| Thatcham car alarms are approved by UK motor | | | | Clifford Avital, Clifford Concept, Cobra, |
| insurance companies and by fitting one you | | | | Gemini, Meta, Toad and Viper. |
| will enjoy cheaper car insurance and a high | | | | |
| level of car security. The Thatcham | | | | A Thatcham cat1 alarm will have an ultrasonic |
| organisation is an independent body set up by | | | | sensor to protect the interior of hard top |
| the insurance industry to improve vehicle | | | | cars but open top cars must be fitted with a |
| safety and security for cars, vans, HGVs, | | | | microwave sensor in place of the ultrasonic |
| motor bikes, plant and other vehicles. A | | | | sensor. The immobiliser part has at least two |
| Thatcham alarm must be professionally | | | | circuit protection; this can be the fuel |
| installed by a qualified fitter who will | | | | pump, ignition circuit or starter motor. |
| issue a Thatcham certificate on completion | | | | Other features of a Thatcham alarm are a high |
| which must be presented to the insurance | | | | security remote control that cannot be copied |
| company. | | | | and self power siren which stays on after the |
| | | | wires are cut. |
| There are two categories of Thatcham alarm, | | | | |
| category 2 to 1 alarm upgrade and category 1 | | | | The remote control that comes with a Thatcham |
| alarm and immobiliser. If you have a newer UK | | | | alarm operates both the alarm and central |
| specification car it will have a factory | | | | locking system, so if you previously had key |
| fitted Thatcham category 2 immobiliser so you | | | | operated central locking you can now lock and |
| will only need a 2 to1 upgrade. For older | | | | unlock the doors by remote control. Some of |
| cars or ones that have been imported | | | | the more expensive Thatcham alarms have extra |
| privately you will need a full Thatcham | | | | buttons to open the luggage area |
| category 1 alarm and immobiliser. | | | | independently. |
| | | | |
| Thatcham do not manufacture car alarms, they | | | | Extra security modules can be added to a |
| set design standards for car alarm | | | | Thatcham alarm such as; automatic electric |
| manufacturers to meet and each alarm is given | | | | window closure, tilt sensor, radio pager, SMS |
| an evaluation code if it passes and makes it | | | | text message pager, dual zone pre warning |
| onto the Thatcham list of car alarms. Some of | | | | bleep or glass break sensor. |
| the well know Thatcham car alarms are; | | | | |