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Antitheft devices required to validate insurance!
Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:24 pm
by Squiggle
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.
Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:38 pm
by PSL184
It sounds like they are requesting a visual deterrent ?
Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:40 pm
by ASL642
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.
Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:45 pm
by PSL184
Agreed but the insurance insistance is visual to deter the attempt in the first place.....
Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:45 pm
by Squiggle
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?
Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:47 pm
by Squiggle
PSL184 wrote:Agreed but the insurance insistance is visual to deter the attempt in the first place.....
Ah......yes....penny drops

Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:50 pm
by PSL184
I use a disklock steering wheel device. I have used the handbrake / gearlever type in the past but found them too easy to remove....
Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:52 pm
by ASL642
In which case fit the cheapest steering wheel anti theft device you can and also the petrol cut out switch. Best of both worlds!
Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:53 pm
by Squiggle
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 !!!
Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:54 pm
by Squiggle
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!
Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:54 pm
by emmerson
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........
Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:56 pm
by d_harris
Those are VERY easy to get around. Don't even have to take the wheel off....
Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 6:02 pm
by Squiggle
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.
Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 6:08 pm
by alex_holden
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.

Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 7:19 pm
by aupickup
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
Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 8:50 pm
by wibble_puppy
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

Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:03 pm
by aupickup
Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:05 pm
by wibble_puppy
Exactly

Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:10 pm
by bigginger
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
Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:16 pm
by paulhumphries
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