Motorists want the peace of mind that their car will still be where they parked it after shopping at the mall or visiting a friend.
Businesses in the freight industry need peace of mind that the hundreds of wheels daily traversing the length and breadth of the country are safe for every kilometre of the journey.
That’s why reliable tracking devices have become a must-have for SA motorists, says Wahl Bartmann, the group CEO at the Fidelity Services Group.
“Investing in a vehicle monitoring and tracking system is the final step in ensuring the safest driving experience. Whether it’s your family car or a fleet of trucks, knowing you have eyes on your investment at all times gives you peace of mind and can save you a lot of money in future,” he explains.
“This is because installing a vehicle recovery device can quite drastically reduce insurance premiums, saving you money in the long run.
“A question insurance companies ask during the risk profiling process is if you have a tracking device installed, given that this increases your vehicle’s security. In SA, having a tracker is also often an insurance requirement for higher-value vehicles.”
Bartmann reiterates that since a tracking system is not a standard issue on a vehicle, it is vital to think about what happens to the system when your car has been in an accident or if you sell it.
Here’s what consumers need to know:
When a vehicle is sold• Transfer of ownership:There are several options, depending on whether you are still in contract with your tracking company or are on a month-to-month contract.
• If you are still in contract:Try to convince the buyer of your car to take over your tracking service contract. Your tracking company will have to do a change of ownership if the buyer wants to. If the buyer declines to take over your obligations, you remain liable for the monthly subscriptions until the contract ends.
However, you can ask to terminate the contract, and the company will usually allow this subject to a cancellation fee (which should align with the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act). The Act allows the tracking service provider to recover reasonable costs if a customer cancels their contract within the term.
When a vehicle is in an accident• If you are still in contract:If your vehicle was repairable and once you have taken delivery after the repairs, ask your tracking company to test the device or do a quality inspection to ensure it performs optimally. This is crucial for insurance purposes.
It is, therefore, crucial to ask your insurer if the device is covered fully in an accident or if your vehicle is stolen/hijacked and not recovered. Your insurer will likely compensate you for the loss of the tracking device, which might cover the cancellation fee with the tracking company.
• Removing the device (when the vehicle is sold or scrapped after a crash) and deactivating services (when selling or scrapping it):If your vehicle is unrepairable and your insurer has written it off, you must ask the tracking company to cancel the contract. Again, the company will cancel your contract subject to a cancellation fee, which should align with the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act.
Bartmann says that thanks to the technology available today, tracking devices are highly traceable with an encouraging recovery rate, which could keep your family safe in a hijacking or kidnapping.
“Tracking devices today offer highly sophisticated protection at an affordable rate, which makes them worth investing in.”
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