Immobilizer

[Crazy Canuck]

So I just got a letter from my insurance company stating that my 24 Denali HD was high risk for theft and if I didn't install an aftermarket immobilizer with a pin or code that I would have to pay a $1,500 theft surcharge on to of my renewal premium.  Anyone have advice on what I should look for?  I imagine I would lose both my remote start with the fob or the app?

[CamGTP]

Get a different insurance company?

 

I've never heard of that before. My family owns 2 newer Kia/Hyundai cars and have no high risk for theft and I live somewhat close to Minneapolis.

[Crazy Canuck]

I am going to look around for sure.  I went these guys as they were quite a bit cheaper than my previous supplier.  I'm Canada so afraid if one is doing it, they all will be as insurance is quite regulated here.

[CamGTP]

Just seems so odd that they say your truck is a theft risk. Sure it costs a lot but with the new computer systems for 2024's, you'd think they'd be really hard to steal without a key.

[bruceb58]

2 hours ago, CamGTP said:

Get a different insurance company?

Exactly what I would do.

[chwilliams]

"Tell me you don't want my business without telling me you don't want my business."

[ManyCamaroz]

A coworker's SIlverado was stolen several months ago in Houston. Security camera footage showed them roll up at 4:56am and roll out 5 minutes later. They used some electronic device to flash and reprogram the computer.

[rdonarski]

Wow, it's a sad world out there! I live in N WI. I monitor boat landings. A couple weeks ago I noticed a guy left his keys in the ignition in his truck when he went out on the lake. Clearly, he isn't concerned about theft. I'm sure there is plenty of crime up here but nowhere near as much as the big cities.

[Another JR]

Immobilizers involve cutting into the ignition control wiring of your truck. They inherently add several failure modes both due to the cut wiring and the device itself that reduce the reliability of your truck. I use my truck for remote camping and would not want this.  I’d be finding a new insurance company. 

[vucelick]

Not to mention likely void any warranty you may have.

[Crazy Canuck]

Ya, I have been thinking about the warranty and potential for problems.  I made a couple of calls today and two other insurance companies i spoke with seem to be as much or more as the one I am with when you add in their surcharge.  A guy I am golfing with tomorrow is a broker, I am going to ask his opinion as well.

[MTU Alum]

These 2024s have the latest cybersecurity from GM.  There is a central gateway module right behind the serial data port.   It's very difficult to hack the newer trucks.  

[rdonarski]

Cutting into the wiring would be a hard no for me. I did that one time to a new truck and ended up regretting it. 

[Handy]

I got a new 2024 2500HD last year and was shocked to get full insurance through Costco, American Family Connect, for $310 per six months.  It is less than what they are charging me for my 2013 Tahoe worth 10% of what the Silverado is worth.  I was stunned and told the person they must have made a mistake.  They said no, the rates are lower because of all the safety features on the new trucks.  However, State Farm wanted twice as much money so not all the insurance companies agreed.  The Costco insurance company stopped writing new policies in California last year but I was able to add the new truck because I already had existing policies with them.  I would not add the device your company is suggesting.  My 2005 Silverado was stolen 2 years ago so theft is on my mind.  I decided to just pull the starter fuse in the new truck when I feel at risk.  I also got a Faraday box and bag to protect the key fobs on a suggestion from a post on this site.  In fact, the Faraday bag has allowed me to hide an extra key fob on the truck as a hide-a-key.  I do remote camping in Baja and all this electronic stuff makes me nervous about sudden failure, so the hide-a-key has always been an important backup.

[Another JR]

Foil works just as well as any “Faraday” bag or box. If all you are doing is stashing a key for emergencies foil covered by Saran wrap is fool proof and essentially free. I can understand if you are using the hidden fob regularly you might want to pay for a zipper pouch.  
 

My Toyota fobs have a button push sequence to turn the fob off so it can’t be activated or used by a hacker. I don’t know if the GM fobs have a similar feature. 

Edited May 24, 2024 by Another JR