Frequently Asked Questions / Comments!
The 2007 Sprinter/Crafter cannot be broken into!
Sadly, that·s not true. Using just a small screwdriver, the new Sprinter can be broken into within 30 seconds. We can email you a video if you like. Ring us on 0845 838 0700.
Why use Armaplate - we have a good alarm system?
Maybe so. However, an alarm system rarely acts as a deterrent. It can make a lot of noise, but the alarm will only go off once the break-in has occurred, then the thief will grab what he can and run. You are still then left with the cost of repairing the damaged doors and contents. It would also disturb your sleep along with your neighbour·s sleep and you can·t do anything about it !
We don·t leave anything in at night !
Does the thief know that ? A thief doesn·t see what you leave in your van. Even if there are no items of value, you are still left with the cost of repair to doorskins/locks.
They can still break the window !
Yes this is true. Although they have unfortunately broken the window, the cost of the repair for the window is far cheaper and can be replaced within one hour and possibly no down time is lost. If there are damaged doors to the vehicle, the cost of repairs and paintwork to the doors is expensive, and also the van will be in workshop repair for 2 to 3 days - this can lead to down time and loss of revenue. Irrespective of the above, breaking windows is extremely uncommon since it makes so much noise and attracts unwanted attention.
It·s a Lease/Hire vehicle !
Maybe so, but it is your company·s products that are inside the van that will be taken. Also, it is you who would be liable to pay for any repairs to damaged doors and locks. Most lease companies are happy for their customers to fit any security device to their vehicles.
I just need it on the one door !
Why? If Armaplate is fitted to one door only and not any other, the thief is then automatically attracted to the unprotected doors of the vehicle.
It·s too expensive!
This can depend on what the customer considers to be expensive. If there is a couple of thousands of pounds worth of contents in the vehicle and they are stolen, the customer is then out of pocket. There is then the cost of the repair which again is approx £300-£400 depending on damage, the vehicle will also be off the road for 2 to 3 days, with the resultant loss of revenue.
We have additional locks on the vehicle !
This will not stop any thief. They will often damage original locks, on the off chance the additional locks have not been locked. Hasp & Staple devices can easily be ripped from the doorskin because unlike Armaplate, these devices provide thieves with something substantial to grip with crowbars, etc. The other thing to consider is the fact that thieves have no way of knowing whether or not you have actually activated those additional locks, so they will continue with their attempt to break in. Even if they don·t succeed, you are left with costly repairs to the doors.
They can still pick the lock !
It is highly unlikely that a thief will try to pick a lock! It·s virtually unheard of! There are far easier ways to break into a van (all by the simple use of force).
We are only keeping the vehicle another 6 months then replacing it!
How do you know that you won·t be broken into within that time period? And how many times? Armaplate also adds to the appeal of a second-hand van at the time of sale.
We are insured anyway !
It·s virtually impossible to insure the contents of a working van. Even if you could obtain cover and were willing to pay ridiculously high premiums, just one claim would see the premiums soar to an unbearable level. Also, there would be a very high excess to pay before the insurers repaired the damage.
We will have Armaplate fitted once we get broken into!
Would this not be too late ? The idea of Armaplate is to stop any break-ins to vehicles. Although it would act as a quick repair it is still costing the company money.
If anything gets stolen it doesn·t come out of my budget anyway!
In majority of large companies possibly each department has their own budget, however, there is still the cost of the repairs to the damaged doors within the transport dept and there is then the cost of purchasing new equipment for the workforce from the purchasing department. The repairs and replacement for this break in will still cost the Company money, irrespective of which department foots the bill.
The vehicle is garaged or compounded at night !
Not all break-ins happen at night! And many thieves see garages as an ideal source of cover to protect them from prying eyes while they do their work.
Driver pays for own losses (ie, tools and body repairs)
The company then has the inconvenience of body repairs to the vehicle. While it·s in the bodyshop, the vehicle is off the road 2/3 days, resulting in loss of revenue.
My New Transit has no locks on the side and rear doors, so we don·t need Armaplate do we?
In this situation, the thief normally breaks in a different way. On these vehicles, there is a special locking device behind the doors. Once the thief has broken the door skin with screwdriver/tool etc he can then gain access to the locking device by earthing the electrics. He can then disarm the central locking and alarm system. New Transits can also be broken into by the simple use of a sharp knife!
My New Transit has had a Ford "Recall" Security-Mod, so it doesn·t need any more protection.
Using nothing more than a sharp knife, it was possible to open all the doors on a new-style Transit. Ford modified the wiring to change this, but thieves have no idea whether or not your van has been modified, so they proceed with their attack, causing extremely expensive damage to your wiring loom!
How does Armaplate stop vans from being stolen!
Most modern vehicles are fitted with a manufacturer·s immobiliser which makes it almost impossible to drive the vehicle without the correct key. Armaplate is designed to stop theft from the vehicle, rather than theft of the vehicle. For every van that is stolen, there are approximately another 78 vehicles that are broken into.
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