Vehicle Tracking & Insurance

Netstar vehicle tracking

Written by Daniel Pretorius Insurance Content Editor Reviewed by Nomsa Dlamini RE5 qualified · 12 years in short-term insurance Updated 28 July 2026 Our editorial standards →

Netstar is one of South Africa's long-established vehicle tracking and telematics providers, part of the Altron group. For drivers, an approved tracker matters because many insurers require one on higher-risk cars and may reward it with a lower premium.

How does Netstar tracking affect my car insurance?

Netstar offers stolen vehicle recovery and telematics across a range of packages, from basic recovery-focused units to app-connected tracking with driving insights. Because it appears on most South African insurers' approved lists, fitting a Netstar device can help satisfy a policy requirement and, in many cases, reduce what you pay for comprehensive cover. It suits drivers who want a well-established recovery brand with a national footprint and the flexibility to add telematics features later on.

Netstar features

GPS and GSM tracking with stolen vehicle recovery support
Dedicated recovery teams that coordinate with the SAPS and private response
A mobile app for locating your vehicle and viewing trip history
Tiered packages, from basic recovery to fuller telematics
Driver-behaviour and trip data on higher-end plans
Professional fitment with a certificate insurers can accept

Pros

Widely recognised and accepted on most insurers' approved-device lists
Established recovery infrastructure and national footprint
Choice of packages to match budget and cover requirements
Backed by a large listed group

Things to check

Ongoing subscription is required to keep cover and recovery active
The most useful features sit on the pricier plans

Trackers and your insurance premium

In South Africa, many insurers insist on an approved tracking device before they will cover higher-risk vehicles - usually expensive models or those that feature often on hijacking and theft lists. A Netstar unit that sits on the insurer's approved list, professionally fitted with a valid fitment certificate, can satisfy that requirement and may earn you a lower premium. Because a tracked car is far more likely to be recovered, the insurer carries less risk and often passes some of that saving on. Keep the subscription active, though: if the device is dormant or the account has lapsed when a theft happens, it can complicate a claim. Tracking is only one of many rating factors, so the smartest move is to compare quotes from several insurers and see exactly how a Netstar fitment changes the price for your specific car.

Frequently asked questions

Do insurers accept Netstar as an approved tracker?

Netstar is one of the most widely recognised tracking brands in South Africa and appears on most insurers' approved-device lists. It is always worth confirming with your specific insurer, as each keeps its own list and may specify a particular package for certain vehicles.

Will fitting a Netstar tracker lower my car insurance?

It often can. A recovery device reduces the insurer's risk, which can translate into a discount or a lower premium. The saving varies by insurer and vehicle, so compare quotes with the tracker fitted to see the real effect on your price.

Is a tracker compulsory with Netstar?

Netstar is optional in general, but your insurer may make an approved tracker a condition of cover for higher-risk cars. If it is a policy requirement, driving without an active, fitted device could affect a future claim.

Other tracking providers

A tracker can lower your premium

Many insurers reward an approved tracking device with a lower premium. Compare car insurance quotes and see what you could save.

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