My Insurer Says I Need a Tracker Within Seven Days: What Now?

If your insurer requires a tracker urgently, contact them immediately to confirm the exact tracker category they will accept. Once you have the requirement in writing, choose a suitable S5 or S7 system, arrange professional installation and send the installation certificate to your insurer before the deadline.

Seven days may feel like a tight timeframe, but the process can be straightforward when you deal with each step in the right order. Safe & Sound Mobile offers nationwide mobile installation, allowing an engineer to fit an appropriate vehicle tracker at your home, workplace or another suitable location.

The most important point is not to guess which tracker your insurer wants. An S5 tracker is not automatically necessary simply because it offers additional functionality, and an S7 tracker will not be sufficient when your policy specifically requires an S5 system.

Key Takeaways

• Ask your insurer to confirm the required tracker category in writing.
• Check whether the policy requires S5, S7 or a specific approved product.
• Book professional mobile installation as soon as possible.
• Give the installer accurate vehicle and insurance information.
• Submit the installation certificate before the insurer’s deadline.
• Check that the monitoring subscription has been activated.
• Keep the subscription renewed for as long as the insurance condition applies.
• Contact your insurer before the deadline if installation cannot be completed in time.

Step 1: Confirm Exactly What Your Insurer Requires

Start by reading the email, policy endorsement or letter sent by your insurer. Look for wording such as:

• Category S5 vehicle tracking system
• Category S7 asset location system
• Thatcham-certified tracker
• Driver recognition
• ADR tags
• Tracker with immobilisation
• Installation by an approved installer

Thatcham Research describes S5 as its Vehicle Tracking Systems category and S7 as its Asset Location Systems category. However, Thatcham also explains that product certification does not automatically guarantee acceptance by every insurer. Recognition is determined between product manufacturers and individual insurance providers.

This is why you should ask your insurer to confirm:

1. The required category.
2. Whether a particular brand or model is specified.
3. Whether the product must appear on a current approved-product list.
4. Whether professional installation is required.
5. What proof must be submitted.
6. The exact date and time by which installation must be completed.
7. Whether the subscription must cover a minimum period.

Ask for the answer by email or through the insurer’s secure messaging system. Written confirmation gives you something clear to provide to the installer and reduces the risk of ordering the wrong system.

Do not rely solely on a telephone conversation. If you speak to someone by phone, ask them to send the requirement to you in writing afterwards.

Step 2: Understand the Difference Between S5 and S7

S5 and S7 trackers both support vehicle location and monitored stolen-vehicle response, but they belong to different security categories.

What Is an S7 Tracker?

An S7 tracker is designed primarily to locate a vehicle following unauthorised movement or theft. Depending on the chosen product and service, it may provide monitored alerts, location information, battery-related warnings and access to an app.

Safe & Sound Mobile currently offers a dedicated range of S7 tracking systems with nationwide installation options.

An S7 system may be suitable when:

• The insurer specifically requests Category S7.
• Driver recognition is not required.
• The policy asks for a monitored asset-location system.
• You want professionally installed tracking without ADR tags.

What Is an S5 Tracker?

An S5 tracker normally includes Automatic Driver Recognition, often referred to as ADR. The authorised driver carries a small tag. If the vehicle is moved without a recognised tag being present, the monitoring service can receive an alert.

Safe & Sound Mobile supplies S5 tracking options that include driver-recognition functionality, as well as monitored tracking and professional installation.

An S5 tracker may be required when:

• The insurer specifically states Category S5.
• The insurance condition mentions driver recognition.
• The insurer requires ADR tags.
• The vehicle has been placed into a higher security-risk group.

S5 or S7: Quick Comparison

Features and subscription arrangements differ between products. Always compare the exact system against the wording supplied by your insurer rather than relying on the category alone.

Step 3: Book Installation Immediately

Once the required category has been confirmed, arrange installation straight away. Do not wait until the sixth or seventh day before contacting an installer.

Safe & Sound Mobile provides professional nationwide mobile installation for vehicle trackers, including S5 and S7 options. The fitting can be arranged at a suitable home or workplace location, subject to installer availability and safe working conditions.

When making the booking, have the following information ready:

• Vehicle registration number
• Make and model
• Year of manufacture
• Fuel type
• Your postcode
• The insurer’s deadline
• The exact tracker category required
• Any specific insurer wording
• A suitable installation address
• Your preferred contact details

Sending a screenshot or copy of the insurer’s requirement can be particularly helpful. It allows the installer to check that the selected product appears to match the requested category.

However, the final decision about whether a system satisfies the policy remains with the insurer. The installer can explain the tracker’s certification and features, but they cannot guarantee how an individual insurance company will interpret its own policy wording.

Step 4: Prepare for the Mobile Installation

A little preparation can prevent unnecessary delays on the installation day.

Make sure the engineer can access the vehicle and that it is parked somewhere safe and legal. There should be enough space to open the doors and work around the vehicle without causing an obstruction.

You should also:

• Have all vehicle keys available.
• Make sure the vehicle battery is in working order.
• Remove unnecessary items from the interior and boot.
• Ensure any locking gates or car parks are accessible.
• Keep your phone nearby in case the engineer needs to contact you.
• Allow time for registration and system testing after fitting.

The tracker is normally installed discreetly, so you should not publish or share information about its location. A covert installation is an important part of the system’s security.

If you are having an S5 tracker fitted, the engineer or tracking provider should also explain how the driver-recognition tags work. Make sure you understand where to keep them, what happens when a tag is not detected and how to obtain a replacement if one is lost.

Step 5: Check the Tracker Has Been Activated

Installation and subscription activation are related, but they are not always the same thing.

After fitting, check that:

• Your details have been registered correctly.
• The monitoring account is active.
• The correct vehicle registration is recorded.
• Your telephone number and email address are accurate.
• Any mobile app access has been set up.
• ADR tags have been tested where applicable.
• You know how to contact the monitoring provider.
• You understand the renewal date.

Do not assume that having the physical unit installed is enough. A monitored tracker usually depends on an active subscription and a correctly registered customer account.

Keep copies of account emails, subscription confirmations and installation documents. They may be needed if your insurer later asks you to demonstrate that the system remained operational.

Step 6: Send Proof to Your Insurer

Following installation, you should receive documentation identifying the fitted product and its relevant certification. The exact document format will depend on the tracker provider.

Send the requested evidence to your insurer as soon as you receive it. Do not wait until the final day simply because the tracker has already been installed.

Your insurer may request:

• An installation certificate
• The product name
• The tracker category
• The installation date
• The vehicle registration
• Installer information
• Confirmation of an active subscription

Use the insurer’s stated submission method, such as email, an online account or a document-upload portal.

After sending the document, ask for written confirmation that it has been received and that the insurance requirement has been satisfied. Keep this confirmation with your other policy documents.

For more information about S5 and S7 vehicle-tracking categories, visit the Thatcham Security Certification guide. 

Urgent Tracker Installation Checklist

What If Installation Cannot Be Completed Within Seven Days?

Contact your insurer before the deadline.

Explain that you have arranged installation and provide the confirmed appointment date. You can also send a copy of the booking confirmation if one is available.

The insurer may agree to an extension, impose temporary conditions or explain what happens to the policy while you wait. However, you should never assume that extra time will be granted.

Do not state that the requirement has been completed when you only have an appointment booked. Installation, activation and insurer acceptance are separate stages.

You should also avoid driving under the assumption that theft cover remains unchanged. Ask the insurer directly whether the vehicle can still be used and whether any part of the cover is restricted until the tracker is installed.

Keeping the Subscription Active

A tracker required by an insurer generally needs to remain operational for as long as that condition applies to the policy.

Record the renewal date and make sure the tracking provider has your current contact and payment details. If a subscription expires, monitoring, account services or other tracker functions may be affected.

Before cancelling or allowing a subscription to lapse, speak to your insurer. Even if you rarely use the tracker’s app, the active monitoring service may still form part of the insurer’s security requirement.

You should also update the tracking provider if you change:

• Your telephone number
• Your email address
• Your home address
• The vehicle registration
• The vehicle’s ownership
• Your payment details

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common mistake is ordering a tracker before confirming the required category. Other problems include choosing a non-monitored device, failing to activate the subscription, submitting incomplete documentation or assuming the installer will contact the insurer on your behalf.

Avoid selecting a tracker based solely on price or on the claim that it is “insurance approved”. Your insurer may require a particular category, certification or service arrangement.

Most importantly, do not ignore the deadline. Contacting the insurer early gives you a better chance of resolving any installation or documentation delays.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I still drive while waiting for the tracker to be installed?

That depends on your insurer and the wording of your policy. Ask whether driving is permitted and whether theft cover is restricted until installation has been completed. Get the answer in writing.

2. Should I choose an S5 tracker instead of S7 to be safe?

Not without checking. Choose the category requested by your insurer. A different or more advanced system is not automatically accepted as a substitute unless the insurer confirms that it is suitable.

3. How quickly can mobile installation be arranged?

Availability depends on your location, the selected product and current engineer schedules. Contact Safe & Sound Mobile as soon as the insurer issues the requirement and clearly state the deadline when booking.

4. What proof will my insurer need?

Most insurers request an installation certificate showing the vehicle and fitted system. Some may also ask for the product category, subscription confirmation or installer details. Ask the insurer for a complete list.

5. Is the tracker subscription included with installation?

Subscription arrangements vary between products. Check what is included, when the monitoring period begins, how much renewal will cost and whether automatic renewal is available before placing your order.

6. What happens if I let the subscription expire?

An expired subscription may affect monitoring or other tracker services. It could also mean that you no longer satisfy an insurance condition. Contact the tracking provider and your insurer before the renewal date if you have any questions.

Arrange an Urgent Nationwide Tracker Installation

If your insurer requires a tracker urgently, the first step is to obtain the exact S5 or S7 requirement in writing. Safe & Sound Mobile can then help you select a suitable system and arrange professional mobile installation at your home or workplace, subject to availability.

Send the insurance wording when making your enquiry and explain when the installation must be completed. Once fitted, activate the account, submit your certificate and obtain confirmation from your insurer that the requirement has been accepted.