Insurance approved trackers: what your insurer actually wants
The short answer: when an insurer asks for an "approved tracker", it almost always means a device certified by Thatcham Research in a named category, usually S5 or S7, and fitted with the paperwork to prove it. But Thatcham itself says certification does not guarantee any insurer will recognise a product. Your policy wording decides, so read it before you buy anything.
Where "approved" comes from
Thatcham Research runs the UK's long-standing scheme for aftermarket vehicle security, now called Thatcham Security Certification. It certifies products against published criteria, and those certifications are reviewed every two years. The criteria that matter for trackers and immobilisers are:
| Category | Thatcham's name | Where you will meet it |
|---|---|---|
| Category 1 | Electronic alarm and immobiliser | Factory-fit or aftermarket alarm with immobiliser |
| Category 2 | Electronic immobiliser | Immobiliser-only systems |
| Category 2-1 | Electronic alarm | Upgrading an alarm on a car that already has an immobiliser |
| Category 4 | Wheel locking devices | Locking wheel nuts and similar |
| Category S5 | Vehicle tracking systems | High-value or high-risk cars where the insurer specifies S5 |
| Category S7 | Asset location systems | Cars, vans and plant where the insurer asks for location and recovery support |
Thatcham lists passenger cars, light commercial vehicles, caravans and leisure vehicles, motorcycles, and plant and agricultural machinery as covered vehicle types. You may still see older names such as "Cat 5" and "Cat 6" in policy documents and on resellers' sites. Treat them as a cue to ask your insurer which current category they will accept.
Certified is not the same as accepted by your insurer
This is the point most sellers skip. Thatcham's own wording is that certification "does not guarantee insurer recognition", because recognition is agreed between each product's manufacturer and its insurance partners. In practice that means:
- Two S5 trackers can both be certified, yet your insurer may name only one brand.
- An insurer may require proof of fitting, an active subscription and a working driver tag, not just the hardware.
- If the subscription lapses, a condition that was met on day one may no longer be met.
The five questions to ask your insurer, in writing
- Which category do you require: S5, S7, or either?
- Do you specify brands or models, or will any product certified in that category do?
- What evidence do you need, and by when: an installation certificate, a subscription confirmation, or both?
- Does the condition apply from the start of cover, or is there a fitting window?
- What happens to cover if the monitoring subscription ends or the device develops a fault?
Keep the reply. If you are quoted for a tracker, give the installer that exact wording so the product and the paperwork match it.
S5 or S7: a quick way to decide
If the insurer names a category, follow it; buying higher than required mostly adds cost. If they accept either, the difference is driver recognition. S5 systems are built to tell an authorised driver from an unauthorised one, which matters when thieves take the keys or clone a keyless fob. Our S5 vs S7 comparison covers that trade-off in detail, and the tracker cost guide shows what each typically costs fitted.
Common questions
Will an approved tracker lower my premium?
Sometimes, but not reliably. On many high-risk vehicles the tracker is a condition of getting cover at all rather than a discount. Ask the insurer to quote with and without it.
Is a TASSA-verified product the same as Thatcham certified?
No. TASSA is a separate trade association verification. Some insurers view it positively, but check whether your policy names Thatcham, TASSA or a specific product.
Can I fit an approved tracker myself?
Insurers that set a tracker condition normally expect professional installation with a certificate. A self-fitted device is unlikely to satisfy the condition, so confirm with the insurer first.
I bought a used car with a tracker already fitted. Does it count?
Only if it is a certified product, it works, and the subscription has been transferred to you. Ask the provider for a transfer and a current certificate before you rely on it.
Sources: Thatcham Research, Thatcham Security Certification (page updated July 2024, read 5 November 2026). Trackerstop is not affiliated with Thatcham Research or any insurer.