January 27th, 2009 by The Rider

Recently, a few people I met in Toronto and GTA decisively would not install an alarm system at home. Especially, they would not pay $30/month for monitoring. The reason they provided made me think and research. Now, really, why would one pay $30/month to an alarm monitoring company in Toronto? If there is loss to home property, insurance would cover. My research and reasoning resulted in the following:

Monitored Alarm system vs. Insurance Coverage

Robbery – attempt to take something of value from another person by use of force, threats or intimidation.

Preventative measures (security system): Whether it is residential or commercial property, a panic (or holdup) button can help. Without making it obvious to the criminal, one can have police show up in minutes.

Reactive measures (insurance policy): If police is not there and you do not have an alarm system to help you, do nor risk your life. Valuable goods are not worth your life. Moreover, if your property and belongings are insured, there is a great potential to get those covered by insurance. Make sure you keep all necessary paper work to prove your loss. Always call police after the criminal is gone. It is also good to have a video surveillance system in action.

Burglary – unlawful entry to commit a theft.

Preventative measures (monitored alarm system): Sound of alarm system often makes burglars retreat in panic. In fact, warning stickers on windows and doors often keep burglars out of your premises. However, there are smart burglars who know ins and outs security systems and are prepared for these challenges. Make sure your alarm system is smarter that those.

Reactive measures (insurance coverage): Hopefully, you are not trapped inside your premises when a burglar comes. It is always better to have an armed and monitored alarm system in place – you can arm it even when you stay inside. Insurance would cover some loss. Again, make sure you have all the paper work, call police and make a report.

Fire – in any circumstance is devastating.

Preventative measures (fire alarm system): In most cases, a properly installed alarm system with fire monitoring will notify fire station before it is too late? Damage to property is possible but usually insignificant. Smoke, CO, gas and heat detectors are required to notify fire station in time. An alarm system that makes early notice of fire allows time to evacuate and/or stop the fire.

Reactive measures (insurance policy):

If there was no fire alarm monitoring in place, the fire truck would come almost always too late. Insurance companies usually cover the loss of up to maximum allowed limits. The owner needs to have a proof of purchase and appropriate value estimates with the company. It would also cover repair of your and neighbours property.

GTA IV – More Jump Fails

January 25th, 2009 by The Rider

One of the major risks of motorcycles is theft, causing the increase of motorbike insurance all the time. A good preventative measure is to fit your vehicle with security in order to reduce your insurance cost and to deter thieves from trying to steal your pride and joy.

Security devices generally come in different categories ranging from 1 to 5 (1 being the best and most expensive). Below is a list of the category description:

Cat 1: Electronic alarm and immobiliser combined system

Cat 2: Electronic immobiliser (Upgradeable to Cat.1 with an alarm system)

Cat 3: Mechanical device such as a lock or chain

Cat 4: Wheel locking devices

Cat 5: After-theft systems, such as trackers or datatagging.

Each product is reviewed every 12 months, so the category may depend on the age of the system fitted to your vehicle. Although an alarm and immobiliser may start life as a Cat.1 system, after 12 months it may not be considered to be at this level.

The most effective type of security is locks, chains and especially disk locks. Cat. 3/4 devices or physical devices cause the most problems to thieves as they make the bike immobile when anchored. Rather than an electronic system that is reliant on power, mechanical devices can also be the cheapest to buy, although they are perhaps the most effective.

Many insurers do not offer huge discounts when considering security on a motorbike insurance policy, especially when you compare the cost of the security system to the amount of discount on the insurance. Although, many insurers may make the security a condition of the policy, they will not provide a price without a certain category security system fitted to the vehicle; this can be in relation to the value of the vehicle.

An average Cat. 1 alarm and immobiliser system could set you back as much as 350.00 pounds including fitting. These types of systems can include functions such as an alert to your mobile phone if your bike thinks it is being stolen, or a proximity sensor when someone might get too close to your vehicle. Quite often, an alarm and immobiliser such as this may be included and fitted when purchasing a new vehicle.

Many major manufacturers fit a standard immobiliser to their newer models, manufacturers such as Honda, Kawasaki or Yamaha fit newer vehicles with an ignition security system. Manufacturers such as Peugeot fit many of their newer scooters with mechanical security known as a Boa Lock, which can be pulled out from the rear of the vehicle and secured to an anchor point; all in an effort to reduce the cost of your motorbike insurance, as scooters are the most common type of vehicle to be stolen.

The most effective type of security that will always bring cheaper motorbike insurance quotes is a secure brick built garage. Most insurers can give such a large discount for this that the insurer may add an endorsement to your policy, to state that the vehicle must always be kept in your garage whilst at the home address.

Cat. 5 devices (After-theft products) include devices such as trackers, or tagging systems such as alpha dot or datatagging. These devices are designed to recover the vehicle after a theft has taken place. Although tagging systems normally cost between 30 pounds and 60, pounds tracking systems can be very expensive, in addition to the initial cost of the system you will also have a monthly subscription cost to keep the service running.

Motorcycle security is always a good idea; everything helps against the theft of your vehicle. Insurers will always help by reducing the cost of your insurance in accordance with the type of security fitted and where the vehicle is kept at the home address.

About the Author:

Anna Stenning provides advice on motorbike insurance, having had lots of experience dealing with the security of her motorbike. For more information on various insurance policies for your bike click on http://www.insureyourbike.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – How Good Motorcycle Security Means Cheaper Insurance

The fastest bike

January 24th, 2009 by The Rider

Kawasaki GPZ500 S 2001 Y HPId £1 Start GPZ 500