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 British insurance industry test centre 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: |
Combined
alarm and immobiliser system with self-powered siren and two point engine immobilisation
system. Category 1 systems meet Thatcham's toughest testing criteria. The category
usually specified by car insurers. |
| Category
2: |
Two
point engine immobilisation system. Offers no interior protection for goods left
in the vehicle. |
| Category 2 to 1
Upgrade: |
Upgrades
a vehicle that has a Thatcham Category 2 immobiliser already installed to a full
Thatcham Category 1 alarm system. |
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.
|
