Thatcham Explained

Thieves are becoming increasingly technologically aware in the methods they adopt to steal vehicles. Because of this, security systems have to do more than just sound a loud alarm.

In 1993 the Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre (MIRRC) at Thatcham in Berkshire was tasked with establishing standards for car security systems - testing, evaluating and approving them as able to meet the demands required by insurance companies. The result was the Thatcham set of criteria, rigorous product testing standards and lists of approved products, reviewed regularly. Thatcham gives Category numbers to each section of the security market:

Category 1:                       The category usually specified by car insurers.

Category 2:                       Two point engine immobilisation system.

Category 2 to 1 Upgrade:   Upgrades a vehicle to full Thatcham
                                        Category 1 status.

Category 5:                       Insurance industry approved systems, harness
                                        the power of telematics.

Q-class:                            "Non-categorised" systems.          

Cobra was the first company to achieve a Thatcham listing. More than 20 Cobra security products are approved by Thatcham - more than any other security manufacturer.