Not every car security upgrade affects your insurance premium, but some do — and knowing the difference can save you money as well as protect your car. Insurers price risk partly on how likely a vehicle is to be stolen or broken into, so upgrades recognised by the insurance industry’s own security standards can genuinely move the needle on your quote.
How insurers assess vehicle security
Most UK insurers lean on independent testing from bodies like Thatcham Research, which rates both the factory security of new vehicles and aftermarket security devices such as trackers and alarms. A device with recognised Thatcham categorisation is far more likely to be reflected in your premium than an uncertified own-brand alternative, simply because the insurer can verify its standard.
Upgrades that can influence your premium
- Thatcham-approved trackers – particularly relevant for vehicles on an insurer’s high-theft-risk list
- Ghost immobilisers – a modern, code-based immobiliser that adds a layer of protection against relay and signal-relay theft methods that can bypass a factory keyless system
- Approved alarm systems fitted to a recognised standard, rather than a basic aftermarket alarm
- Secure, off-street parking – not a device, but consistently one of the biggest factors in an insurer’s risk calculation
- Steering wheel locks – a visible, low-cost deterrent that some insurers acknowledge, particularly for older vehicles without advanced factory immobilisers
What usually doesn’t move the needle
Cosmetic security stickers, uncertified budget alarms, and devices without any recognised testing standard rarely influence a quote, because the insurer has no independent way to verify their effectiveness. If you’re upgrading specifically to reduce your premium, always check with your insurer before you buy — ask what they recognise, rather than assuming any security product will qualify.
Steering wheel lock or ghost immobiliser?
These two are often compared, but they work differently and suit different budgets and vehicles. Our full comparison, steering wheel locks vs ghost immobilisers, breaks down which is right for your situation.
Frequently asked questions
Will fitting a tracker automatically lower my insurance?
Not automatically. It depends on your insurer, your vehicle, and whether the tracker meets a recognised standard. Always confirm with your insurer before fitting one specifically for a premium discount.
Do insurers ask which security devices are fitted?
Most insurance applications ask about factory-fitted and aftermarket security devices. Answering accurately matters — misrepresenting your car’s security could affect a future claim.
Is a ghost immobiliser worth it if my car already has keyless entry?
Many drivers fit one for exactly this reason. Factory keyless systems on some models have been targeted by relay theft techniques, and a ghost immobiliser adds a separate, hidden code requirement that isn’t reliant on the key’s wireless signal.
AutoWagon fits Thatcham-recognised trackers and ghost immobilisers across Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. Call 07395328717 or see all the areas we cover to book a fitting.