Theft Prevention of Your Generator: Top Questions Answered

The most effective physical barrier to prevent generator theft is usually a steel cage, secured further by a connected concrete foundation. You can also just place the generator in a locked structure like a shed, but you must ensure there’s decent airflow to avoid the buildup of carbon monoxide, and the shed must be quite a distance away from your home.

Fuel monitoring is considered a security feature because syphoning and fraud are genuine concerns in a fleet business. When you have fuel monitoring through a fleet management platform, you can quickly identify unusual drops in fuel levels or mismatched transactions through detailed reports.

No, the generator doesn’t need to be switched on in order for you to track it. The asset tracking device works on its own and doesn’t need to use the power from the generator. It also has a battery life of up to 5 years.

Yes, “branding” your generator can help prevent theft. Doing this makes your generator easily recognisable, which then makes it more difficult for criminals to sell your stolen asset. A logo, name, or number tells anyone in the secondhand market that the asset they’re getting is likely stolen.

The top ways to prevent theft of your generators are to:

• Add a tracking device to your generator, preferably one that operates on a radio frequency like the Cartrack Tag. This ensures consistent tracking and coverage even in the most remote areas.

• Keep your generators in a closed and secure structure, like a metal cage, shed, or warehouse. If it’s a permanent asset, ensure it’s bolted down and secured with a concrete foundation.

• Mark your generators with a logo, brand name, or number to deter thieves or make it harder for them to sell your asset.

• Ensure that the structures your generators are in have surveillance.

Yes, installing a tracking device can lower generator insurance premiums. Insurers typically reward extra safety measures, especially because it suggests that you’re effectively enforcing risk management. A lower premium is not 100% guaranteed, but it’s very likely.

Yes, Cartrack’s system and tracking for generators are effective. Our Cartrack Tag:

• Pings every 40 seconds, consistently updating our control room and making it easier for our retrieval team to locate it if it’s been stolen

• Is unaffected by signal jamming

• Is self-powered & lasts for about 3-5 years

• Is wireless

• Is extremely discreet, making it harder for criminals to find or even notice

Cartrack Tag tracking is from R59.00 to R79.00, depending on your payment and subscription choice. There may also be an upfront payment of R799.00 if you go the cash route.

We suggest that you test your generator’s tracking and security hardware at least every three months. At Cartrack, you’re welcome to call our team to test your hardware and ensure it’s still operating optimally, especially considering that the Tag insights aren’t visible via the app.

The payment terms for Cartrack’s tracking solutions are as follows:

• You can pay in cash, which means you pay the full price for the tracking unit, but you won’t have to worry about higher monthly fees and contractual agreements.

• You can go the rental route (a common option amongst our customers), taking a 36-month contract with no upfront costs.