Insurance and Alarms

[toopy]

Im in the process of getting some quotes and something i just hadnt thought about was "is the car alarmed" its never phased me before, but got me thinking.
You never see alarms in engine bay pictures, so just curious as to what people do, if no alarm, then immobiliser?
obviously most people have some form of security, me included, hidden fuel/power cut offs etc but for insurance purposes its hardly Cat2 Thatcham territory.

Anyhow as far as my insurance is concerned it may be a mute point, as i was quoted £132 Comprehensive, with full breakdown cover and agreed value of £10,000, with a club valuation at a later date.

But, for security reasons and personal piece of mind, the question remains about alarms!

 

[richiep]

IMO, you need to have a think about that agreed value. Ask yourself could you really replace it like for like for 10K?

I almost doubled my agreed value recently - pushed my premium up by £25, but worth it for piece of mind. The thought of trying to replace it comparably with the previous valuation had started to make my blood run cold.

My car did actually have an alarm fitted, unconnected, when I first had it. I binned it 10 years ago during the rebuild though. I have methods of sabotage to make a theft more difficult. Ultimately these days though, motivated thieves will get what they want regardless. See that Mk1 Escort ram-raid theft for an example!

 

[AliK]

I'm with Richie on all those points!

My new security measure in addition to the usual "sabotage" is this ....

More piece of mind when away or car not in use + it's coming to Japfest for overnight parking!! Paranoid? Maybe a little!

But if they want your car they'll find a way!

 

[toopy]

IMO, you need to have a think about that agreed value. Ask yourself could you really replace it like for like for 10K?

I almost doubled my agreed value recently - pushed my premium up by £25, but worth it for piece of mind. The thought of trying to replace it comparably with the previous valuation had started to make my blood run cold.

Agreed, the £10K is a temporary ball park figure for quote purposes, until i get some decent recent pics and all the restoration info to Moggy240 for a proper value.
But i cant do that until its back home, and to do that it needs insurance.
The cars still at Fourways for now, rolling road tune, new lowered springs and shocks, indicator electrical issue and an MOT!

 

[toopy]

I'm with Richie on all those points!

My new security measure in addition to the usual "sabotage" is this ....

More piece of mind when away or car not in use + it's coming to Japfest for overnight parking!! Paranoid? Maybe a little!

But if they want your car they'll find a way!

I like, looks like a decent bit of kit, how much and from where?

 

[AliK]

'Tis a solid bit of kit - I warn you, she's heavy but on the upside comes with a carrier bag and will replace my spare wheel when travelling. The box said 17Kg but I would say it's closer to 10Kg!

£129 from here ...

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=331544555903

 

[iangreenfield]

I have alarms in both my 300zx the alarm box / horn is hidden under the wing in both cases.
Keeps the engine bay nice and clean

 

[AliK]

I like the wheel arch idea in fact that's where the factory one is on the Audi estate.

I once designed / made a car alarm on my electronics degree as an assignment - complete with mercury tilt switch but wasn't allowed the explosives !

One of the things I did which was most effective (attested by friends who tested it) was that I put a 120dB high pitched siren inside the car under the dash also. It was completely unbearable to sit in an enclosed environment with it on song!

If they want your car they'll find a way but you can make it as inconvenient as possible at least!