nick1977

Need some help here!
A-Plan have asked for a certificate for my alarm system, but looking through the documenatation there isn't one. The previous insurer never asked for it so was never really a problem.
I have rung around a few local places to find out what my options are, such as getting alarm re-assessed which seems to be about £30.
However, none of the installers have heard of the make, which seems to be GT on the front on the keyfob, and "Getronic" on the back. There is a possibility it is not Thatcham approved, and therefore I may need a new one.
Apparently it is more expensive if the car did not come from the factory with an immoboliser fitted, and I am not sure if it did
It has a red light for the immoboliser on the dash if that helps (can't remember exactly where offhand, but if important I can always photo it and post).

Can anyone recommend a good car security place in the Watford area that might be able to help?

Thanks
Nick

nick1977

Just done a bit more searching, and it looks like it is GT the company is known as. The alarm fob has GT482/GT82N on the back. Does anyone know how I could identify what model the alarm is?

Thanks
Nick

nick1977

Is there no-one who can give me a bit of assistance? Don't want to be ripped off for a new alarm system if it's not necessary!

Beastie

iTrader: (2)

Have a look here: brochures here
and here: 108/142 GT car alarm Thatcham category 2>1 insurance approved installation and certification service
Dont know anything about them myself but it appears that some do have thatcham type 1 and type 2 approval.

Sigma Sam

As your vehicle is an imported Subaru, then regardless of year etc, the factory immobiliser will not be recognised by Thatcham (the UK insurance industry repair and research centre) as they will not have had any request to test European vehicles - therefore you will always require a full "Thatcham Cat 1 Alarm/Immobiliser" on an import, a "Thatcham Cat 2 to 1 Alarm Upgrade" must not be installed for insurance purposes as the existing factory immobiliser has no Thatcham evaluation number and so cannot be used as the basis for an upgrade.
In short, although your vehicle may have a factory immobiliser, you will require a full Cat 1 system, due to the vehicle being an import.

I can't understand that the installers you have visited have not heard of GT. Although not that popular these days, it was a large brand some years ago.
The details on your system's radio key, with the exception of the GT logo to establish manufacturer, are seldom of any use as the numbers quite often refer to European radio transmission legislation etc, rather than product number - the systems product number should be visible on the alarm system's main control unit though.
Checking the Thatcham website
thatcham.org | Security | Security Categories
only the GT 136/142 and GT 636/444 are listed as Category 1 approved.
If the system is indeed one of these and your insurance company are requesting a certificate of installation, then an alarm specialist should be prepared to issue you with a certificate, once they have given the installation a check over, and carrying out any ammendments that they feel necessary before putting their name to the installation.

If the existing GT product is not one of the above, and not listed under the Thatcham Cat 1 listings for passenger cars, then I'm afraid that you will be looking at a Full Cat 1 install to satisfy your insurance company.

I hope that makes things a little clearer.

SS

nick1977

Thanks for all the advice guys. I checked under the bonnet, and the part of the alarm I can identify has the number 142 on it.
I have the car booked in Wednesday for an inspection so fingers crossed all is well.

Nick

nick1977

Just to update, I had the alarm assessed today and it passed
Cost £30 at Impulse in Watford, so all is now well.
Thanks everyone for help.

Nick