A vehicle tracker is a long-term service, not a one-off gadget. The device matters, but so do the installation, the platform you use every day, and the support you get when something goes wrong. These questions help you compare providers on the things that make a difference after the sale. Ask them of any provider, including us.
1. What do I actually need the tracker to do?
Start with the problem. If theft is your main worry, you need reliable alerts and remote immobilisation. If you run vehicles for a business, you need trip history, reports and driver behaviour data. If you operate a PSV or a heavy commercial vehicle, you may also need a speed governor, which is a different device. Being clear about the goal stops you paying for features you will not use, and stops you missing the ones you need.
2. Who installs it, and how?
Most trackers are wired into the vehicle's electrical system. A poor installation can cause electrical faults, drain the battery or leave the tracker easy to find and disconnect. Ask who carries out the installation, where it happens, and whether the unit and any immobiliser are tested with you before you drive away.
3. Does it include remote immobilisation?
Immobilisation uses a relay on the starting circuit so the engine can be stopped from restarting by a command from the app. Ask whether the relay is included in the price, how the command is sent, and what safeguards exist. You should understand exactly how and when to use it before you need it.
4. Which alerts will I receive?
Useful alerts include ignition on, leaving a geo-fenced area, over-speeding and loss of power to the tracker. A power-loss or tamper alert is especially important: it tells you someone may be trying to disable the device. Ask to see how alerts arrive and how to change them.
5. Can I see the app before I buy?
You will use the app far more than you will look at the device. Ask for a demonstration. Check that the map is clear, that trip history is easy to replay, and that reports make sense. If you manage several vehicles, ask whether there is a web platform as well as a phone app.
6. What are the total costs, including renewals?
Tracking relies on a mobile data connection and an online platform, so there is usually an ongoing service fee as well as the hardware price. Ask for the full cost in writing: hardware, installation, the first period of service, and what renewal costs. Ask what happens to your tracking if a renewal is missed.
7. What does the warranty cover?
Ask how long the hardware is covered, whether labour is included, what is excluded (for example damage from accidents or unauthorised work), and how to make a claim. Get the terms in writing.
8. Where is support, and when is it available?
When a tracker goes offline or a vehicle is stolen, you need to reach someone quickly. Ask for the support phone number, the opening hours, and whether there is a physical office you can visit. Check what is available outside working hours.
9. Who can see my data, and how is it protected?
Location history is personal data. Under the Kenya Data Protection Act, 2019, providers must handle it lawfully and securely. Ask who can access your vehicle's data, how long trip history is kept, and whether the provider has a privacy notice that explains your rights.
10. Will it grow with me?
If you might add vehicles, drivers, speed governors, dashcams or fuel sensors later, check that they can be added to the same account and platform. Moving a fleet between systems later costs time and money.
Quick checklist
- The problem you are solving is written down
- Installation is by a technician and is tested at handover
- Immobilisation and tamper alerts are included if theft is a concern
- You have seen the app working
- Total cost, including renewals, is confirmed in writing
- Warranty terms are in writing
- Support hours and a physical office are confirmed
- The provider has a privacy notice