Vehicle Tracking - A different perspective

[Mad Manny]

I noticed, on a lesser 4x4 Forum, that there was a discussion on vehicle tracking systems.
The basic gist of it was that some Wally had approached an Insurer for a quote & the insurer had insisted oin a Tracking device.
He was outraged & started the Thread for two reasons:
1. Give a Karenesque outburst about the Tracking stipulation
2. Ask if anyone had managed to Insure their Mall Crawler at a reasonable price, sans a Tracking device.

I didn't read much further, but the general consensus was that Tracking Devices = Bad.

Now I don't know WHY they object to having a Tracking device fitted, but I can only think of 4 reasons:
1. The guy is an in the closet Homosexual & doesn't want his frequenting of Gay bars exposed.
2. He lives in the 1980's & believes a Tracking device will interfere with the operation of his vehicle.
3. He is a Top Secret Undercover Agent Deeply In-bedded behind enemy lines & doesn't want to be tracked - but posts on a Public Forum.
4. The are insured with Discovery who uses the Tracking info (driving style, hard braking, speeding etc.) to repudiate claims.

Anyhoo, that is NOT what this Thread is about.

I rather thought I'd share my recent experience with Tracking devices, in the hope it may be of benefit to you...

[Mad Manny]

Background: I have a small business & have 5 company vehicles & Fearless.
I am, as many of you know, insured with Santam, via Erin.
Santam & other insurers, recently (late last year I think) insisted that those driving 'High Risk' vehicles add TWO tracking Beame devices.
The vehicles were (obviously, because Insurers don't understand ratios) the best selling vehicles;
* Fortuner
* Ranger
* Hilux
* Polo
...and a few others.

I happily went & had the two Beame's fitted to Fearless.

Tracker:I have tracking & vehicle Management Via Tracker, so I can pull reports on vehicle movement etc.
The Tracker Fleet Management system is not the best, not user friendly & the reports are not ideal and often lag.

Cost:I was paying close to R1800pm with Tracker, but I decided to cancel Tracker in Fearless as Fearless now had the two Beame's.
So my PA contacted Tracker to cancel. A guy called me & told me he is calling from Tracker, but then added 'Retention's Department'.
When he said that, I knew I had him. He asked me why I wanted to cancel & I told him. He then offered me a reduced rate if I stayed with Tracker.
I told him I wasn't interested & he offered a bigger reduction. I think his 1st offer was R190, but I said no.
He then he dropped to R170 & then to R148.

I then asked if could see that I have 5 company vehicles too, he clearly hadn't but found them.
I told him I intended cancelling them too (I didn't) & he offered to drop the price of all the vehicles from around R1800 to under R1200.
I agreed.
So a saving of around R600pm.

But there's more/...

[HenriSteyn]

Waiting........

[Mad Manny]

Cartrack: A guy from Cartrack called & wanted to sell me Cartrack's vehicle Tracking. I told him to get stuffed as I was with Tracker.
But after a chat I agreed he could come see my PA.

So they are offering the same as Tracker, but a more User Friendly Tracking Management system.
(To be honest, we only track the vehicles if there's an issue - so maybe aquick check once or twice a month on one vehicle.).
At a much lower price - R890pm for 6 vehicles.

Conclusion: It always amazes me how loyalty is always punished.
Be it your insurer, a Wine Subscription, a Magazine Subscription, a Cell Phone Contract, a Tracking Service, WiFi, it always pays to review & shop around.

Hope this Thread helps someone...

[PsyPhin]

1. The guy is an in the closet Homosexual & doesn't want his frequenting of Gay bars exposed.

Oh no, can they really do this?

[Mad Manny]

1. The guy is an in the closet Homosexual & doesn't want his frequenting of Gay bars exposed.

Oh no, can they really do this?

[Outlaw Shaun]

I found that , after contacting numerous tracking companies, they are nt very interested in assisting you. The N guys who we have 2 vehicles currently with, are the worst.
I will try Cartrack

[Bugjuic]

Oh what a lovely chat you have started.

I am on the waaayyyy other end of the thing, and actually cancelled my mall-crawler from an insurer that I have been insured with since the age of 16. Insurance company FORCING you to take it for a Ford Ranger, Fortuner and Hilux. I hate being told I have to do and every year they push up the Fortuners payment anyway although the value decreases…

Anyhow searched long and wide for an insurer that would insure me without the tracker systems. Found one, and gladly moved and pay more. First insurer very unhappy about the situation called me 3 months thereafter stating that they are now willing to insure again at a higher cost. Told them to get stuffed.

Good now reasons for NOT wanting to own one (tracker):

1. How I drive and where I drive has nothing to do with anyone else than myself, they can see from my claim history I am a good driver and low liability.

2. Reading through some fine print, they stipulate that you may drive “off-road” on registered tracks-no definition! Thus what happens when I roll it enjoying myself on the dunes? I don't mind paying more insurance, but then want to be covered irrespectively of where I drive within legal limits off-course.

3. IF they steal my vehicle, even after their “elite” team of firing squad gets to my vehicle in 10-30minutes I will never have trust in that vehicle again, as they have stripped the wiring/broken the dash etc… If they steal it I will make sure to notify my insurer only after a few hours making sure my vehicle is now completely stripped and written off.

4. Why do I now have to pay for the crime rate in SA rising and now have to take out another 2 contracts, above and beyond the fact that I am anyhow paying more because I drive a high risk vehicle… Not my fault I know to buy quality vehicles.

5. No one wants to steal a 4.0l V6 Fortuner. Everyone wants the 3.0 D4D. Yet I still have to pay the same as the diesel owner who bought the wrong vehicle to start with anyway.

Those who fit trackers in their vehicle because they are told so only, don’t understand the system. The insurance company will ONLY benefit themselves and not give a shit about you.

They will track you and always make sure they have some reason not to pay out if they are granted the option-I don’t care whether trackers says your info is never shared. I will never believe it. They all get and give benefits from each other, Hauk Tuah’ing each other…

[Johannes]

Well said Peet. Agree with you.
I should've had a tracker/s installed in my defender ? And Range Rover , just maybe , maybe they could of recovered them ????? Not to sure the would've

[Prof]

Firstly Manoel....Fearless is becoming somewhat long in the tooth, don't you think?

...but then it ages as well as you do

Secondly, 'small business'...that only exists in your own mind.....

Thirdly...ons ou manne are loyal customers, but we hate being bitten in the arse, thus changing tack to tell 'them' to stuff it.

[HenriSteyn]

Interesting posts!

I just had my system replaced by the N company due to no signal. Been with them since 2016 at R99 pm.

Their service is awful, one cannot speak to a hooman without phoning in at least six times, and then figuring out how to work your way through their coded numbered options. Eventually I drove to their offices in downtown CT (we were there for a short stay) and speak to the receptionist. She obviously could just listen to my ranting about trying to contact them to set up an appointment. Small fry, I suppose.

We were on our way to another venue, so I booked the Paj in the next morning.

Next morning I am there just after rush hour and they say "hafanour". This turned out to be an "hourenahaf" but I suppose stirring halfway through the job will end up being a balls up.

That's my story, still paying R99 a month 8 years I suppose not a bad deal.

[Mad Manny]

Oh what a lovely chat you have started.

1. How I drive and where I drive has nothing to do with anyone else than myself,

Gay...

[Bugjuic]

Exactly Henri!

Also I love how it is then the Owners responsibility to test the system every three months, otherwise they cannot guarantee anything? Why should I check it, if the system is literally made to check itself every few seconds…

[Samaya]

Of all the trackers I was involved with, Cartrack and Mix Telematics probably has the most solid products. CTrack is not bad but old product. Netstar is not good and Tracker is really crap. Everything else is not worth mentioning.

[Mad Manny]

I found that , after contacting numerous tracking companies, they are nt very interested in assisting you. The N guys who we have 2 vehicles currently with, are the worst.
I will try Cartrack

I'll send you Dean McCarthys details...