With so many car alarm makes and models available in the UK one of the first
decisions you need to make is to choose between a simple self install alarm
or a security system that requires professional car
alarm installation.
Starting on a low budget with a cheap
car alarm suitable for DIY fitting you should look out for a non insurance
approved alarm without an immobiliser such as the Microscan AN200 which is also
a compact design and installing it is easy even where space is tight. On the
other hand the K9
car alarm has an immobiliser which is more complicated to install as it
requires connection to part of the engines electrical system such as the starter
motor, fuel pump or ignition circuit which makes it unsuitable for do-it-yourself
installation.
With any category of thatcham
security you will need to use a Thatcham approved installer who will provide
a Thatcham certificate on completion which must be presented to your motor insurance
company as proof that the alarm has been correctly fitted according to the manufacturers
instructions by a qualified fitter. You can choose to use a VSIB,
Vehicle Systems Installation Board, accredited fitter or an installer who has
undergone training by the manufacturer to fit Thatcham approved systems.
There is list of insurance approved UK
car alarms on the Thatcham website which include Category1 alarm and immobiliser
and 2>1 alarm upgrade which is designed to upgrade an existing category 2
immobiliser to a full category 1 alarm and immobiliser, you can find out if
your car has a factory fitted cat2 immobiliser by visiting the
Thatcham
website. Additional security extras should be considered if you live in
a high crime rate area, for example a
car
alarm in London or any other built up area can be purchased with an anti
car jacking security included, this is available as standard on the
Toad
Ai606 or
Cobra
3198.
