Just got my annual insurance renewal and it went up 3%.

I guess BMW M cars aren't considered high risk.

 

I never hear about BMWs getting stolen in my neighborhood...and there are a lot of them!

 

X5s and X7s are the only models I've heard being stolen...

 

See my post (#27). BMW are hard to steal. 3-series is one of the least stolen vehicle in Canada.

 

And those are usually stolen by breaking into homes and stealing key fobs.

 

Got my gouging yesterday and the claim is the Porsche spiking it by $700. I passed on the Tag. I have a Ghost immobilizer and some other tracking software so this does nothing for me. Plus they refused to quote me the premium reduction with a Tag installed. sketchy.

my family member works with a big insurance company. He said that the discussion about pushing Tag on the consumer was a way to create a new revenue stream which is why at least in my case they aren’t discounting for my Ghost immobilizer. SMH

 

I just bought a 2020 911 and it already has the TAG etched in the glass. Does anyone know what it costs to transfer to a new owner ?

 

i think that was an elegant solution they came up with, yes it only stops one type of theft, but security is about layers and i though the motion detector in the key was a great one.

 

i got slapped with 1500 surcharge as well, on top of 3k I am already paying for insurance. Infuriating part is that there are no immobilizers compatible with 2024 hybrids, so I’m stuck with the surcharge until any of companies decide to make compatible firmware with hybrids. Apparently cutting off fuel to system doesn’t help, it still lets car drive in electric mode

 

>> Apparently cutting off fuel to system doesn’t help, it still lets car drive in electric mode

Ah yes. Never thought of that.

 

I'm with CAA and I'll be installing the Ghost 2 immobilizer tomorrow at Lockdown Security in Markham. $1399 + HST installed. I checked with CAA on cheaper immobilizers including Keetec Rider and Starline E9 - but neither system will rebate the full $1500 high theft risk security premium. (only $750 for those 2 options)

CAA will apply the $1500 surcharge on any vehicle over $100,000 CAD value and for specific models under $100k that are deemed high risk.

So it's either one time $1580 cost (with tax) for Ghost 2, or additional $1500 every year from now on - or $15,000 if I keep the car 10 years. So it's a no brainer.

Once installed I must submit the invoice and installation certificate to CAA and they take 2-3 weeks to process and then adjust my premium which renews late October so hopefully it will be no additional charges moving forward.

Ghost 2 requires you enter a programmed code sequence using the buttons in the vehicle before starting the car - however you can also connect to your phone or a separately purchased fob that will recognize you via bluetooth so that you do not have to enter the code every time.

When taking the car for service you can set up a valet mode, or provide them the fob in order to start the car.

Of course if you get carjacked at a gas station or something then I guess just make sure they don't take your phone or the extra fob in that case!

I am not particularly happy to be essentially forced to cut into the car electronics and install this system - but it seems to be a quality product and hopefully no unexpected side effects such as battery drain or whatever. If everything works as advertised I will be happy with the extra layer of security it provides. I figure if the car ever got stolen then I will get the minimum payout from CAA based on acquisition cost and with the lux tax now, price increases and everything else, there would be no replacement for me so I don't mind paying for the extra preventative measure.

I also contacted Porsche Canada requesting their position on immobilizers in general and whether they should be doing more to satisfy insurance companies but obviously this is a bigger conversation - I did not get any response.

I also did not get any response regarding whether this could impact the vehicle warranty in any way but I gather this is kind of a grey area. I don't anticipate any issues really, but you never will know for sure until something breaks.

 

I got starline at lockdown, and got full $1500 reduction of premium from CAA. 899+tax, so I saved a bit this year, and whole 1500 next year

 

Ghost has a hijack alarm option. Even with the phone or key fob stolen, the car won’t start if the hijack mode activates.

 

Interesting - I was told initially by CAA they would only do $750 for Starline - thanks for the info, on the phone to CAA now!

What's your experience with the system - any concerns?

 

system occasionally doesn`t sense phone or fob, resolved with pin or opening the app on the phone, otherwise all good.