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