The Star System

What is the Star Rating System?

From 1st October 2003 vehicle security products in New Zealand are classified according to a Star Rating system. Alarms and/or immobilisers from registered brands such as AVS will have a rating from 1 Star (suitable for low risk vehicles) through to 5 Star (suitable for high risk/high performance vehicles). The Star Rating system will make it easier for you to identify the correct vehicle security product for your needs.

Who says what Star Rating each product has?

Each star has specific technological requirements such as the number of immobiliser circuits, what sensors are fitted etc. The classification recognizes international standards - Australian/NZ Standards Certification & Thatcham (British Testing House). See below for more information on Standards Certification.

Who says whether a vehicle is low or high risk?

Vehicle models have been classified from low to high risk with information supplied by the Insurance Council of NZ and the NZ Police. This information will be used by insurance companies to classify a vehicle's risk level. Your own insurance record will also be taken into account.

So do I need a Star Rated system?

Each insurance company will stipulate what Star Rating of security system they require for each vehicle. Your own insurance record will also be taken into account. Not all cars will require a Star Rated system.

If you are looking at buying a car talk to your insurance company first. Because each insurance company may classify a vehicle differently check that you can get insurance for the vehicle, what Star Rating security system you need (if any) or if the system currently installed in the car meets your insurance company requirements.

Make sure you are using a registered alarm installer

Star Rated systems must be installed by a registered alarm installer. Registered installers will provide a Certificate of Installation for each job. ALWAYS use a registered installer otherwise insurance can be deemed invalid. Registered installers will carry a photo ID so you can easily identify them.

Is standards certification & Star Rating the same?

The new Star Rating system incorporates the standard certification of NZ/AS and Europe, for example a 3 Star system includes the immobiliser systems standards. AVS is a New Zealand brand so has been classified under the As/NZ standards.

NZ/AS 4601:1999 Rev A (New Zealand/Australian vehicle immobiliser systems standard)

This standard covers vehicle immobiliser systems that must, among many other things, include:

Two normally open immobiliser circuits (if the circuits are normally ‘open' it means the alarm has to be de-activated to ‘close' the circuits. The circuits have to be closed for power to get to that part of the car. So, even if your alarm is tampered with, the immobilisers will stay active & the car will not be able to start)