Security System Ratings

Although most modern cars come pre-equipped with some form of security device, one of the best ways to reduce your car insurance premiums and protect your car is to fit an enhanced system.

However, some security systems are more worthwhile than others, and so to enable insurance companies to compare the various products available directly, the automotive research centre based at Thatcham in Berkshire tests and rates them. The rating given to each product is called its Thatcham category, with the most secure products rated as category 1, and the least secure (but still worthwhile) carrying a category 3 rating.

The key requirements for each category are as follows:

Category 1

A professionally fitted immobiliser and alarm that integrates into the vehicle's electrical system to control central locking and electric windows. A category 1 system must have:

• a back-up battery
• an ultra-secure immobiliser
• protection for the doors, bonnet and any other means of entry into the car

Category 2

A category 2 immobiliser must incorporate technology that will not permit a car to be started without some form of unique code. This may be operated by the door key, be entered from a key pad or it may require a transponder to be used.

Category 2:1

This category encompasses all security products that have been added to the vehicle to integrate with an existing category 2 immobiliser to it take up to category 1 level. Such systems would be expected to integrate into the vehicle's electrical system and offer all the key aspects of a category 1 system.

Category 3

Category 3 systems relate to mechanical items that physically protect your car; these include steering wheel locks and wheel clamps. However, as it is usually impossible to tell if one of these items was fitted in the event of a theft, many insurance companies may not offer a discount for their use.

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