Company Information
Gap security
In 1990 car crime reached epidemic proportions. Norwich
Union experienced massive losses as one of the only companies
insuring the latest affordable high-performance car—the
RS Cosworth. Norwich Union paid out over £1 million in claims
that year. Something had to change. Either NU stopped insuring
this model or security of a very high level was needed.
Few insurance companies understand vehicle security, relying
on an independent organisation called Thatcham for advice.
In 1993 Thatcham devised a programme to test all security
systems. If the system passed their scrutiny it would be
included on to the Thatcham listing of approved systems.
Backed by the ABI (Association of British Insurers) every
UK insurer received a copy of the list and used it to recommend
the right choice of security immobiliser.
The Thatcham list is published quarterly and new products
are constantly being added to the list. However, it wasn't
long before the insurance companies again started to experience
losses, this time from vehicles with Thatcham products fitted.
The criminal mind had caught up with the advance in technology.
It was the installation of the security system that was
seen as the problem. The VSIB (Vehicle Security Installation
Board) was established to test the quality of the installation,
which had a dramatic bearing on the effectiveness of the
system.
Insurance companies began stipulating that only Thatcham-approved
systems should be fitted by VSIB-accredited installers.
The combination worked. Non-approved installers were still
fitting many Thatcham products. This resulted in the insurance
companies not honouring certain claims. With over 200 approved
products on the market, with as many approved installers,
which system is best for your car?
Who is best qualified to carry out the installation? Bending
to pressure from major insurance companies and vehicle security
manufacturers, a team of experts was established to provide
a national help service—Gap Security. Since its launch in
January 1998, over 300 insurance brokers, intermediaries
and direct insurers have been actively promoting Gap Security,
with fantastic results.
Gap Security employ a team of skilled engineers who work
to the VSIB seal of approval, which is now helping to reduce
UK car crime figures. Using Gap Security will ensure you
receive the most competitive insurance quotation with the
added peace of mind that your vehicle is safe and secure.
Backup service
All the alarm systems available on this site are fitted
by Gap security the leading suppliers of car security devices
to the UK insurance industry.
Gap have a team of 12 industry-trained engineers who are
on the road to fit anything from a basic Category 2 immobiliser
to a full-blown military-frequency transmitting TrakBak
vehicle location system.
The systems are high-quality Thatcham-approved GT Auto
Alarms, as fitted to Mercedes and Porsche by many main franchised
dealers, but with the benefit of GAP's unrivalled back-up
service.
In the unlikely event of anything going wrong at a later
date, GAP engineers are available 24 hours a day, 364 days
a year to get you mobile and protected as quickly as possible.
Both systems and installation are guaranteed for life, with
GAP engineers all too aware that any future problems will
be caused by poor installation. That's why they fit their
systems right the first time.
GAP engineers don't cut corners, soldering all connections
into your vehicle's wiring loom and protecting them with
melted plastic covers. They also pay extra attention when
it comes to sensibly locating cables and fitting the electronic
components away from anything that could inflict damage
or premature wear. Sensors are protected with graphite grease—another
simple step that keeps the system working as well as it
can all the time.
GAP are so confident that their installations will protect
your car they even promise to pay any theft excess if someone
manages to steal your GAP-protected car!
