Do You Need a Thatcham Tracker for Motorbike Insurance?
Your renewal has come in higher than you hoped, and you are wondering whether a tracker would bring it down. Maybe. UK insurers recognise Thatcham approved devices, so a tracker with a named Thatcham category is the right place to start. What your insurer does with it is up to the insurer.
Do you need one?
No law requires a tracker on a motorbike. If there is a requirement, it sits in your insurance policy, and it often depends on the bike, where you keep it and what you want to pay. Some policies ask for an approved device. Others offer a lower premium when you fit one.
So ask first and buy second. If the premium itself is the worry, our guide to high motorcycle insurance premiums covers the other levers.
Levels of protection
For trackers, the Thatcham category is what separates one device from another in an insurer’s eyes.
| Level | What it is | Our example |
|---|---|---|
| Thatcham S5 | Tracking and recovery after a theft. Ours is monitored 24/7/365 and uses a rider tag to spot a ride that is not yours. | Stealth S5, £359 with installation |
| Thatcham S7 | Stolen vehicle location. Ours runs on its own batteries and our monitoring team phones you if the armed bike moves. | Quantum 3 and Quantum 3 Self-Fit, £249.99 |
| No category stated | A tracker sold without a Thatcham category on its maker’s website. Your insurer decides whether it counts, and it may not. | Check the maker’s website |
An S5 tracker sits at the top of that list, and an S7 tracker sits above one with no category. Alarms and immobilisers have their own set of categories, which our category explainer covers.
Can a battery tracker be Thatcham approved?
Yes. Our Quantum 3 is a battery powered tracker with a Thatcham Category S7 approval, and the batteries can last three years, depending on your settings. The standard Quantum 3 is installed by a Datatool Approved Installer with installation included. The Self-Fit you fit yourself, and it keeps its approval only if you follow the instruction guide exactly. Registration checks that with a photo of your install.
Battery powered does not mean approved, though, so look for the category on the product page before you rely on it. We set the Quantum 3 Self-Fit against another battery tracker in Quantum 3 Self-Fit against Monimoto.
What to ask your insurer
- Do you require an approved tracker for my bike, or offer a discount for one?
- Which Thatcham categories do you accept, S5, S7 or both?
- Will you accept a self-fitted tracker, or must a professional fit it?
- What proof of fitting do you need?
- How much would my premium change in pounds, and does the saving apply at every renewal?
- Do you also want an alarm, immobiliser or lock alongside the tracker?
Write the answers down and keep the receipt and the registration confirmation. They are your evidence if you ever have to claim.
What the tracker costs to run
A Thatcham tracker is a purchase plus a subscription. The Quantum 3 is £249.99, then £12.49 a month, £119 for a year or £309 for three years. The Stealth S5 is £359 with installation, on the same £12.49 monthly price, with longer plans up to £549 for lifetime. Why trackers have a monthly fee explains what the subscription pays for.
More to read
See the trackers side by side on our motorcycle trackers page, learn what Thatcham approved means, or read how to choose a motorbike tracker.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Thatcham tracker for motorbike insurance?
There is no law that says you must fit one. Your insurer and your policy decide, and some insurers ask for an approved device on certain bikes or give a discount for one. Check your policy documents or ask which categories your insurer accepts.
Are battery motorcycle trackers insurance approved?
That depends on the tracker, not on the battery. A battery tracker with a Thatcham category, such as our Quantum 3 at S7, is a Thatcham approved device, and UK insurers recognise those. A battery tracker with no stated category is a question for its maker and your insurer.
What is the difference between Thatcham S5 and S7?
They are two Thatcham tracker categories. S5 covers tracking and recovery after a theft, and our Stealth S5 adds 24/7/365 monitoring and a rider tag. S7 covers stolen vehicle location, and our Quantum 3 is S7 approved in a battery powered unit.
Is a self-fit tracker still Thatcham approved?
The Quantum 3 Self-Fit is, as long as it is installed exactly as the Quantum 3 instruction guide says. That is what keeps the S7 approval valid. Tell your insurer the tracker is self-fitted, because some will want to know.
Will a Thatcham tracker lower my premium?
It can, but the discount is your insurer’s call. Ask for the saving in pounds with and without the tracker, then set it against the subscription.
Is a Thatcham alarm the same as a Thatcham tracker?
No. An alarm makes noise at the bike, and a tracker reports where the bike has gone. Insurers can ask for one, the other or both, so read our page on Thatcham approved alarms too.
How do I tell if a tracker really has Thatcham approval?
Look for a named category such as S5 or S7 on the maker’s website, not just a logo. If the category is missing, ask the maker which one applies, then ask your insurer to confirm it accepts that device.
Next step
Once your insurer has told you which category it wants, buy the Quantum 3 Self-Fit for an S7 battery tracker you fit yourself, order the Quantum 3 with installation included, or order the Stealth S5 for S5. Not sure which category to ask for? Call our team on 01257 249928 in office hours, Monday to Friday.