The simple answer to whether car trackers can be jammed is yes, some can, but professional, insurance-approved systems cannot. While basic GPS signals are vulnerable to jamming devices, modern vehicle trackers are specifically engineered with advanced technology to counteract these methods, ensuring your vehicle remains secure. If you're looking for peace of mind, exploring options like our S7 trackers is a great first step.
Why Insurance Providers Require Vehicle Trackers
It's becoming more common for car insurance providers to make an approved vehicle tracker a standard requirement for new or renewed policies. This might seem like an unexpected expense, but there is a clear reason for this trend. These sophisticated tracking devices are the most effective security measure against increasingly savvy car thieves, offering a reliable way to recover a stolen vehicle.
When your insurer requests a "Stolen Vehicle Recovery Tracker," they are referring to a specific category of GPS tracker. However, they often provide little guidance on which models meet their criteria. The key is that these systems are designed not just to track, but to actively defend against common theft techniques, including signal jamming.
How Modern Trackers Defeat Jamming Attempts
The effectiveness of an insurance-approved tracker lies in its multi-layered security features. Unlike simple GPS devices, these systems are built to detect and report any form of tampering.
Advanced Alert Systems
All Thatcham-approved vehicle trackers are designed to identify any effort to disable them. They are equipped with multiple alerts that trigger if a thief attempts to interfere with the device. These include:
• Tracker Disconnect: An alert is sent if the tracker is unplugged from its power source.
• Battery Tamper: The system detects if the vehicle’s main battery is disconnected.
• Unauthorised Movement: If the vehicle is moved without the authorised driver tag present, an alert is triggered.
These alerts are sent instantly to a dedicated 24/7 monitoring centre. A trained professional will then immediately contact you to verify the vehicle's status and, if theft is confirmed, begin coordinating with the police for a swift recovery.
Multi-Network Technology
A common concern is that thieves can use a GPS or GSM jammer to block the tracker's signal. However, modern insurance-approved trackers are prepared for this. They utilise multi-roaming SIM cards that can switch between different mobile networks, ensuring a stable connection.
Furthermore, they don't rely solely on the GPS satellite network. By using multiple satellite constellations (like GLONASS and Galileo), they maintain an accurate location fix even if one network is compromised. This resilience makes them incredibly difficult to block. A popular method of theft today, known as a "Relay Attack," involves thieves capturing your key fob's signal to unlock your car. An approved tracker with Automatic Driver Recognition (ADR) identifies this type of theft immediately, as the car is started without the authorised driver tag inside.
What is the Best Anti-Jamming Tracker Technology?
For those who want the highest level of security against signal jamming, trackers that incorporate Very High Frequency (VHF) technology are the ultimate solution. While GPS/GSM systems are robust, VHF offers an additional layer of protection that is virtually impossible for thieves to defeat.
The Power of VHF Technology
VHF is a unique tracking frequency that cannot be blocked by the GPS/GSM jammers that thieves typically use. This means that even if a criminal manages to compromise the primary tracking signals, the VHF beacon continues to transmit your vehicle's location.
This technology is so effective that it can transmit a signal even if the vehicle is hidden underground, in a shipping container, or in a concrete garage. The signal can be detected by police helicopters and patrol cars, making recovery highly likely.
If you're concerned about sophisticated theft methods, systems like the S7 trackers offers comprehensive protection. It combines advanced GPS/GSM technology with the impenetrable security of VHF, ensuring your vehicle is always trackable.
Choosing a Dedicated Anti-Jamming Tracker
For some owners, particularly those who have previously been victims of theft where a signal was blocked, a dedicated anti-jamming solution is preferred. The Tracker S7 Monitor is designed specifically for this purpose, relying solely on VHF technology for its core tracking function.
While this device does not include a user-facing app for daily location viewing, it excels at its primary mission: ensuring your vehicle can be recovered. It operates silently in the background, ready to be activated by the control room and police in the event of a theft. It provides uncompromising security for those whose main priority is theft recovery.
You Can Trust Modern Tracking Systems
The technology behind vehicle tracking has advanced significantly, which is why it has become a trusted tool for insurance providers and vehicle owners alike. They are highly effective at preventing theft and ensuring recovery.
Most thieves today rely on speed and stealth, using relay attacks to gain entry and quickly drive the vehicle away. They will often leave it in a hidden but accessible location for 24-48 hours to see if a tracker alerts the owner. If no one comes to recover it, they assume it's safe to move.
An insurance-approved tracker foils this plan from the start. However, if you have lingering concerns about professional thieves using jammers or concealing your vehicle in a metal container, a system with VHF technology provides the ultimate countermeasure. To learn more about which tracker is right for you, feel free to contact our expert team for advice on the best S7 trackers for you.