sec/ghost-2-menu

[Bazza06]

I've given my view a few times on trackers, in fact, I wrote a thread on vehicle security a few years ago.
As a business user of a very competent and successful tracker installer, monitoring and recovery company, I am still anti-tracker for my own vehicle.

Many large fleet owning companies do not insure their vehicles, it is too expensive, and the costs often outweigh the loss.
However, they may choose to install trackers, as any recovery will reduce the bottom line.

When a vehicle is stolen, and particular prestige vehicles, thieves will expect the vehicle to have a tracker, so they may do one or two things.

1) They could park the vehicle in a residential road and return to it a few days later.
If it's still there, they will assume no tracker is installed and remove the vehicle for whatever purpose they have for it.

2) Alternatively, they will take the vehicle to a unit / container / underground location where there is no mobile signal or premises equipped with GPS jamming devices.
They will then strip the vehicle down, either because they intend to sell the parts or to locate the tracker.

The above assumes the vehicle itself is the sole interest of the thief, as prestige / high-powered vehicles are also stolen as a tool to facilitate other crimes.
The thief has no interest in the car other than its ability to help evade arrest if pursued by police.

I'm sure you can imagine the outcome of most of these vehicles, and that is why I would not want it back.

[Deleted User 4325]

I've not activated the Vodafone system on any of the Porsches I've bought since it appeared in my first Macan in 2014. Unreliable, inconvenient system backed up by unhelpful support combined with insurance companies no longer requiring it to secure cover makes it unnecessary.

I have been looking at the Ghost system which seems far simpler, much more convenient and on the face of it fairly secure.

https://autowatch.co.uk/veh-sec/ghost-2-menu

Interesting read, but I'd be concerned about

1. It going tits up as Teslas did this week and not being able to start the car and

2. The tec vermin use seems to catch up with the security tech within 'minutes'.

Might be cheaper to buy a bright yellow Disc-lock and then at least have the visible deterrence.

TBH I wouldn't want a stolen car back under any circumstances.

Just my thoughts.

[Bluesnose1812]

Given that the market value of any Porsche < 12mths old is more than its list price, is GAP insurance necessary since most insurers will operate a new for old up to that age?

[Bazza06]

I've not activated the Vodafone system on any of the Porsches I've bought since it appeared in my first Macan in 2014. Unreliable, inconvenient system backed up by unhelpful support combined with insurance companies no longer requiring it to secure cover makes it unnecessary.

I have been looking at the Ghost system which seems far simpler, much more convenient and on the face of it fairly secure.

https://autowatch.co.uk/veh-sec/ghost-2-menu

Interesting read, but I'd be concerned about

1. It going tits up as Teslas did this week and not being able to start the car and

2. The tec vermin use seems to catch up with the security tech within 'minutes'.

Might be cheaper to buy a bright yellow Disc-lock and then at least have the visible deterrence.

TBH I wouldn't want a stolen car back under any circumstances.

Just my thoughts.

DiskLok is an excellent preventative measure.

As quick as manufacturers update vehicle software to counter Relay Attack devices, so the thieves adapt and reprogram.
When they see a Disklok they inevitably move on.

However, it really depends on the demand the thief has for the respective vehicle.
If it ticks all the boxes for the intended purpose, they will go a step further, which may include burglary / physical attack.