Why Your Insurance Company Wants an S5 Tracker and Why That’s Not Enough

If you’ve recently spoken to your car insurance provider about a high-value or performance vehicle, you’ve probably heard the phrase “S5 tracker required.” More and more insurers are insisting on these advanced tracking devices to even offer coverage, but while that’s a smart first step, it’s far from the full picture when it comes to keeping your vehicle secure.

What Is an S5 Tracker?

S5 trackers are the highest category of vehicle tracking systems, certified by Thatcham, the UK’s motor insurance research centre. They include:

24/7 monitoring by a dedicated security team

GPS and GSM tracking

Automatic Driver Recognition (ADR) tags to verify if the person driving the car is authorised

Tow-away and tamper alerts

Many insurance companies now make S5 trackers a condition of policy approval for high-value, prestige, and performance cars. In other words, no S5 means no insurance.

But a Tracker Only Helps After the Car Is Gone

Here’s the reality. A tracker will not stop the car from being stolen. All it can do is help recover it after the theft has happened. Professional thieves know this and can often move the vehicle out of range, disable the tracker, or strip it before recovery teams even arrive.

That’s why just having an S5 tracker isn’t enough.

Immobilisers Stop Theft Before It Happens

A proper security system should prevent the theft in the first place, not just help you find the car afterward. That’s where immobilisers come in.

Modern immobilisers, like our range from Pandora, add an invisible shield around your vehicle. These systems:

Prevent the engine from starting without a valid tag or code

Use encrypted communication that cannot be cloned

like factory immobilisers

Include features like smartphone disarming, GPS fencing, and engine shutdown

Pairing an S5 tracker with a high-end immobiliser gives you the best of both worlds. You get compliance for your insurance and real-world protection that deters and blocks theft attempts.

The Best Setup is Layered Security

At Pandora Car Alarms, we always recommend a layered security approach:

S5 Tracker to satisfy your insurer and enable recovery

Immobiliser to stop the thief in their tracks

Alarm System for audible deterrence and instant alerts

Our expert installers can combine these into a seamless system tailored to your car and lifestyle.

Need Help Choosing the Right System?

We specialise in protecting high-end, luxury, and performance vehicles. Whether you’re meeting an insurance requirement or just want peace of mind, we’re here to help.

📞 Get in touch today for expert advice or to book your installation.