| One of the major risks of motorcycles is | | | | |
| theft, causing the increase of motorbike | | | | An average Cat. 1 alarm and immobiliser |
| insurance all the time. A good preventative | | | | system could set you back as much as 350.00 |
| measure is to fit your vehicle with security | | | | pounds including fitting. These types of |
| in order to reduce your insurance cost and to | | | | systems can include functions such as an |
| deter thieves from trying to steal your pride | | | | alert to your mobile phone if your bike |
| and joy. | | | | thinks it is being stolen, or a proximity |
| | | | sensor when someone might get too close to |
| Security devices generally come in different | | | | your vehicle. Quite often, an alarm and |
| categories ranging from 1 to 5 (1 being the | | | | immobiliser such as this may be included and |
| best and most expensive). Below is a list of | | | | fitted when purchasing a new vehicle. |
| the category description: | | | | |
| | | | Many major manufacturers fit a standard |
| Cat 1: Electronic alarm and immobiliser | | | | immobiliser to their newer models, |
| combined system | | | | manufacturers such as Honda, Kawasaki or |
| | | | Yamaha fit newer vehicles with an ignition |
| Cat 2: Electronic immobiliser (Upgradeable to | | | | security system. Manufacturers such as |
| Cat.1 with an alarm system) | | | | Peugeot fit many of their newer scooters with |
| | | | mechanical security known as a Boa Lock, |
| Cat 3: Mechanical device such as a lock or | | | | which can be pulled out from the rear of the |
| chain | | | | vehicle and secured to an anchor point; all |
| | | | in an effort to reduce the cost of your |
| Cat 4: Wheel locking devices | | | | motorbike insurance, as scooters are the most |
| | | | common type of vehicle to be stolen. |
| Cat 5: After-theft systems, such as trackers | | | | |
| or datatagging. | | | | The most effective type of security that will |
| | | | always bring cheaper motorbike insurance |
| Each product is reviewed every 12 months, so | | | | quotes is a secure brick built garage. Most |
| the category may depend on the age of the | | | | insurers can give such a large discount for |
| system fitted to your vehicle. Although an | | | | this that the insurer may add an endorsement |
| alarm and immobiliser may start life as a | | | | to your policy, to state that the vehicle |
| Cat.1 system, after 12 months it may not be | | | | must always be kept in your garage whilst at |
| considered to be at this level. | | | | the home address. |
| | | | |
| The most effective type of security is locks, | | | | Cat. 5 devices (After-theft products) include |
| chains and especially disk locks. Cat. 3/4 | | | | devices such as trackers, or tagging systems |
| devices or physical devices cause the most | | | | such as alpha dot or datatagging. These |
| problems to thieves as they make the bike | | | | devices are designed to recover the vehicle |
| immobile when anchored. Rather than an | | | | after a theft has taken place. Although |
| electronic system that is reliant on power, | | | | tagging systems normally cost between 30 |
| mechanical devices can also be the cheapest | | | | pounds and 60, pounds tracking systems can be |
| to buy, although they are perhaps the most | | | | very expensive, in addition to the initial |
| effective. | | | | cost of the system you will also have a |
| | | | monthly subscription cost to keep the service |
| Many insurers do not offer huge discounts | | | | running. |
| when considering security on a motorbike | | | | |
| insurance policy, especially when you compare | | | | Motorcycle security is always a good idea; |
| the cost of the security system to the amount | | | | everything helps against the theft of your |
| of discount on the insurance. Although, many | | | | vehicle. Insurers will always help by |
| insurers may make the security a condition of | | | | reducing the cost of your insurance in |
| the policy, they will not provide a price | | | | accordance with the type of security fitted |
| without a certain category security system | | | | and where the vehicle is kept at the home |
| fitted to the vehicle; this can be in | | | | address. |
| relation to the value of the vehicle. | | | | |