Antitheft devices required to validate insurance!

Post by **Squiggle** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:24 pm

Just had a very pleasant telephone conversation with RH.

But, I'm told I have to have an antitheft device fitted to validate the insurance.

Steeringwheel lock, handbrake lock or a clamp. I'm asking them to consider a fuel cut out switch instead.

Waiting to hear.

Wonder how much handbrake locks are. I understand a lot of damage can occur if a crook tries to remove a steeringwheel lock.

Post by **PSL184** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:38 pm

It sounds like they are requesting a visual deterrent ?

Post by **ASL642** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:40 pm

Best device is a fuel cut off device. This is not obvious to the thief until he runs out of petrol! but you have to remember to turn it off when you're in the car otherwise it'll cut out on you. Simply fitted.

Post by **PSL184** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:45 pm

Agreed but the insurance insistance is visual to deter the attempt in the first place.....

Post by **Squiggle** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:45 pm

regaliaqueen wrote:Best device is a fuel cut off device. This is not obvious to the thief until he runs out of petrol! but you have to remember to turn it off when you're in the car otherwise it'll cut out on you. Simply fitted.

Hmm interesting. Maybe there's value in having both visual and hidden.

Might look too easy without a visible deterrent........thinking of the damage done when breaking in....

Has anyone on here used a handbrake lock? Are they efficient/expensive?

Post by **Squiggle** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:47 pm

PSL184 wrote:Agreed but the insurance insistance is visual to deter the attempt in the first place.....

Ah......yes....penny drops

Post by **PSL184** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:50 pm

I use a disklock steering wheel device. I have used the handbrake / gearlever type in the past but found them too easy to remove....

Post by **ASL642** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:52 pm

In which case fit the cheapest steering wheel anti theft device you can and also the petrol cut out switch. Best of both worlds!

Post by **Squiggle** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:53 pm

PSL184 wrote:I use a disklock steering wheel device. I have used the handbrake / gearlever type in the past but found them too easy to remove....

Just found this on this site:

IMMOBILISERS

There are two types - mechanical and electrical.

The mechanical ones such as "Krooklocks", steering wheel locks and handbrake/gearstick locks have a high visible deterrent value, need no expert fitting and cost £10 - £35. However, most of the steering wheel type ones on the market do not have the SS PACT mark as a determined and well equipped thief can cut through the steering wheel and remove the device. The only one that has the SS PACT mark is the Disklock which completely enclose the steering wheel, but will set you back £100.

Ugh. £100 !!!

Post by **Squiggle** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:54 pm

regaliaqueen wrote:In which case fit the cheapest steering wheel anti theft device you can and also the petrol cut out switch. Best of both worlds!

YES!!!

Most helpful.

THANKYOU!

Post by **emmerson** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:54 pm

I have one of those double-ended fork things that locks across the steering wheel. Highly visible, and impossible to drive with it on.
Mind you, a determined thief would just take the wheel off and put another one on........

Post by **d_harris** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:56 pm

Those are VERY easy to get around. Don't even have to take the wheel off....

Post by **Squiggle** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 6:02 pm

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... _langId_-1

Although cheaper ones are listed on websites I don't recognise.

Need to do a bit of measuring.

Post by **alex_holden** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 6:08 pm

Squiggle wrote:
The only one that has the SS PACT mark is the Disklock which completely enclose the steering wheel, but will set you back £100.
Ugh. £100 !!!

They're also huge, heavy, cumbersome, and difficult to put on and take off without scratching the inside of the windscreen.

Post by **aupickup** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 7:19 pm

also remeber that some car theives are bad news
if they can not get the anti theft steering lock etc off when they have broken in, through sheer bloody mindlessness they will smash the inside up

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 8:50 pm

alex_holden wrote:They're also huge, heavy, cumbersome, and difficult to put on and take off without scratching the inside of the windscreen.

Just takes a bit of finesse, Holden

I've got a Diskloc and also two hidden immobiliser switches. Worth doing properly if you care about the car - OTOH loads and loads of people seem to get away with no anti-theft measures at all and never have any problem

Post by **aupickup** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:03 pm

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:05 pm

Exactly

Post by **bigginger** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:10 pm

Dan_Harris wrote:Those are VERY easy to get around. Don't even have to take the wheel off....

Seconded, AFAIK the disclock is the only one that doesn't apply to*, hence the greater price

*and I'm happy to be corrected over that

Post by **paulhumphries** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:16 pm

What about an aftermarket steering wheel on a detachable boss ?
That way you could remove wheel and keep in the house , work or use a padlock and chain to secure it in the boot.

Paul H