No matter what car you use, old or new, a GPS-tracking device is a must! There are so many companies available to choose from in South Africa but how will you know if you're making the right choice?
Vehicle tracking companies offer similar services with varying degrees of success, but ultimately, the decision is yours to make.
We know that finding one that best suits your needs is not easy, so to help you narrow down the search, we have compiled 5 top questions to ask a vehicle tracking company before signing up.
Imagine signing up for a vehicle tracking service only to realise that you made the wrong decision. This is a mistake you don’t want to make, so it is important to research before it is too late. The process might be a bit tedious; however, if you approach it with the right questions, you will head in the right direction.
Here are the top 5 questions to ask any vehicle tracking company before sealing the deal:
GPS tracking unit prices generally range from R69 to R220 a month. They vary depending on the sophistication of the device and features. The cheapest offer is obviously budget-friendly, but what you get out of it might not be what you truly need. For example, some companies only offer location-based tracking as their cheapest service. This means that you can see where your car is at all times but should it be stolen, they will not help you retrieve it. Living in South Africa requires you to go for a package that includes stolen vehicle recovery services.
A good vehicle tracking company will give you two or more payment options. For example, at Cartrack, you can choose between a cash contract and a rental contract. Both options have key benefits; cash is better for people who prefer to pay a lump sum upfront to avoid long-term commitments, while a rental contract is more flexible and budget-friendly. Find out the fine details of how both work so you can pick the best option for your situation. In addition, ask about any other extra costs you might need to cover in the future.
In order to install a tracking unit, the vehicle must be parked in a discreet location so that no one sees where it is placed. For this reason, most vehicle tracking companies offer installation services through fitment centres and branch locations. A good vehicle tracking company should have fitment centres available nationwide, and not only in the major cities. They should also give you the option of having the installation done in the comfort of your home.
In addition, keep in mind that most vehicle tracking companies require you to pay an installation fee, in some cases ranging from about R1500-R2500, but at Cartrack, we give you free installation.
Vehicle tracking companies not only keep an eye on the location of one’s car, but also offer several other services such as roadside assistance, legal assistance, medical assistance, and accident detection. These features are there to enhance safety and convenience. Find out what other services the company offers, as it is better to have all your car-related services coming from the same provider.
Some places have less network coverage than others and this is another element you need to look into. Cartrack’s vehicle tracking system gives you nationwide network coverage, and when you are in an area with little or no coverage, the unit will continue to record up to 5000 data points (location, speed, etc.). This ensures that your car’s location is never out of sight when you are driving in the middle of nowhere.
Still curious about the full scope of a tracking company's offerings? Delve deeper with these questions:
The success rate of a vehicle tracking company is a very important factor. You need to ensure you are connected with providers boasting high success rates in vehicle retrieval. In the event that the stolen or hijacked vehicle cannot be recovered, how can the company help you? It’s better to choose a company that offers a recovery warranty because the outcome is not always favourable.
The standard features of a stolen vehicle recovery service are:
A favourable GPS tracking company is one that acts quickly when you need assistance. Not only through emergency phone calls but also when you have a query. So how do you know if they are reliable? The best way is through word of mouth or online reviews. Check their trust index rating on websites such as Hello Peter and compare.
The system should be straightforward with an app and website that are designed to be easy to use and understandable to the average person. The user experience should cater for differences in tech savvness and be more focused on convenience.
Are you ready to join the industry leaders of vehicle tracking? If you are, then you have made the right decision. Over the past 20 years, Cartrack has played a significant role in saving many lives, and recovering stolen vehicles. We have an externally audited recovery rate of approximately 90%, the highest vehicle tracking trust index on Hello Peter, and were voted The Star’s Best Vehicle Tracking Company for 2023 in the Readers’ Choice Awards.
If you still need more convincing, here are more reasons to sign up with us. We offer:
Unlike others, our cheapest payment plan still gives you access to Stolen Vehicle Recovery services, plus we offer free installations. In the unfortunate event that your car is stolen, you will feel more at ease knowing that our 24-hour control room agents and skilled air and ground recovery teams are always on standby, and ready to get it back to you.
See your vehicle’s location at all times through the Cartrack mobile app and get real-time updates. The Cartrack mobile app and website can give you smart map views of your vehicle at any time. For example, if you lend someone your car, you will see through the mobile app where that person is and how he/she is driving.
Our advanced vehicle tracking unit supports international roaming. In the case that your car is stolen and smuggled out of the country, we will still be able to locate your vehicle and recover it. This option depends on the package you choose.
Create virtual boundaries around areas of your choice so you can get alerts whenever your car enters or exits those areas. This feature can be used for high-risk zones or any other place that you would want to get alerts on.
Nowadays, criminals use signal jammers to block the network, making it difficult for most vehicle tracking companies to find your car. But with Cartrack, this is not an issue as we have advanced anti-jamming technology that will keep us in touch with your car’s location even when the thieves try to block the signal.
Get a virtual car guard to alert you whenever your parked car moves without your permission. Switch on the feature on the mobile app every time you park your car, and we will quickly notify you of any unauthorised movement.
Cartrack’s Protector solution is a value-added service that ensures that you are never left stranded on the road. Get 24-hour access to roadside assistance, medical assistance, and legal assistance. All you need to do is push a button on the mobile app.
The moment your car is in an accident our smart IoT (Internet of Things) device notifies us so we can immediately dispatch emergency response services and inform your emergency contacts.
In the unlikely event that your car cannot be found, Cartrack has a limited recovery warranty of up to R150 000 that you can claim in cash to help replace your vehicle. Ts & Cs apply.
Signing up with us is a quick and easy process. You get peace of mind and some certainty about the safety of your vehicle.
Cartrack is the leading force in stolen vehicle recovery and is trusted by over 2 million subscribers. We provide all the tools you need to keep you and your family safe on the road. If you want to sign up, contact us today and we’ll have an expert to answer all your questions.
Q: How do companies track their vehicles?
A: Companies use tracking devices to keep an eye on vehicle locations and monitor driver behaviour. Vehicle tracking systems use GPS technology to gather location data from the tracking device installed in the vehicle. This data is transferred to a server, processed, and then made easy for companies to access and understand by way of a website or app.
Q: What information do car tracking devices give?
A: Vehicle tracking devices give the following information:
Q: What is the purpose of a vehicle tracking system?
A: The purpose of a vehicle tracking system is to provide vehicle owners with location information and other data such as driving behaviour, vehicle diagnostics, and engine health.
Q: What is a vehicle tracking plan?
A: A “vehicle tracking plan" is a strategy outlining how a company will use a vehicle tracking system to monitor the location and activity of its fleet vehicles, typically utilising GPS technology, to optimise routes, improve efficiency, enhance security, and gain insights into driver behaviour, all to manage the fleet more effectively and reduce costs.
Contact us today and cast your worries away!
Find out the right questions to ask before signing up for a vehicle tracking company.
