Vehicle asset protection (VAP) combines vehicle tracking technology with theft recovery assistance and insurance benefits. It includes a telematics tracking device fitted to the vehicle, 24/7 monitoring by a control room, active recovery assistance in the event of theft, and often financial benefits such as covering the theft excess or providing a replacement vehicle.

Insurance-linked vehicle tracking can reduce your comprehensive car insurance premium (many insurers offer discounts for tracked vehicles), improve theft recovery rates (tracked vehicles are recovered more frequently), and provide telematics data for usage-based insurance pricing. FSCA-regulated VAP products combine these benefits in a single product.

Some vehicle finance agreements under the National Credit Act require fitment of a tracking device as a condition of the finance agreement, especially for high-value or high-risk vehicles. This protects the financier's security interest in the vehicle. Vehicle asset protection products often satisfy this requirement while providing additional consumer benefits.

The insurance component of VAP products (theft recovery financial benefits, excess cover, replacement vehicle) is regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) under the Short-term Insurance Act. The tracking service component may also be regulated. Confirm your provider holds a valid FSCA Financial Services Provider (FSP) licence before purchasing.