Is your tracking company tracking you correctly?

A tracking company is “tracking you correctly” if your device is:

• Installed to your car insurer’s requirements
• Active (subscription/service live)
• Working (signals + battery/power health)
• Supported (24/7 control room + recovery capability)
• Configured (alerts, early-warning / arming where applicable)

SAPS quarterly stats continue to report thousands of carjackings per quarter — so it’s worth checking your setup now, not after something goes wrong.

Most trackers use a combination of technologies, commonly including:

• GPS (location)
• Cellular/GSM (sending data through mobile networks)
• Radio Frequency (RF) (useful for recovery in challenging conditions)
• Early-warning features (alerts and arming/activation rules, depending on the device and insurer)

Some insurers are explicit about device types (for example, RF and “early-warning” categories) and the fact that devices can be tampered with, which is why requirements may be stricter for certain vehicles.

What to do:
Ask your tracking provider (or insurer) which category your device falls into, and whether it matches what your policy expects.

A reliable tracker isn’t just “there”. It’s detectable, healthy, and testable.

From an insurance perspective, the risk is simple: if the device wasn’t working or the service wasn’t active at the time of loss, you can land in a claim dispute — especially for theft/hijack conditions where a tracker is required. Insurer FAQ language is often very clear on this point.

Your 60-second reliability check

• Can your tracking company confirm your device is online right now?
• Is the subscription active (paid and linked to the correct vehicle)?
• When last was the device tested (and can you get proof by email/SMS)?
• Do you know what triggers an offline alert (and who receives it)?

Good tracking isn’t only for recovery after the fact. It’s also about early warning.

Depending on your device and service, you may be able to receive:

• “Vehicle moved” alerts
• Power interruption / battery alerts
• Geofence notifications (home, work, school)
• High-risk area or route deviation alerts (service dependent)

If you’re not receiving any alerts (and you expected to), don’t assume it’s fine — confirm your notification settings and whether your package includes those features.

Some modern tracking services can detect an impact or trigger an emergency workflow. Miway also offers support features designed to get help to you if you can’t call.

Ask your provider:

• Do you have 24/7 monitoring?
• What’s the emergency escalation path if I don’t answer?
• What’s your average dispatch / response time in my area?

If you break down in an unfamiliar place, the practical value of a properly working tracker is simple: accurate location. That can speed up roadside help and reduce the time you spend exposed.

A simple “Do / Don’t”

DO

1. Test your tracker (and keep proof).
2. Confirm your subscription is active.
3. Set up movement/power/geofence alerts.
4. Update your contact numbers on the tracking profile.
5. Know the emergency number and escalation steps.

DON’T 

1.      Assume “installed” means “working”.

2.      Ignore offline / power alerts.

3.      Wait until renewal to check compliance.

4.      Share app logins casually (treat them like banking details).

5.  Leave settings unconfigured “for later”.

Want peace of mind that your cover and tracker requirements line up? Chat to Miway for a quick check on what your policy expects — and get a quote that suits the way you drive and live.