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Reconsider before you cancel your vehicle tracking service

ARTICLE BY

  • Tracker

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It’s not always the best way to cut expenses 

According to BankservAfrica’s latest Take-Home Pay Index, the number of take-home salaries in South Africa decreased by almost 35% in July compared to the same month in 2019. In addition, a high number of individuals have not been paid a salary or wage throughout the lockdown period. 

This will mean that many South African households are under financial pressure and will have less money for “extras”. It is a good idea to cut down or cut out some expenses such as entertainment, takeaways and unused memberships and subscriptions. However, cutting out expenses such as insurance and financial policies, or your vehicle tracking service, could have greater financial or other consequences. 

There is only a 5-10% chance of recovering a vehicle without a stolen vehicle recovery service. This increases to more than 80% when the vehicle is equipped with a tracker. With crime back to pre-lockdown levels, there is a strong chance that your car could be hijacked or stolen. If things don’t work out in your favour, you could be left with paying for a car you no longer own, in addition to the inconvenience that comes with losing your car. 

However, these days vehicle tracking services can provide much more than only stolen vehicle recovery. They offer solutions which help to care for and protect you and your family. 

Modern vehicle tracking using GPS/GSM technology allows you to personally monitor and track the location of your vehicle via a smartphone app. This way you can proactively check in to ensure that your car and its occupants are safe. 

With more inclusive services, as the driver you are able to share your journey or location with a friend or family member. They are then able to follow your route and know where you are and that you are safe. 

Premium services offer additional benefits. These can include proactive alerts like vehicle movement notifications, notifications on standard risk events like battery disconnection, and zone management that alerts you when you are entering a crime hotspot. 

Other benefits can include impact detection that immediately alerts the control centre in the event the vehicle is involved in an accident as well as the severity of the incident. With certain packages, you also receive an assist button inside the vehicle that can be activated for assistance during a roadside or medical emergency. 

“Today’s tracking services are an ideal solution for motorists looking to protect their vehicle and ensure their personal safety. Also, the more vehicles we track, the safer our country becomes,” says Michael du Preez, Executive: Product and Marketing at Tracker South Africa. “Rather than cancelling your vehicle tracking service during these tough times, consider other ways of saving money, such as carpooling. Otherwise, consider moving to an alternative option that will better suit your budget. Just remember, the cheapest does not always equal the best or the most suitable to your needs.”

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