EU legislation in 1995 made the fitting of electronic immobilisers mandatory on all new cars manufactured after October 1998. This is designed to prevent a car from starting without the key. While increasingly sophisticated vehicle alarms and immobilisers are being fitted to cars, it seems some criminals are now concentrating on stealing the keys as a response to advances in vehicle security.


Remember to keep your keys safe at all times. Never leave car keys near a door or window. Also, remove the ignition key every time you leave your vehicle for short periods of time, perhaps when you are filling the car up with petrol or popping into the newsagents. It only takes a few seconds for someone to jump into your car and drive away.

Tracking devices can locate your vehicle following car key theft and many insurers now insist an approved tracking device is fitted to a significantly valuable or attractive car. We like i-mob as it’s full of features to protect you and your car. Following a vehicle theft i-mob security devices allow you to make immediate contact with your vehicle from any phone enabling you to immobilise it remotely and find out its whereabouts.

There are many security systems to choose from and we must stress the importance of checking the insurer’s requirements with us before deciding which device to buy and install. The Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre, Thatcham as they are more commonly known, have categorised vehicle location systems, vehicle remote immobilisation systems and vehicle signalling systems and whilst insurers will currently consider devices outside of this category we believe this will become industry standard before too long.