Corvette Security Systems - Factory/Aftermarket?

[Pitre]

Hi all,

I'm asking for your opinions from across the board having been asked the question by one of our insurers:-

• From a security point of view what sort of anti-theft system(s) does your generation of Corvette have, factory fitted?
• Regarding aftermarket systems, what would you normally consider to be an effective tried and tested option (if any)?

All input/thoughts/experiences appreciated...

 

[Nassau65]

I’ve personally never had any aftermarket system fitted to any corvettes, whether it was personal or bought to sell.
C1 and C2 models had door locks for security C3’ did have an alarm system for doors and hood up until 1977 I think. C4’s from 1986 had the VATS security system incorporated into the key. Later models no idea but factory systems probably got more sophisticated.

 

[Nassau65]

A friend had a “Toad” system fitted to a C3 we sold him soon after he bought it. He liked it.

 

[Steven Smith]

My 86 C4 has a basic factory alarm system, no idea if it works correctly, it went off once when I opened a door last year and VAT's that has been bypassed because it was causing non start issues occasionally.
I have a battery isolator fitted and I remove the key when not in use and I fit a steering wheel lock when parked at home.

 

[Chevrolet]

Hi all,

I'm asking for your opinions from across the board having been asked the question by one of our insurers:-

• From a security point of view what sort of anti-theft system(s) does your generation of Corvette have, factory fitted?
• Regarding aftermarket systems, what would you normally consider to be an effective tried and tested option (if any)?

All input/thoughts/experiences appreciated...

Hi Peter, As you know, we have discussed insurance, including factory/OE & aftermarket security devices/features several/numerous(?) times on here e.g.

Insurance requirements

Just renewed the C5 insurance after getting some much higher than expected quotes. Finally got a decent deal from the broker I've been with for years but when I phoned to pay I was told the underwriter needed a couple of extra security items in order to satisfy the 'theft' part of the policy...

www.corvetteclub.org.uk

Are we allowed to ask which insurer is asking that? On modern (C5 up?) Vettes my first question and presumably insurers is/or should be, Is it Thatcham Cat1 compliant? UK (and Euro mainland?) spec C5s (see above), C6s and C7s are I believe. Don't know if some/all insurers have that recorded/recognised on their databases when they give you a quote? Never had an insurer ask for a aftermarket security device (e.g Tracker) on my UK spec C6 or C7. Can be an odd experience. Remember talking to Aviva years back, for a quote on the C6 and they were asking if the car is a "Stratstone C6 Corvette."

 

[Chevrolet]

Just reading the thread above again, I see that Carlie at APlan/Howden said this/covers the Thatcham bit?

"Bit late to the thread but I've not experienced these devices being requested by insurers and I've worked here nearly 8 years, so may just be that particular insurer's terms - Cat 2 immobiliser, Cat 1 Alarm/Immobiliser or a Cat 5/5s/7/7s Tracker are the norm of what they may request due to value, postcode, not being garaged and various other factors. They may ask what other security measures are in place but many don't make a difference if not a Thatcham Approved mechanism, some will be taken into account such as a removable steering wheel on a kit car that only has an immobiliser but not as a policy requirement."

 

[johng]

My 78 C3 has the factory fitted alarm which is connected to the doors, t-tops and hood

 

[teamzr1]

As the saying goes
Locks are only for honest people
With all the electronics in vehicles today, look at the C8, they also are being stolen with not many problems by the thugs now simply use some electronic device to break in and drive off with it

Not good on vehicles starting like with C4s in always disconnecting the battery as that causes all functions of the engine and auto tranny learned and stored in temp memory to flushed out and that means all the relearns have to be done each time of loss of power

C5s of course has an onboard alarm system that sets the horns going on/off and pissing off the folks close by plug and supposed security of the key FOBs and also the VATs system that all they do is lock out the car owners, but crooks have no problems getting in -)

 

[CaptainK]

I remember back in the day having a modified car with a different engine in it, and tuned up running on a standalone ECU. This was located in the glovebox and was easily removable. It was also fairly small. So when I parked up, I'd take it with me. No chance of anyone starting that car without it (they wouldn't even realise the ECU was missing)

Trying to explain my "genius" car security to the insurers didn't really go too well. Was hoping for a good discount too.

 

[Pitre]

Are we allowed to ask which insurer is asking that?

It's Lancaster Insurance, who are looking at ways of improving/simplifying comms between themselves and our members.

 

[Nassau65]

Anybody remember the old “ crook lock from the 1970’s.“. I suppose it was just a visual deterrent. Two friends had identical capri’s in the late 70’s. Lived in the same road. One had a crook lock one didn’t. The one who didn’t got his capri stolen.

 

[Pitre]

Anybody remember the old “ crook lock from the 1970’s.“. I suppose it was just a visual deterrent. Two friends had identical capri’s in the late 70’s. Lived in the same road. One had a crook lock one didn’t. The one who didn’t got his capri stolen.

Its like any security device, you only have to be more secure than the next person.... No security device is 100% effective. Apart from places like Fort Knox maybe.

 

[C5Steve]

Anybody remember the old “ crook lock from the 1970’s.“. I suppose it was just a visual deterrent. Two friends had identical capri’s in the late 70’s. Lived in the same road. One had a crook lock one didn’t. The one who didn’t got his capri stolen.

My Mum had one of those, which certainly prevented all the heaps she owned form being nicked. I've still got a Disc lock in the garage. As above, anything that will add a bit of time to someone's work in stealing something is a good deterrent.

 

[Roscobbc]

The idea of a removable steering wheel is great if left in the garage and your car has an OEM steering lock. Take the wheel indoors.......tea leaves will have great difficulty getting car out of garage unless they can place a low loader in front of the garage and winch the car up (leave the car on full lock?
Go down the pub, so remove the steering wheel......you're gonna look a real plonker walking around with that......and what if you forget it.....even worse someone nicks it?

 

[C5Steve]

The idea of a removable steering wheel is great if left in the garage and your car has an OEM steering lock. Take the wheel indoors.......tea leaves will have great difficulty getting car out of garage unless they can place a low loader in front of the garage and winch the car up (leave the car on full lock?
Go down the pub, so remove the steering wheel......you're gonna look a real plonker walking around with that......and what if you forget it.....even worse someone nicks it?

There's that great scene in the remake of Gone in 60 Seconds where they defeat a wheel lock by just unbolting the whole wheel and swapping it for one they brought along Where there's the will...

 

[Custom exotics]

In my opinion anything other than a ghost system on a moden vette is a waste of time and money alarms are only good at your home as absolutely nobody else takes any notice of them
Ghost on Any car that's keyless entry and start !!!! And a Faraday bag for keys and spare keys

 

[Nassau65]

I’ve got one of those Disc locks that I use on my daily. Less than a minute to put on or to take off. Just adds to security. The old tea leaf see that and will go find another without one.

 

[C5Steve]

In my opinion anything other than a ghost system on a moden vette is a waste of time and money alarms are only good at your home as absolutely nobody else takes any notice of them
Ghost on Any car that's keyless entry and start !!!! And a Faraday bag for keys and spare keys

Great advice, shame Ghost systems currently don't have any effect on your insurance premium though.

 

[Chevrolet]

In my opinion anything other than a ghost system on a moden vette is a waste of time and money alarms are only good at your home as absolutely nobody else takes any notice of them
Ghost on Any car that's keyless entry and start !!!! And a Faraday bag for keys and spare keys

Good point on the Faraday bag! I'm not familiar with the Ghost. Dumb question? On the basis that your C5 - C8 already has a Thatcham Cat1 Alarm and Immobiliser, what additional security features/functionality is a Ghost giving you? In the above comments from Carly at APlan/Howden, she is saying insurers may ask you to install a Tracker. On the C8 Corvette UK Facebook page that Craig at Ian Allan set up, owners were saying that some insurers were asking/quoting based on a Tracker being installed. Others including Admiral didn't.

 

[Custom exotics]

A ghost is effectively an immobiliser that has an unique set of button presses within the vehicle to switch it off everyone is custom programmed rather than it being a dealer set option of a handful of button presses